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Hi, new to the group

giftbouquets
giftbouquets Posts: 95 Member
edited November 2024 in Social Groups
Pleased to have found there is a swimming group.
Love swimming, but have never really improved and think now is the time to do so.
I usually do about 30 lengths, a combination of breast stroke and back stroke. Really struggle with front crawl and usually swallow water and give up after a few lengths. I would really lie to develop this stroke.
Over the past few weeks I have been trying to increase the number of lengths I can swim. Managed 50 lengths the other day, which is a first for me. Unfortunately, found it difficult to keep track of how many lengths I had done. Can anyone recommend a decent swim lap counter, my birthday is coming up and I might ask OH for one.

Replies

  • galabrielle98
    galabrielle98 Posts: 507 Member
    Welcome to the group! I don't use a lap counter but getting one seems like a good idea. All those extra laps......
  • mpeters1965
    mpeters1965 Posts: 370 Member
    Welcome! I don't use one either but I'm sure there will be good advice.
  • rosebarnalice
    rosebarnalice Posts: 3,488 Member
    I can't keep numbers in my head, so I "count" using the alphabet--or words inspired by each letter. For some reason I can keep track of what letter I'm on much easier than what number I'm on.
  • SoCalSwimmerDude
    SoCalSwimmerDude Posts: 509 Member
    Welcome!

    I've never used a lap counter.

    One way that MIGHT be useful is counting it in yards/meters as you go. So instead of counting to 4, you count to 100 (each lap being 25 yards/meters). That way, if you do lose count, you're asking yourself if you've done 250 or 300.

    Another idea is to alternate to kicking or a different stroke every 4 or 8 laps. Then you'd just be counting every time you do the off lap.
  • giftbouquets
    giftbouquets Posts: 95 Member
    Thanks for the ideas, will give them a try over the next few days and see if any help.
  • gentlygently
    gentlygently Posts: 752 Member
    I got a cheap one off amazon - it lasted a month maybe? So if you opt for a counter get OH to read the reviews for longevity, or buy in bulk? I mainly do pneunomics....good way to go to sleep, thinking up new ones.
  • SoCalSwimmerDude
    SoCalSwimmerDude Posts: 509 Member
    gentlygently wrote: »
    I got a cheap one off amazon - it lasted a month maybe? So if you opt for a counter get OH to read the reviews for longevity, or buy in bulk? I mainly do pneunomics....good way to go to sleep, thinking up new ones.

    Pneunomics?
  • LauraRae2
    LauraRae2 Posts: 107 Member
    Welcome! I recently got the Sport Count Lap Counter. You can get it on Amazon for about $30 but I managed to score one on Ebay for significantly less money. So far so good, but I've only used it about 3 times.
  • gentlygently
    gentlygently Posts: 752 Member
    Pneunomics is I think the right word - but when you use words to help you remembr things. So eg my pool is called Glassmills - and I have a 1K set that starts off general warm up(g), leg drills (l), arms drills (a), sprint (s) etc etc...
  • giftbouquets
    giftbouquets Posts: 95 Member
    I think it is mnemonics.
    The reviews of the cheap ones on Amazon seem to vary, with some people seeming happy and others saying they broke first time. Off to Ebay to look at the Sports Count one.
  • gentlygently
    gentlygently Posts: 752 Member
    Hi gift b - I am sure you are right !! I'm better at making them up than knowing what they are....
  • cabwj
    cabwj Posts: 843 Member
    It might be corny but I made myself a pretty strand of beads leaving an inch or so of the wire exposed. I lay it out next to my water bottle at the end of the lane. I slide a bead over after each lap.
  • giftbouquets
    giftbouquets Posts: 95 Member
    cabwj wrote: »
    It might be corny but I made myself a pretty strand of beads leaving an inch or so of the wire exposed. I lay it out next to my water bottle at the end of the lane. I slide a bead over after each lap.

    Great idea!
  • cabwj
    cabwj Posts: 843 Member
    giftbouquets wrote: »
    cabwj wrote: »
    It might be corny but I made myself a pretty strand of beads leaving an inch or so of the wire exposed. I lay it out next to my water bottle at the end of the lane. I slide a bead over after each lap.

