Improving on swimming stamina - how do you do it???

percussionbeat

I used to swim competitively when I was a kid till about high school, then stopped. I'm just now getting back into it, and trying to swim more often.

But my stamina is TERRIBLE now I come up breathing so hard after just 100m, and I have to rest about 1 min before being able to do another 100m. I haven't a clue what I'm doing wrong, but then again it's been about 15 years since I've swum laps and been mindful of my swimming performance. Just for info, I'm 29 and about 100lbs (45kg) so I'm not really focusing on weight loss, just fitness and muscle building and toning.

Any advice on how to improve swimming stamina?? What do you do to improve yours? Any thoughts, advice, comments would be SO appreciated!!!

poedunk65

keep swimming, I started the same way. I now swim 1/2 mile 3 times a week doing alternating styles. one lap freestyle then one lap breaststroke. If you have to stop so what, catch your breath then get back to it.

estevo66

I used to get tired fast while doing some Aerobic exercise. I started doing Tabatas exercise. Google it and try it out. It may help

Clew

I don't want to sound patronizing or state the obvious, but as with any endurance sport - Practice, practice, practice will condition you. Since you're a previously well-accomplised swimmer I'm willing to bet your body will snap back more quickly to where it was. Best of luck!

rachel871

Think it's like everything else, just keep at it. When I first started I did 250m (10 laps approx) and had to stop for like 5 minutes. Now I usually do 80-100 without stopping, one freestyle, one breastroke. I'm struggling to better my time though, I can't seem to physically swim any quicker than I do! So I'm building up the number of laps instead!

Maybe just set yourself a target, in a C25K kind of way - like start off with 5 laps, 30 seconds rest, then ten laps, maybe on a weekly or monthly basis? Then just build it up!

Good luck

Fattack

Hey! I also used to swim a LOT as a kid and am finding it hard to swim fast. Endurance isn't my problem but speed is, and Rachel871's advice - to do it like C25K is one I'm definitely going to take up, alternating crawl (which I've been avoiding) and breaststroke! Thanks Rachel

swimmermama

I will be the first to say that it is not easy to build swimming stamina but it is so worth it, which you know. My advice is to do a mix of sprints with rests in between and longer, slower sets. Do everything you can to not rest during the longer sets. Feel free to go super slow - the equivalent of walking instead of jogging or running. Try to swim 2 or 3 times a week. Keep track of your progress so you can see just how much you are improving. It is so easy to feel down because you are going as fast or far as you think you should but the important thing is to improve!

You said that you weight about 100 pounds? If you are relatively light and have trouble swimming for very long, you may try eating right before. I have to eat a good meal or snack before getting in the pool or I get HUNGRY and run out of energy after about 30 minutes.

percussionbeat

Thanks so much for all the advice!! Really appreciate it..and it really helps

Yeah, I know it takes time and loads of practice, but was wondering if there was some way to work up to swimming for longer periods, like breathing methods or a particular way of kicking or pulling that would help conserve energy. I guess the best way would be to just work slowly up to swimming more laps without stopping.

Love the alternating front crawl and breast-stroke idea! I'll try that..and Rachel871 you can do 80-100 laps without stopping? Wow that's amazing! Swimmermama: That's a great idea too, to have a light snack before swimming..I usually find myself really hungry immediately after coming out of the pool. Thanks!