How do I become a swimmer?

Val_from_OH
Val_from_OH Posts: 447 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I belong to the Y, which has both indoor and outdoor pools - the idea of swimming for exercise is enticing for sure! The problem is... I can't swim. I know I took swim lessons for at least 6 years as a kid, but I never was able to master rotary breathing. I'm a little claustrophobic, and I think having my face surrounded by water just freaks me out a bit. I am completely comfortable in deep water though, and can get from one end of the pool to the other doing what I call the "turtle swim" - freestyle but with my head up & out of the water.

Is there hope for me? Do you think adult swim lessons would help? What kind of goals do swimmers have? # of laps, or time? What is a reasonable starting goal?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Replies

  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    They usually offer lessons at the YMCA. Have you asked about it, since you're a member?
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I actually don't put my face in the water when I swim. I mean, I'll dip under and stuff here and there, but I keep my nose and mouth up while doing laps.

    It isn't perfect technique, but I still get the exercise benefits.
  • DPernet
    DPernet Posts: 481 Member
    What is a reasonable starting goal?

    Not drowning is always a good start. Anything beyond that is gravy. :drinker:

    Get some lessons and then as with anything, slowly increase the level of effort. It depends how much time you want to devote to swimming each week. I would suggest start with a goal of swimming 10 lengths any stroke and then once you've achieved this come back and let us know :bigsmile:

    We can then suggest further goals etc etc at that point :wink:
  • mltidw
    mltidw Posts: 4
    Absolutely, take lessons! Your starting goal really depends on your starting point. I started swimming for exercise in March. I'm a good swimmer (at freestyle, back, and breast stroke - no butterfly!) but out-of-shape, and for the first month or so, I had no goal but to get in the pool and go back and forth. Then I got a Garmin Swim watch (which I love) to keep track of my distance and time and started focusing a bit more on the stats. I'd recommend starting with the lessons and progressing slowly, keeping things fun. My goals tend to be for distance, but I have a set amount of time to swim, so speed is a factor. Right now, I try to swim at least 2200 yards in an hour. Slow by any competitive standard, but a few months ago, it took me almost an hour to swim 1400 yards, so I'm very pleased. Just keep your goals focused on where you are, not where the person in the next lane is!
  • mltidw
    mltidw Posts: 4
    Sorry! Site issues = double post
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    What is a reasonable starting goal?

    Not drowning is always a good start. Anything beyond that is gravy. :drinker:

    Get some lessons and then as with anything, slowly increase the level of effort. It depends how much time you want to devote to swimming each week. I would suggest start with a goal of swimming 10 lengths any stroke and then once you've achieved this come back and let us know :bigsmile:

    We can then suggest further goals etc etc at that point :wink:

    :laugh:
  • snarky
    snarky Posts: 262 Member
    The only way to get over your fear is practice!!!

    I took a beginning class last summer. I was never a swimmer as kid - hadn't been swimming in 20 years. I could barely make it across the pool without freaking myself out. The instructor's gave me some excellent tips that made it easier, then I just practiced a lot. In the period of a year I went from less than 25m to doing open water swimming for a triathlon. I don't win any records for speed, and it wasn't pretty, but I did it. Get some instruction and practice :)
  • jchite84
    jchite84 Posts: 467 Member
    I recently started swimming seriously to train for a triathlon. Like the rest of the posters I would recommend getting some lessons. Watch some YouTube videos on breathing technique. There are tips for working your way into it. Swimming with your head above water is inefficient and will probably end up hurting your neck in the long run, so focus on good form, rather than just "getting in laps" any way possible. If you have trouble with the rotational breathing required for the forward crawl, maybe try starting with a breast stroke or fly - where your whole head pops out of the water when you breathe, or the backstroke where your face is above water the whole time. I know that it took me about 2.5 weeks of swimming 3 days per week to get comfortable with the breathing and pacing myself so I am not gasping for air. Now, I pick one thing per week to focus on improving technique and incorporate slowly. First was the breathing, next was good arm movement, now I'm onto keeping my knees locked, etc. Stick it out 2-3 days per week and you will see improvements. Start with a goal of swimming 250 meters or so, and work up from there.
  • WaterBunnie
    WaterBunnie Posts: 1,371 Member
    I use a combination of breast stroke with my face mostly out of the water and back stroke. I would like to be more proficient but it's still great exercise.
  • mleech77
    mleech77 Posts: 557 Member
    Lessons are always a good option. I started out on my own and now do a masters swim program. Something I used before it finally clicked for me and I was able to breath while doing freestyle was a swim snorkel. Unlike traditional snorkels they are "center mount". I still use it on occasion when I want to do specific drills.
    http://www.amazon.com/FINIS-1-05-009-50-Swimmers-Snorkel-Yellow/dp/B004O6ECL4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373302359&sr=8-1&keywords=finis+swim+snorkel
  • abbyrmichel
    abbyrmichel Posts: 36
    Hey, I was a competitive swimmer for the last four years, and a captain of the swim team at my high school so I got really excited when I saw this post!

