Swimming advice - fitness

[CatToy]

Any regular swimmers out there who can advise me on, well, I suppose, all aspects of it.

I am looking for an another regular exercise to do, as currently run, but do get regularly injuries. I have considered swimming several times and have a membership at the local pool.

Is it good for weightloss? I always seem to be starving after a swim!

I am not a strong or fast swimmer - and the lanes intimidate me as I worry about being in the way. Is there lane ettiquette? Is there a slow lane as a rule? Daft question, I know....

I basically want to lose some weight and increase tone and fitness. Is swimming good for this? Obviously along with healthy eating.

Any advice or tips to a complete novice would be appreciated. Thank you 😁

Is there lane etiquette? In my pool there are slow, medium and fast lanes. I usually start off in slow (as I am slow!) but sometimes it is too slow even for me so I move up a lane. The important thing is just not to get in the way of other people so only overtake is there is no-one coming the other way and only stop at the ends. (And don't speed up if someone overtakes you as that just makes you look a bit of a fool!)

just ask at the pool which lane is which and if in doubt, go for a slower.

you will lose weight if you eat fewer calories than you burn off while swimming. Take a sandwich as like most exercise venues, all that will be available there will be sweets and chocolates!

it's obviously not weight bearing but it is great for dicky joints and if you push it, uses a few calories and gets your heart rate up.

if going with a mate, chat at the ends, not as you are going along. Or even better, chat in the cafe.

Ahhh, thank you for the replies. I will definitely ask at the pool in terms of which lane is which.

How long do you do? In terms of lengths and or time?

In addition to what's been posted above, do your local pools offer Swimfit lanes? Look for Zoggs or Speedo laminated sheets attached to the wall on the poolside. These will build up session plans from a small number of lengths upwards, increasing as you improve. The lanes at our pool are separate from other use and have a coach too

It's not particularly good for weight loss and you need to swim a lot and fast, and as you said, it makes you hungry.
You will get improved tone and fitness.
For weight loss and toning, try body pump/free weight, circuits, spinning etc.

Pick a lane suitable for your pace. Up one side, down the other, if you need to overtake, you can,but if it’s too busy, move up a lane.

Only do backstroke if you can stay near the rope.
Splashy strokes will get you tutted at.

I find swimming before a meal helps. Otherwise I want to constantly snack afterwards.

Always start in the slow lane, and if you won't be able to swim continuously, then swim in the open area until you can swim without stopping for at least 15 minutes. Then when in the lane if you need to stop, pull yourself right into the corner opposite to the one people will come into.
You need to be aware of others - so if someone is behind you and is faster than you, stop at the next end and let them go first.

I have a distance target in mind in the pool, and most people seem to have a number of lengths they are doing.
It def will tone you up a lot if you get your head down and push yourself. Head up breaststroke is better than nothing, but puts strain on your neck

It's fantastic for shrinking your body. My weight more or less the same bit I dropped 3 dress sizes in 6 months. Still got a lot to go but the toning effects are astonishing.

Have a look for an adult improver class at your pool. It's amazing to have proper instruction on your technique and it helps you to be streamlined and efficient through the water. Swimming is much more pleasurable when you can swim well and I went from being able to do a very bad front crawl and breaststroke to mastering butterfly and diving over a few months at my local pool. You can increase your fitness and toning more by changing your stroke, using floats to swim legs only or arms only, or other exercises such as timed lengths or using fewer breaths for the same distance. All these were taught in my lessons and at my local leisure centre were really affordable and in an evening when the pool was quiet. Good luck! The toning is well worth the effort.

Patsypie can I ask what distances you’re doing and how frequently?

I’ve tried so many times to be a runner but illness (colds) or knee problems always get in the way of it becoming a habit.

I do between 60-85 lengths of a 50m pool. Mainly breast & backstroke. I love it because I see results, don't get that sweaty feeling and it doesn't strain my joints. I find if I eat eggs etc a few hours before then I don't get hungry.

I do between 60-85 lengths of a 50m pool. Mainly breast & backstroke. I love it because I see results, don't get that sweaty feeling and it doesn't strain my joints. I find if I eat eggs etc a few hours before then I don't get hungry.