swimming for fitness

[HoppityFrogs]

I've started swimming to get fit, does anybody else swim for fit? Can we encourage each other?

I haven't tried early swimming yet, but maybe over Christmas I could see how I get on

I do need to find more time to swim unencumbered, and if I swim too late I can't sleep for all the endorphins

Bing huge squidgy cuddle for you. I've dropped a few clothes sizes, and my limbs are looking good, but a way to go to be athletic... But I'm not swimming for that, I'm swimming for the freedom, the quiet, the isolation, the rush of that perfect length, that feel good flowing motion... The bit after about 700m onwards...

Whip kick is the new safer breast stroke leg, you bring heels up, turn toes out and whip legs out in straight line, not round like we've all been taught before.

There may be a YouTube video?

Me too Hissy, I've got toned thighs and upper arms compared to what I have before. I've had a look a whip kick, apparently it's not so good for knees so I'll steer clear as I've been getting aches in one knee which I didn't get before exercising despite being massively overweight. I need to lose about 9 stone

I meant to ask, does anybody else get hives? I've started getting them on my inner thighs and they are worse on days that I swim. I have never had them at all until I started all this swimming.

Sounds nasty Bing. Maybe you're not managing to get all the chlorine off? I had very itchy legs at first when I started swimming a lot and put it down to the chlorine. I use this stuff and I really think it works: www.proswimwear.co.uk/swim-spray.html

It's better for the knees than frog leg kick as there's no sideways pressure

If I were you I'd focus on front crawl and back stroke, or even just leg drilling with a float and focus on keeping your joints in the right places.

Are you having lessons? That can help to perfect strokes

1 mile done just now...why oh why were people swimming round in circles rather than up and down ?????

Some lanes do that, but you can ask to divide the lane differently if it suits

Are you talking up one side, down the other? A single lane?

Managed 24 lengths today, 20 crawl and 4 with a kick board. Could have done more but I was pushed for time today. I'm very slow though.

Problem was there was only 1/3 pool usable so one big lane - this guy could see I was swimming up and down next to the rope (practically on it to stay out of his way) and kept swimming round in a circle putting himself just too close to the rope for me to get past, but not close enough for me to go the other side of him easily!!! Grrr!!!

This is when you tell him you're on the rope and it'd be better if he stays to one side

He did that on purpose

Oh yes - I spotted that! I find it amazing that I can get my dd10 to show consideration to other swimmers when all these adults can't!

Is this a lane swim?

No - just a 3rd of the pool full of people swimming up and down...(school lessons in rest of pool) - but some of us were up and down and others were round in circles (very slowly)

Sorry I've not RTWF but would anyone be able to point me in direction of good costumes. And good pair of goggles. I went today my goggles were crap and costume uncomfy.

I love my zogg swimsuit. Had it for 3 or 4 years and has survived all the chlorine even when i was going 4 times a week. Its on th looser side because i lost 1st and half.

Can I have tips on breathing for front crawl please? I breathe every other stroke, so always on my right side but this doesn't seem terribly efficient. What should I aim for?

I have aBravissimo costume. Don't know yet how it'll withstand the chlorine but it supports (kind of) my 30g rack. Actually, I always find the fitted costumes a bit disappointing - they're so inferior to a bra that I sometimes wonder whether a normal costume with the squashed pancake look might be just as good.
Goggles are Aqua Sphere Eagles.
Some tips on bilateral breathing.

I wear zoggs and tyr costumes (size 18 36h) and they are pretty good! I live with being squashed tho!

3 or 4 YEARS???

I'm lucky to get 3 months out of mine!

Even the aqua spheres!

Am I doing something wrong? Do you just rinse them out? No wringing?

Best, ideal is every other, as it helps protect the neck from strains

This is it . They dont seem to do the racing back version anymore which is a shame

Sorry didnt mean to post it 3 times

Ah thanks. That's amazing 3-4 years?
Is sizing length of body? I swam for a club years ago and I can't remember

Im short so body length is not normally a problem,but i always go a size up for swimsuits anyway.

My swimsuits last about a year and I swim twice a week. I sometimes buy Zoggs in the sale, but my favourites are Asda's with tummy control. They last just as long and cost about £12! I'm definitely short in the body though.