    Great idea!

    Thank you, here's a pic. The copper stations occur every 8 laps.

    ls4bl6camk9r.jpg

  • girlwithcurls2
    girlwithcurls2 Posts: 2,282 Member
    Another brilliant idea :)
  • luv2eat2013
    luv2eat2013 Posts: 428 Member
    giftbouquets wrote: »
    Pleased to have found there is a swimming group.
    Love swimming, but have never really improved and think now is the time to do so.
    I usually do about 30 lengths, a combination of breast stroke and back stroke. Really struggle with front crawl and usually swallow water and give up after a few lengths. I would really lie to develop this stroke.
    Over the past few weeks I have been trying to increase the number of lengths I can swim. Managed 50 lengths the other day, which is a first for me. Unfortunately, found it difficult to keep track of how many lengths I had done. Can anyone recommend a decent swim lap counter, my birthday is coming up and I might ask OH for one.

  • luv2eat2013
    luv2eat2013 Posts: 428 Member
    New as well. Welcome to the both of us. Still getting familiar and exploring site. Getting great ideals of routine which is needed for me.
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    giftbouquets wrote: »
    Unfortunately, found it difficult to keep track of how many lengths I had done. Can anyone recommend a decent swim lap counter, my birthday is coming up and I might ask OH for one.

    I use this finger ring digital counter to count laps (up and back is one lap). I swim about 141 laps (4 miles in 25yrd pool) a day. Started using a counter a few years ago when I got above 60 laps.
    http://www.amazon.com/SportCount-Inc-LapCounter-90040-Silver/dp/B0016J9NE8/ref=sr_1_2?s=sports-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1443192971&sr=1-2&keywords=swim+lap+counter
  • LauraRae2
    LauraRae2 Posts: 107 Member
    I have the same counter as fishy. I don't swim without it anymore.
  • gentlygently
    gentlygently Posts: 752 Member
    Yep that is the one I got.... I guess I was unlucky. I've stuck with the pneunomics/mnemonics since then, but perhaps I'll give it another go when I get the waterproof podcast player sorted too....perhaps I need to start Santa a list - have been a good girl.
  • luv2eat2013
    luv2eat2013 Posts: 428 Member
    fishgutzy wrote: »
    giftbouquets wrote: »
    Unfortunately, found it difficult to keep track of how many lengths I had done. Can anyone recommend a decent swim lap counter, my birthday is coming up and I might ask OH for one.

    I use this finger ring digital counter to count laps (up and back is one lap). I swim about 141 laps (4 miles in 25yrd pool) a day. Started using a counter a few years ago when I got above 60 laps.
    http://www.amazon.com/SportCount-Inc-LapCounter-90040-Silver/dp/B0016J9NE8/ref=sr_1_2?s=sports-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1443192971&sr=1-2&keywords=swim+lap+counter

  • luv2eat2013
    luv2eat2013 Posts: 428 Member
    OMG SOOOOOO AWESOME. I AM SUCH A ROOKIE AND UP TO 2 LAPS. ...GOAL WILL START OFF....3, 5, 7, 10....BUT 10 GOAL....for now
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    luv2eat2013 wrote: »
    OMG SOOOOOO AWESOME. I AM SUCH A ROOKIE AND UP TO 2 LAPS. ...GOAL WILL START OFF....3, 5, 7, 10....BUT 10 GOAL....for now
    Think of it this way. "Just one more lap." Each week try to do one more lap than you could the week before. Before long you'll be counting miles instead of laps :)
  • LauraRae2
    LauraRae2 Posts: 107 Member
    fishgutzy wrote: »
    luv2eat2013 wrote: »
    OMG SOOOOOO AWESOME. I AM SUCH A ROOKIE AND UP TO 2 LAPS. ...GOAL WILL START OFF....3, 5, 7, 10....BUT 10 GOAL....for now
    Think of it this way. "Just one more lap." Each week try to do one more lap than you could the week before. Before long you'll be counting miles instead of laps :)

    So true. Now if I don't do a mile it's a "short workout." A few months ago, a mile didn't even seem possible!
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