    First of all, don't get discouraged. We had tons of girls who it took a long time before they could breath properly. You aren't the only one struggling with it. As a swimmer, what we aim for is to actually breath with our head completely level in the water. What I would suggest is to start by choosing a side you are comfortable breathing on. Then, when you are going freestyle, breath when you take a stroke on that side, looking to that side, not at the ceiling. When you turn your head to go back into the water, focus on spending that time blowing all of the air you just collected out of your nose. By the time you exhale and take a stroke on the opposite side, it will be time to breath again! That might help you stay distracted while your head is in the water so you don't freak out as much. Just take your time and work your way into this.

    Secondly, for the goals of a swimmer, that just depends on how advanced you are. After four years of swimming I like to spend an hour in the pool and swim a mile- a mile and a half. (33 laps is a mile). For a beginner, just do what you can and stop when you need to. The more you practice, push yourself to go a little further each time before you stop. A good goal is a 500, or 10 laps. (:

    If you have any more questions, let me know! I love swimming and I hope you come to love it too!
  • SniffyDoodle
    SniffyDoodle Posts: 129
    I actually don't put my face in the water when I swim. I mean, I'll dip under and stuff here and there, but I keep my nose and mouth up while doing laps.

    It isn't perfect technique, but I still get the exercise benefits.

    I do this too. I do a variety of mostly made-up or modified strokes, all with my head above water. I burn a ton of calories and love that I can get a good workout without all the sweating. :)

    I am the same as you, I panic when my face goes below water, and I can't master the breathing. I have tried, and I have even taken lessons. Lessons didn't fix this problem for me. I also have severe sinus problems, and if chlorine water gets into my nasal passages I will be miserable for days. So my head absolutely stays above water.

    I just get in the water and use my arms and legs to move myself from one end to the other with no concern as to whether I am doing the strokes correctly or not. My only goal is to burn calories and enjoy my workout. It works for me. :)

    If you have goals beyond just burning some calories... sure, try taking lessons. Otherwise, just do what works for you!
  • alfiedn
    alfiedn Posts: 425 Member
    I support lessons.

    I swam competitively in high school, but I started when I was 4. I could barely get from one end of the pool to the other and had the best time doing it! Later, I got better, obviously.

    It sounds to me like you need a great pair of goggles. Being able to see comfortably always helps me feel better in the water when my face is under. I also focus on breathing out while my face is in the water (thus making sure water doesn't get up my nose) and in when it's out of the water.

    It also sounds like free-style (crawl, or whatever you want to call it) may not be quite the right stroke for you. You may be more comfortable with backstroke or breast stroke. With backstroke, it's easy to avoid getting your face too wet and with breast stroke, you don't have to worry about that rotary breathing (although your face does go under). Butterfly is a great stroke, but difficult to keep up for a long time, especially for someone that isn't used to it.

    Take some lessons, join a masters team when you are ready. Enjoy it first and foremost!
  • Val_from_OH
    Val_from_OH Posts: 447 Member
    Thanks for all the replies! I will talk to the Y about swim lessons. I know they offer them for adults, and I think it would be good to have an expert take a look at what I can do and make suggestions for next steps. I :heart: my Y - I can try out all kinds of new things for cheap.
  • LearnFromTheRed
    LearnFromTheRed Posts: 294 Member
    I started investigating the same thing yesterday :)

    I think I am going to go for a couple of 'confidence-building' lessons before starting.

Categories