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Original poster

Tips for a new swimmer please

15 replies

DreamingofTuscany · 15/05/2016 08:24

OK, I enjoyed swimming when I was younger and now enjoy splashing around with my son, but I now want to swim more for fitness. I have (at least) a couple of stone to lose and am going to stop eating rubbish (and maybe visit the gym too).

At the moment I can only do maybe one length without being totally puffed. I suspect my technique is a bit rubbish too, but I have watched my ds's swimming lesson so presumably can concentrate more on getting strokes right. Any advice on how to not look stupid while managing a single lap at a time?

I have bought a hat which I hope will keep my hair dry, have started to take shower gel and body lotion but have found that my nails break when I swim. Is this common?

Any advice from seasoned swimmers gratefully accepted.

OP posts:

lavendersun · 15/05/2016 08:28

Not a seasoned swimmer by any means but I have been having lessons to improve my technique after I avoided swimming for years after breaking my neck.

DH used to coach adult team swimmers but him trying to help me was bloody disastrous and so I stopped swimming for ten years.

My local pool has adult improver lessons that are drop in so you just go when you can, really experienced swimming coach. I had signed up for lessons with a local tri instructor but moved house. Tried the drop in at the local pool and loved it.

I think a lesson or a few lessons is the way to go.

lavendersun · 15/05/2016 08:30

Must add that the group (4 or 5 people) lessons are lovely, sociable and of course you can take a rest if you need to while the teacher deals with someone else.

Ancienchateau · 15/05/2016 08:40

I'd also recommend some adult lessons. Mil had some as she was scared/ couldn't put her head under. It helped her confidence a lot and now she has learnt the proper techniques it is good exercise for her, especially since other forms of exercise are out due to aged related health issues.

Original poster

DreamingofTuscany · 15/05/2016 09:11

Thanks. Yes, I think lessons may be the way to go too. I like the sound of the adult
improver classes, I will see if my pool does them.

Now, about my nails... Does anyone else have this problem? I usually wear clear nail varnish and my nails are short-mid length ... until I go swimming. Then every time they break! Am I just going to have to resign
myself to short stubby nails - or is this just a problem I have?

Thanks for the replies

OP posts:

earlyriser · 15/05/2016 09:15

Take some almond oil with you and massage it into your nails after swimming, it should help.

Original poster

DreamingofTuscany · 15/05/2016 09:26

Fab, thanks. I'll give it a go. Does it still
work if I have nail vrnish on?

OP posts:

CMOTDibbler · 15/05/2016 20:37

If you watch some of the Swim Smooth you tube vids they are very good.

But just keep at it! When I was relearning to swim I could do 2m of front crawl before spluttering to stop. Then I could do a width, then a length and so on. Now I do 2km

Nail oil does help, but not to keep the varnish on I'm afraid!

Original poster

DreamingofTuscany · 15/05/2016 22:21

Thanks CMOT. I guess I just need to bite the bullit and go (and assume that not everyone is looking at me!).

OP posts:

CMOTDibbler · 16/05/2016 07:29

In the pool I go to, I'd say people notice, but only in a 'oh look, theres that lady again, gosh isn't she improving' way.I see people week after week and still could only describe them as 'checked shorts man' or 'really fast older lady'. And don't recognise anyone out of the pool.

The Boots sun/swim/gym shampoo is very good for keeping your hair in shape. I also recommend a hair turban and a hammam towel for faff free drying - I also have a very small towel (actually a terry nappy square) which I use for an initial dry and then stand on which makes life a lot more pleasant, and the three towels take less space than one normal towel

Davros · 22/05/2016 19:04

I love swimming and being in a pool but I'm a very slow but steady swimming so I was never going to get anything out of swimming but a bit of fun. I have started going to the local pool for Water Workouts. Turns out there is almost one every day and I go to each one I can and have got up to 4 a week and I love it.

Original poster

DreamingofTuscany · 23/05/2016 08:23

CMOT thanks for the shampoo recommendation. It's amazing!

OP posts:

BikeRunSki · 23/05/2016 08:28

I hadn't used that Boits swim shampoo for years as I found it really harsh. My hair is a horrible dry knotty mess after swimming though, so I am going tongued it's go again, sounds like they may have improved the formula.

CMOTDibbler · 23/05/2016 08:56

Glad you like the shampoo - how is the swimming going?

Bikerunski, I use the 3 in 1, and it doesn't seem harsh at all. If I try another shampoo I notice the chlorine smell in my hair which the Boots one seems to take out

Original poster

DreamingofTuscany · 23/05/2016 09:05

The swimming is going ok, albeit slowly
and embarrassing that I can only swim a length a time. I feel much better though and really want to keep it up. Thanks for the encouragement

OP posts:

CMOTDibbler · 23/05/2016 10:19

A length at a time is great though - soon it will be two, then three and then suddenly you'll be swimming 500m in a go!

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