October 1, 201510 yr The best advice I can give, Wireman, make sure you have a coach watch your form. Seems as if you are early enough in the process where you are still learning the basics. The worst thing you can do is go a long period without having someone watch your technique which can easily become habit. But yes, it is tremendous exercise. Full body cardio at it's best. Couldn't agree more. At the very least get a friend to tape you. But a coach is very valuable. I like to tell people swimming is like golf. It's all about the technique and mechanics. I'm constantly getting my other coach to watch me swim to refine and refine. My goal is to shave 2.64 seconds off my 50 free so I can qualify for nationals. 2.64 seconds may not seem like a lot but in the pool it's a ton.
October 1, 201510 yr Obviously I swim, as does former. Swimming is incredibly challenging. It is funny talking with folks about doing IM competitions. I will explain how I swim 2.4 miles and the time it takes. I normally get one of two responses: 1. "There is no way on earth I could ever swim in open water or for that distance." 2. "Oh yeah, I used to swim at the lake and at the pool all the time growing up, I could easily do the swim." Chances are, you couldn't. Messing around a swimming pool playing Marco Polo or swimming around at the lake doesn't constitute swimming. I do agree with you. But for whatever reason I honestly could do stuff like that pre-triathlon days.
October 1, 201510 yr Author Bug is right. You need to add in some drills. I'm a Level II US Masters Swim coach. I have workouts galore. I'm assuming this is a 25 yard pool you are in? Yes, a 25 yard pool. Rather than laps, I should say 28 lengths of the pool.
October 1, 201510 yr Author One thing I have noticed is that my strength in the weight room has gone down slightly when combined with swimming. Does this sound normal to you guys? For example, my bench press max has declined. I'm not really complaining though because I've lost 20 lbs. and my chest and shoulders are starting to look really good...better than they have in years and years.
October 1, 201510 yr I would love to swim but I've just never enjoyed it. It is a great exercise and saves a lot of wear and tear on you body. Plus you don't sweat!
October 1, 201510 yr Is an Olympic size pool 25 yards? And generally how many calories would you burn swimming 28 laps?
October 1, 201510 yr For an example. Here is the workout we did this morning: WU: 200 swim 200 kick 200 pull 8 x 50 (25 swim, 25 drill) Alternate drill: odds catch-up, evens fingertip drag MS: 4 x 200's :15 RI These help to build endurance. Try to maintain that RI. Done at a medium-hard pace. Do this 2 - 3 times 5 x 50 sprint (free) :30 RI 50 breast or back EZ - flush out Lactic Acid from sprinting 1:00 RI Use the recovery so you can go FAST on the sprint. CD: 150 kick 150 pull Total: 2700 - 3000
October 1, 201510 yr One thing I have noticed is that my strength in the weight room has gone down slightly when combined with swimming. Does this sound normal to you guys? For example, my bench press max has declined. I'm not really complaining though because I've lost 20 lbs. and my chest and shoulders are starting to look really good...better than they have in years and years. I've never had an issue with that.
October 1, 201510 yr Regarding pool size you will also hear them referred to as short course and long course. Long course is always 50M. Short course could mean 25 yards or 25 meters. Typically people clarify when the say it. MOST lap pools are 25 yards.
October 1, 201510 yr 50 meters. So one time down in an Olympic pool would be a lap? Aren't most YMCA pools Olympic size?
October 1, 201510 yr I would love to swim but I've just never enjoyed it. It is a great exercise and saves a lot of wear and tear on you body. Plus you don't sweat!As far as the big three of cardio go (running, cycling, swimming) I feel it's the best one. It's not load-bearing and the impact on your body is a lot less.
October 1, 201510 yr So one time down in an Olympic pool would be a lap? Aren't most YMCA pools Olympic size?Nope, they are typically 25 yards. We refer to a lap typically as down-and-back.
October 1, 201510 yr Author I've actually never seen an Olympic pool in person. Every pool in the Danville area is 25 yards.
October 1, 201510 yr As far as the big three of cardio go (running, cycling, swimming) I feel it's the best one. It's not load-bearing and the impact on your body is a lot less. Which one burns more calories if you do it the same amount of time?
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