Swimming for exercise

amjenkins2447

I have an opportunity to start swimming now so my thought was to do my gym routine MWF and swim T, TH. I haven't swam like this in years. What's the best way to get started again?

Thanks!

lorrpb

Just start swimming and build up your distance over time. Some pools have stroke improvement classes for adults who already know how to swim. They can help improve the efficiency of your strokes so you get more out of each stroke and can learn ones that you might not know very well. They also give you drills to build up your endurance. Have fun! I just started back last week.

subakwa

Pyramid sets are great for starting out and progressively stretching yourself.

Start with 2 lengths, then have a rest of 1-2 mins, then 4 lengths, rest, 6 lengths, rest etc until you reach your target then reverse the sequence. Gets you warmed up, gets distance in and breaks up the effort. You can tailor it to your capability by adding in strokes or sprint lengths, and doing it as slow or as hard as suits.

middlehaitch

@subakwa thanks so much for that nice simple pyramid.
I desperately want swimming to be my summer routine but have never got past 2lengths, few second rest, 2lengths, etc.
Taking a proper rest between the 2 and pyramiding up and down will, I think, really help me progress (now I have got past my fear of deep pools).

Silly I never thought of applying what I do when training to walk a 10k race to the pool.

Cheers, h.

lorrpb

Also consider rotating among the various strokes every 1-2 laps. I find it helps endurance and keeps it interesting.

lizandrashaw

You can also do interval training. We used to do 50s on the 60. So every 60 seconds, you started a new 50 meter swim. Here are some more interval ideas: http://dailyroutinefitness.com/interval-training-workouts/swimming-interval-training/

BrianSharpe

Do you have a specific goal in mind?

You may want to find a program that focuses on good technique first, my swimming sucks and I'm doing a coached program through my tri club.

STEVE142142

There's a great website for swimming. It's called 0 - 1650 just do a Google search on it.

It'll work you from literally nothing to a mile in 6 to 8 weeks. Also it has a lot of great alternate workouts there too

Alisonswim46

http://ruthkazez.com/SwimWorkouts/ZeroTo1mile.html

There are also some really great workouts on this site.

stingrayinfl

my daily swim and swimming workouts are good sites if you need them..I usually swim a lap, move the ring, swim another one and rest when needed....swimming is a great workout. I run ultras and swimming a few laps just kicks my rear. It is also good for the body. My back and foot does not hurt in the pool.

nuffer

Here's another vote for the 0 - 1650 plan. When I started swimming regularly 18 months ago I could barely make a single pool length without stopping. Seven weeks later I was able to do the mile. That plan is three days of swimming in a week and it worked quite nicely for me and should work for anyone who has a basic understanding of how to do freestyle. I encourage to try and get in three days of swimming per week while you're getting re-started.

amjenkins2447

Great information! Thanks so much! Question, do you work out at all on the other 2 days if you're swimming 3 days a week?

GrumpyHeadmistress

I swim Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun and go to the gym on Sat. Then again, I only do breaststroke for a mile (44mins) each time so it's much easier than freestyling!

nuffer

amjenkins2447 wrote: »

Great information! Thanks so much! Question, do you work out at all on the other 2 days if you're swimming 3 days a week?

I started bike commuting a few months ago and have cut the swims down to 2-3 weekly, usually 2. Trying to get to the gym three days a week for weights.