I sink!
Dory_42
Posts: 3,578 Member
I got in the pool for the first proper swim of the year as I have been focusing on other forms of training this year. Summer peeking around the corner always draws me back to the water though. I know I'm fitter than I have been in a long time, but today reminded me that it is not swimming fit. I will make a point of swimming at least once a week to get better in time for ocean racing season in October, but I have fallen in love with my combination of mma style fitness and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to complement my fencing so I don't see myself getting to the pool more than once or twice a week.
The biggest shock to me was that I seem to have lost a large amount of my natural buoyancy. Floating used to be the easiest thing ever, I had to fight to get under the water and now, if I am not consciously trying to float, I just sink. I have lost 12kgs this year, but also toned my body hugely so I know there is lots of muscle under the layer of fat I still have. Aparrently it really is heavier than fat!
Very bitter sweet moment as I'm proud of what I have achieved, but I loved my buoyancy.
The biggest shock to me was that I seem to have lost a large amount of my natural buoyancy. Floating used to be the easiest thing ever, I had to fight to get under the water and now, if I am not consciously trying to float, I just sink. I have lost 12kgs this year, but also toned my body hugely so I know there is lots of muscle under the layer of fat I still have. Aparrently it really is heavier than fat!
Very bitter sweet moment as I'm proud of what I have achieved, but I loved my buoyancy.
0
Replies
-
For me, zip fins helped me get a proper planer form such that I now only use them for kick board laps. Feet don't drop any more.
Tucking your chin can help too. If your head is up, your hips will drop.0 -
Congrats!0
-
Hey there Cap!
If memories serves me right, the last time you were on here you were swimming with seals and all sorts. Was that you!?
For me it's the opposite. Want to do abit more of the dryland stuff.
I don't have natural buoyancy either. Guess my weight is more muscle and bones and less fat.
But as Gutzy put it, focusing very deliberately on body position, butt and feet high up in the water, and ensuring your breathing out fully to reduce the buoyancy of the upper body in relation to the lower, will go a long way to help the situation.
Since a lot of the buoyancy will flow from your ability to retain proper position throughout the swim which requires you to be "swim fit", as your swim fitness comes back, so will your buoyancy!0 -
Yip, swimming with seals is me. I have to wear my wetsuit then so buoyancy is affected. I don't really struggle when I am actually swimming, but rather when I stop moving, I used to just float without effort and now I find as soon as I stop moving I sink immediately. Thanks for the tips though, I will keep aware of them as I know I will keep replacing fat with muscles with all my other training (I do fencing, mma fitness, weights and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu these days)0
-
Breath in = float
Breath out = sink
Give it a try!
0
This discussion has been closed.