Swimmers?

cactuswax
cactuswax Posts: 77 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I love love love running... but I feel like I keep injuring myself, and my doctor insists it will eventually ruin my knees.

While i dont intend to give it up (just keep trying to stay smart about ), I'm curious about swimming for cardio. I've always avoided it because I'm not very coordinated when it comes to timing my breath, and it seems really high maintenance. You have to put on the suit, the hat, the goggles, get in the icy water, then get out, shower, change. Running i basically just throw on my shoes and go. I also have long blonde hair, and worry about damaging it.

Any advice from swimmers out there? Am I overthinking it? Also... advice for improving my swim skills?

Replies

  • MinimalistShoeAddict
    MinimalistShoeAddict Posts: 1,946 Member
    1. Find a doctor who also runs.

    2. I am a not a great swimmer myself but am working on it. This group has lots of knowledgeable people who can help:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/122-swimmers
  • themuffinqueen1
    themuffinqueen1 Posts: 1 Member
    Yeah I'm a swimmer, time wise its not very efficient, but due to my exercise induced asthma I don't have much of a choice...
    Swimming only works as a great workout if you really push yourself and get at it! You are weightless in the water so it's technically less of a workout since you don't have to cart all that weight you have.

    Hair wise, don't shoot the messenger, but it is even more maintenance. Putting something light but oil based into your hair is the best option and then using a clarifying shampoo.
  • kcaffee1
    kcaffee1 Posts: 759 Member
    Avid swimmer here. It can be a bit more intense than you realize, depending on which stroke you use. Most people use the basic free style (front crawl), but that may not be the best one for you. Depending on your skill level, time available, and pool size, you may want to try the breast stroke. That tends to be more of an entire body workout, and form isn't QUITE as important as the front crawl - not to mention breathing is much easier!

    If you keep your head up, out of the water while you get the timing on the arm/leg coordination, you will have a HARD workout - been there, learned that one the hard way. Though it feels like you are doing less because of the buoyancy, you are putting in as much work in swimming as you are in running because of the drag from the water. Especially if you keep your head up, and plow through the water on your chest. (Talk about pulling a brick wall through the water?!?)

    Improvement will come with practice. Being able to see others - both good and bad - will help you see where you want or need to improve your form. And, though it is hard to believe, it's not the distance you swim (like it is in running), it's the TIME you swim. At least at first. As you improve, you can add a few calories to your burn through speeding things up, but the bulk of your burn will come from sheer time spent swimming or water jogging. It's a nice blend of resistance training and cardio.

    As for long hair - I have waist length hair, and when I swim it actually looks and feels healthier. Keep a GOOD shampoo in your locker with a good daily conditioner to go with it. AS SOON AS YOU GET OUT, get that hair washed! Get the chlorine out, so it doesn't have a chance to damage your hair.

    I've heard people talk about putting a light oil or conditioner on your hair before you get in, but since I'm sensitive to any scents, it drives me batty when folks do this. All that oil does is float right up off your hair, and makes a nice patch of blech on the surface of the water. And, usually, the scent is enough to drive me out of the water to boot. There may be others who are as sensitive, so I ask for their sakes: PLEASE if you are going to oil your hair, use olive oil, or something else without a scent! It is far better to just wash your hair when you get out. Though, rinsing your hair before you get in with clean water can help prevent some of the pool water from causing damage if you have the time to do so.

    Can't help with the comparison to running, I'm all left toes when it comes to anything faster than a hard march. But, everyone had to start somewhere with swimming, and just getting in the water to make your laps will start to make a difference for you, no matter what skill level you start at. And, you will improve, little by little, even if you have to work things out through trial and error.

    Good luck!

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