How long to see results from swimming?

[PercyPigAndMe]

I've started swimming, been a fortnight so far. I swim 5 days a week and I do about 40 lengths - err pretty slowly! - and burn 500 + calories each time

My question is how long to see results in terms of toning etc? I can't really do more le goths as I'm a bit bored after about half an hour or so

Out of interest how long does it take you to do 40 lengths?

I'd be surprised if you're really burning 500 calories doing 40 lengths

You will feel stronger after about 3 months or so but you won’t look more toned unless you lose weight which that level of exercise won’t do unless you also have a calorie restricted diet at the same time. You also need to be careful because swimming is notorious for making you feel ravenous! You will however be fitter and a bit stronger

Out of interest how long does it take you to do 40 lengths?

That's a how long is a piece of string question. Some people can do 40 lengths in 20 minutes, some take closer to an hour. It takes me about 35 mins, I'm assuming the OP is similar from her comment.

As far as toning goes it will depend how fat you are. But you'll start being aware that you get less tired while swimming after a few months.

Also is it 25, 33 or 59m pool

50 not 59!

You will begin to do more lengths in the same amount of time as you get fitter and stronger.

Are you swimming until you are out of breath? Look for some fitness plans, SwimFit used to be good. It will stop you getting bored. Get a pull buoy, some paddles and a kick float to change things up.

I never really lost much weight through swimming but it did wonders for my fitness and toned my arms / shoulders.

Try doing drills to keep the boredom at bay eg every other length arms only or legs only for 10 lengths, or sets of 10 lengths with decreasing recovery between them? You could also see if you could join a triathlon club to take part in their swim sessions - they are coached, have different lanes for different abilities, and you can really feel yourself getting fitter as the weeks go on.

My watch is accurate in tracking although what matters is consistency in the numbers recorded and it's definitely that!

It takes me about 30-35 mins to do 40 lengths and the pool is 50 metres

Ha JOKES! The pool is 20 metres

That's not burning 500 calories I'm afraid. 30 mins of swimming burns about 180 calories but may be slightly more depending on weight, swim speed etc. It won't be anywhere near 500 though.

I think a lot depends on your age, OP. When I was in my mid-thirties (which was a long time ago) swimming for an hour a day would start to have a noticeable toning effect after about a fortnight. This summer, I've been doing an hour a day since the outdoor pool opened, so I have been at it for three months ... I can't see any toning effect yet. I do feel stronger and generally healthier though, and my swimming speed has increased a little.

How long is the pool? If it's 25m, you're doing 1000m, which is not bad in half an hour.

I break it up by doing different strokes, front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke. I've also started training with a float, because I realised most of the power was coming from my arms, so I need to focus on my legs a bit. You can also change things about by timing sprints and resting in between, but it depends on how busy the pool is; in a busy pool, you need to go at a steady rate with the others in the lane. If you get a lane to yourself, you can try more different things. Then if you're doing more varied swims, you can swim for longer, as you shouldn't be so bored.

You could also look to see if there are any club sessions for adults - it can be easier if others are telling you to do 4x100m and so on. Or carry on with half hour swims, and do something else like yoga as well, or weights, which will help with toning.

I have been going to Slimming World for 2 months and swimming for 6 weeks.
I have lost just over 1 1/2 stone.
I swim 4-6 times a week - 40/45 minutes a time - breast stroke in the slow lane!

2 weeks ago I started noticing my body shape has started changing - a bit 'off' everywhere and my shoulders and arms are better.

It depends a bit on how hard you are working tbh. Since my swim coach (less poncey than it sounds, I just need someone to be accountable to like having a personal trainer, but only every 2 months) made me start wearing a tick tock and set me speed drills to do, I have toned massively round my core - and it took weeks to not be in agony the next day even though I'd been swimming 2km three days a week plus another swim for ages.

You should gradually get stronger and be able to add an extra length each time you swim.

I swam after having ds and while I didn't lose much weight, I was much more toned, fewer achey muscles, and generally felt less stressed.

A few months, I'd say. I used to walk briskly two miles to the pool to warm up so when I jumped in, I started off fast. I'd do 10 fast lengths, then I'd do 6 lengths on legs only with my float until it really burned, then 4 slow lengths, then some arms-only lengths. I only ever did breast stroke and crawl. After a few months I could swim moderately fast for an hour and do about 100 lengths in the municipal pool.

A lot of people alternate crawl and breast stroke. I find that more boring than just thrashing up and down.

Also a good tip is to engage your core muscles ie tighten your tummy as you swim, this helps you build a bit of extra core strength.

I've never found swimming boring so I can't really help you there. I use the time for a good think.

You’re swimming breaststroke?

Tbh, if this is a leisurely breaststroke you won’t be burning much of anything

And - unless you’ve been taught the new whip kick, you could be placing more strain on your knees and hips and it would be less beneficial than doing nothing at all.

Can you sign up for adult lessons? Then at least you’ll have some structure to the session

This is how i started - from scratch- 7 or 8 years ago.

Nowadays usual warm up is 1000m (400 front/300 pull/200back and 100m breaststroke

It’s harder than it was due to all the disruption etc but it does take an enormous amount of effort to get fitter in swimming

Don’t give up! It’s awesome once you get the taste doe it :)

@PercyPigAndMe

Was about to be amazed at 50m, 20m ... I doubt you are burning 500 calories, but it's doing you good. Whether it helps with weight less ss depends on how hungry you are as a result, I eat too much after swimming. I'm off in a few minutes

There is no way that is burning 500 cals in half an hour if you are swimming 800m - I can swim about 3,250m in an hour and that's only about 600 according to most online calculators, 750 at most.

In answer to your question though, you need to throw in some faster intervals to get more toned. Perhaps starting with making every 4th length a faster one and build up from there.

Can I just say that the calorie burn isn't of consequence to me really? Shouldn't have included it really as it's not the main objective for me. I'm happy with whatever so no need for focus on that as wasn't my question

Loads of helpful suggestions though so thank you for those