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Original poster

Swimmers advice please

61 replies

Wiifitmama · 02/10/2011 20:40

i started swimming for fitness two months ago. I swim twice a week (I also run and do aqua aerobics twice a week each as well as box once a week so can't fit in more swimming).

I started slowly and built up to doing 40 laps of a 25 m pool (1 km). I alternate 2 laps front crawl with 2 backstroke.

Last week I spoke to a friend of a friend who is a swimmer who told me I should incorporate other training laps such as using a kick board to strengthen my kicking, and a leg float using just my arms. I did this once last week and loved it. It made me realise that my kicking is not strong, but my arms are very strong.

So I want to continue training rather than just swimming but wasn't sure what to do next. With running, I do one straight 5k run each week and one run of speed intervals. Do I do the same with swimming? One swim straight laps and one with training laps? Or always mix it up with both? What else should I be doing? I should probably mention now that I can only swim two strokes - front crawl and backstroke.

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Original poster

Wiifitmama · 02/10/2011 21:55

Really? Wow! People always tell me how eccentric unique I am :)

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hellhasnofury · 02/10/2011 21:56

There was a book out s while ago which was highly rated but lots of coaches I seem to remember. Have you looked at www.swimshop.co.uk to see what they've got in the way of resources?

SazZaVoom · 02/10/2011 22:00

. So effortless. They show above and underwater skills

hellhasnofury · 02/10/2011 22:01

Sleep-DD's squad use various drills when training Inc the one you describe. I think that one helps them to think about bringing their elbow up rather than swinging the a out wide like lots of swimmers do. They also swim 'catch up' where the hand enters the water and pauses til the other hand catches it up and knocks the first hand on.

hellhasnofury · 02/10/2011 22:02

Total Immersion! That was it

SazZaVoom · 02/10/2011 22:02

lol Hellhas

Original poster

Wiifitmama · 02/10/2011 22:04

Very interesting video. He is barely using his legs at all. That makes me feel better about the weak kick I seem to have :)

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SazZaVoom · 02/10/2011 22:04

The arm movement is quite weird, like a marionnette doll. There is NO forced power through the arms, it all comes from the core. I thing this is why they don't favour using floats as you can't get the proper rotation.

I loved my course, was fab, and even if i don't look as effortless as the video, it is a very calm & serene way of swimming

SazZaVoom · 02/10/2011 22:05

You don't kick with the legs, you stroke them up and down in quite a slow beat with the feet turned downwards

hellhasnofury · 02/10/2011 22:06

Legs on front crawl are mainly used for balance unless you're sprinting.

Original poster

Wiifitmama · 02/10/2011 22:07

Very interesting. I will try it out tomorrow with my legs that way.

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babycham42 · 02/10/2011 22:07

Reaching out and pulling towards you = forward propulsion. The less you reach out the less you pull the water which causes your forward movement.

Sleepwhenidie · 02/10/2011 22:09

Thanks hellhas, I remember I was also shown the "catch up" drill too. Must make an effort to do these more often, swimming is usually my "relaxing" workout these days so I am guilty of zoning out and churning out as many lengths as I can in 50 minutes .

SazZaVoom · 02/10/2011 22:09

You need to get the power going by rotating through your core. As Hellhas said, the legs are for stability, power is through the core and the rapid underwater movement of your arms. When you arms are out of the water they should be relaxed and in a rest phase. I know that previously my arm muscles were all tensed as they came out of the water.

Good luck

Sleepwhenidie · 02/10/2011 22:11

I understand that babycham, my point was more that the reaching forward occurs just under the surface of the water, rather than above it?

hellhasnofury · 02/10/2011 22:14

Yup, enter water, reach forward, propel through.

breadfortheboys · 02/10/2011 22:20

Hi Wiifitmama

Sorry, haven't read all the posts so someone has probably mentioned this but does your local pool run adult swimming lessons or have a Masters Club?

I was always a reasonable swimmer but decided I wanted to improve about 12 years ago so took some advanced lessons at my local pool. We did all the drills etc that you mention in your OP. It was only once a week but then I replicated the lesson in my fitness swims for the rest of the week. After a couple of terms I decided I wanted to take it to the next level and joined the local swimming club which met 3 times a week. This was really challenging but great fun.

I was only a member for a year or so as I moved away and found it easier to exercise in studio classes at work.

Ten years on (and two children later) I have realised how much I love swimming so I've just started taking advanced lessons again - really enjoying it and getting the motivation I need to improve again.

Sounds like you are doing really well though (I am in awe as only managing once a week swim at the moment)!

babycham42 · 02/10/2011 22:23

Sorry Sleep I"m a bit of a dinosaur - of the old school. I only know my tried and tested methods.

However I have looked at the video and I have to say it looks beautifully serene and graceful so I"m open to new ideas.

If the reaching out occurs just under the surface of the water though I wonder if this method would be quite as fast as you will be dealing with the resistance of the water in your arm reach - I understand that you would slice through but it seems more efficient in my mind to reach as you enter rather than after???

Original poster

Wiifitmama · 02/10/2011 22:25

I could take adult classes at my pool but it is expensive as it is a Virgin Active club so private lessons. The swim school there is excellent (my kids do the classes) but I think I just can't justify the cost on top of my membership at the moment. I might ask for sme lessons for my next birthday maybe!

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SazZaVoom · 02/10/2011 22:28

Oooh, i am a VA member too. This was the triathlon i did. I think they are repeating it sometime.

Sleepwhenidie · 02/10/2011 22:30

[ponders]...I see what you mean, but it always looks wrong to me when people put their hand into the water at full stretch, I think maybe there is most resistance in the pull when starting that far away...I am trying the movement now and you are really working your shoulder and arm hard (not your lats or hips) to pull it back from there IYSWIM? Probably your hand is better positioned for an efficient stroke at the point you pull back if it is submerged for the reach?

babycham42 · 02/10/2011 22:37

Yes.At the furthest extent of the full reach you aren"t really pulling towards you,are you?You come to a catch point where the pull becomes most effective.

But surely this is the same if you extend to full reach just below the surface?

Original poster

Wiifitmama · 02/10/2011 22:39

Sazavoom - that looks so cool!! I would so do that if they repeat it. I would need to do some training on their bikes first but those distances are totally manageable for me. How fun!

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Sleepwhenidie · 02/10/2011 22:41

No, your hand is lower because as you reach you also push down slightly, it's not a flat reach out...we seem to have hijacked this thread btw , apologies wiifit!

Original poster

Wiifitmama · 02/10/2011 22:48

No problem! It makes very interesting reading! I just have to remember it all when I go swimming tomorrow!

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