We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Swimming?

HvymetalMG
HvymetalMG Posts: 93 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm looking to add some cardio to my strength training. I hate. Hate running and treadmills. I was thinking of doing swimming. 20
Minutes maybe 3x a week. I assume that is good. But is it also effective to do laps doing a breast stroke My form for regular swimming is not very good.

Replies

  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Any stoke is good and the more you swim, the better you'll get. The Y and other places offer adult swim classes to help you improve your strokes & learn new ones. Have fun!
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    What about cycling?

    I swim as well - it's typically my rest/recovery day workout - my 3000yds swimming tonight was abt 350cal burn
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    HvymetalMG wrote: »
    I'm looking to add some cardio to my strength training. I hate. Hate running and treadmills. I was thinking of doing swimming. 20
    Minutes maybe 3x a week. I assume that is good. But is it also effective to do laps doing a breast stroke My form for regular swimming is not very good.

    I swim breast stroke and it has been a very effective workout for me (rotation issues in my shoulder). Swimming is great for a total body workout. I have a waterproof IPod shuffle and I just zone out doing my laps.
  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    Swimming is great. Personally, I don't get in the pool if I can't get in at least 40 minutes. Lately I've been doing 60 minutes. I alternate between front crawl/breast/back. Maybe you could experiment with your other strokes to get more comfortable if you want to switch it up. There's a swimming group too if you want to join!
  • HvymetalMG
    HvymetalMG Posts: 93 Member
    edited March 2017
    Cool

    I'm going to test the waters. Pun pitifully intended.

  • GrumpyHeadmistress
    GrumpyHeadmistress Posts: 666 Member
    I swim 2.5km four times a week. Takes me about an hour. I'd recommend a waterproof MP3 if you're going to do serious time as it staves off the boredom.
  • beerfoamy
    beerfoamy Posts: 1,520 Member
    I may have to look into waterproof music. :)
    Used to be able to do 2.5km no worries. But boredom has started creeping back and now 2km is a good day! Usually do 1km or a mile and call it quits. :s
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    Swimming is a fantastic exercise, but what are you hoping to gain from it? I find it to be a great compliment to many other exercises (lifting, running, etc) when used as a means of recovery.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    edited March 2017
    beerfoamy wrote: »
    I may have to look into waterproof music. :)
    Used to be able to do 2.5km no worries. But boredom has started creeping back and now 2km is a good day! Usually do 1km or a mile and call it quits. :s

    I bought my IPod from AudioFlood (bought on Amazon). great customer service and I really like their earphones which have a very short cord. I clip it onto my goggle strap and have no cords dangling anywhere. I change up m y music every once in a while to keep it fresh and I can do my 2 miles without getting bored. I've been thinking of trying audiobooks now that I figured out how to do a straight playlist instead of shuffle
  • beerfoamy
    beerfoamy Posts: 1,520 Member
    earlnabby wrote: »
    beerfoamy wrote: »
    I may have to look into waterproof music. :)
    Used to be able to do 2.5km no worries. But boredom has started creeping back and now 2km is a good day! Usually do 1km or a mile and call it quits. :s

    I bought my IPod from AudioFlood (bought on Amazon). great customer service and I really like their earphones which have a very short cord. I clip it onto my goggle strap and have no cords dangling anywhere. I change up m y music every once in a while to keep it fresh and I can do my 2 miles without getting bored. I've been thinking of trying audiobooks now that I figured out how to do a straight playlist instead of shuffle

    ooh books! that'd be awesome
    (oh and side note: bleh Apple! haha)
  • GrumpyHeadmistress
    GrumpyHeadmistress Posts: 666 Member
    beerfoamy wrote: »
    earlnabby wrote: »
    beerfoamy wrote: »
    I may have to look into waterproof music. :)
    Used to be able to do 2.5km no worries. But boredom has started creeping back and now 2km is a good day! Usually do 1km or a mile and call it quits. :s

    I bought my IPod from AudioFlood (bought on Amazon). great customer service and I really like their earphones which have a very short cord. I clip it onto my goggle strap and have no cords dangling anywhere. I change up m y music every once in a while to keep it fresh and I can do my 2 miles without getting bored. I've been thinking of trying audiobooks now that I figured out how to do a straight playlist instead of shuffle

    ooh books! that'd be awesome
    (oh and side note: bleh Apple! haha)

    A plug for underwater audio who also sell on Amazon. They've also got a kick starter going for an android device that's waterproof if apple isn't your thing.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories