Swimming

[cluke92]

I usually go swimming twice a week, it has dropped to once tho recently, and i just do the same each time i go and its getting a bit tedious.

I usually get in and swim 40 lengths of 25m straight off of front crawl, trying to get faster as i go, with the last 10 being as fast as i can, then have a little rest and do 10 more lengths, but ill do 2 as fast as i can, then rest of 30 seconds, then another 2 as fast as poss, and so on.

I find that the last 10 i do is great, just wandering what else i can do with the swimming.

I would love to spend more time up there and do more, but i always have things to get on with at home, or the person i go with has to do something.

Also i did alot of running during spring and summer but stopped a while ago and im finding it hard to get motivated to get outside and run in the cold. I was thinking of going to the gym, and using a treadmill, as well as a cycle, rower and xtrainer.

Just wandering if road running is better for fitness than a treadmill (i do find them a bit boring)

[RacersEdge]

Road running is definitly a tougher test for the cardio respirotary system that a treadmill, although the treadmill is friendlier on the knee joints. You have to find a balance.

Swimming training methods are not my speciality so I assume the pool you attend will have a swimming club. Have a word with one of their coaches for so advice on how to vary your routine.


On I side note, I have started running recently and I am finding it quite innvicorating(sp) at the moment.

[28]

does that mean you start preaching and giving services after your run? :p

[RacersEdge]

No, I think you are deeply confussed my son. 10 hell mary's should sort it.

[Gaylord_Fokker]

....get yourself down Portland Bill and swim against the tide...that should liven things up..:D


*tuts*...kids today

[cluke92]

thanks for the response paul.

the last 10 lengths i do we got off of someone that goes up there swimming so i might ask if he knows more.

Is it best to just do 40 lengths all together, or to do less lengths at once but faster?? what wil each way help with??

i think ill start road running as well again, i found it great when i used to go, felt great afterwards.

How long and far would you say to run for an average?

[RacersEdge]

I would suggest you have a time in mind, I aim aiming for 30 mins at the moment. I have been doing a three mille loop in around 26 mins. To achieve the sort benefits you would be looking for a 30/40 session would be required. (keep a record of your times to track your improvements)

Another method you could consider would be doing some interval training. This helps to improve your recovery rate, so on a run you might run at a set pace that is taking your heart rate (HR) towards your anarobic thershold (AT) for two minutes then jog at a slower pace untill your HR omes back into a set zone, then you go again for 2 mins, recover, go again etc etc.

A similar princple could be applied in the pool.

[The Voice]

Hey Cluke92.,

If your swimming is getting boring and you dont think its enough of a challenge try doing drills to work on good technoque or breaking it up with sets.

When working your technique try and keep yourself long and lean in the water, stretch out to catch the water and then pull it under your body, dont posture your arms when there out of the water, they only do something when there in. With your legs, just try and kick with every stroke for balance, when you swim distance they should be use that much to propel you through the water.

To push yourself and feel your getting the most from your workout try doing the session as sets, give this a go;

Warm up with 300m then

Easy pace
1 x 100m, 30sec rest
1 x 100m, 20sec rest
1 x 50m, 20sec rest
1 x 100m, 20sec rest
1 x 50m, 10sec rest, then;

Fast pace
4 x 50m, 20sec rest
1 x 50m easy with 45sec rest
3 x 50m, 20sec rest
1 x 50m easy with 45sec rest
2 x 50m, 20sec rest
1 x 50m easy with 45sec rest then

Warm down 100-200m.

You should really try and push on the fast sessions and you will start to feel the pain. If you want to make the upper body do all the work get a pull bouy.

Good luck, I hope it helps.

[cluke92]

thanks for that, will give it a try next time.

i think my technique in the water could be a bit better, there was some1 there yesterday lapping me every 10 lengths, and i wasnt going slow, and did that over alot of lenghts.

think i need to get me some tight shorts as well to help me when swimming

[The Voice]

thanks for that, will give it a try next time.

i think my technique in the water could be a bit better, there was some1 there yesterday lapping me every 10 lengths, and i wasnt going slow, and did that over alot of lenghts.

think i need to get me some tight shorts as well to help me when swimming


No probs:)

[mxady29]

I never find it boring swimming... I just put me goggles on and watch the ladies doin the breast stroke....:D

[wallace]

I never find it boring swimming... I just put me goggles on and watch the ladies doin the breast stroke....:D

watching them in tight shorts :rolleyes:

[motoxxx]

im going swimming tonight.hopefully i can rememeber how to swim without making myself look like a right nobber:lol:

[mxady29]

im going swimming tonight.hopefully i can rememeber how to swim without making myself look like a right nobber:lol:

I'm swimming home... kin rain...:mad:

[Smurf's Dad]

You could also try doing different strokes. Not only will it break the monotony, but you will work different muscle groups.

If you are after a challenge try 4 lengths of butterfly.:lol:

Also the cardio benefits from front crawl depend on the frequency of the leg kick. When sprinting you can get up to eight flutter kicks in for each cycle of the arms (when cruising it can be as low as two). If you actually watch swimmers distance swimmers and sprinters use different beats of leg kick. The leg muscles are much larger than those of the arms so they place a greater demand for energy and oxygen.

If you want to go out running I suggest trying to run on grass as much as possible to protect your leg joints and back. Not always possible at this time of year though.

Just remember that the bloke who came up with the concept of jogging for fitness died of a heart attack in his early 50's while jogging.:eek: