swimming for fitness

[HoppityFrogs]

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

Hello hippo! Of course you can join! Welcome. That's a nice tankini. I might invest in something a bit better than my sports direct jobby.

hissy, no, not continuous. I do 100m (4 lengths) and then have a wee breather. I am pretty fit, but my technique sucks so I get pretty tired. I am WAY better than I was when I first started this though (June - when I picked up my stress fracture running). Back then I could only do 1 length, would get terrible calf cramps and be so knackered leaving the pool my legs were shaking!

Because I now know it's more down to technique than fitness I try to carry on even when my breathing is all over the shop so that I focus more on my technique rather than relying on my breathing, if that makes any sense!

1k in 27 mins. Remembered knickers, forgot hair brush.

My hint - put three pairs of knickers in your bag. Means that you can forget occasionally!

breakfast you are a genius!!!

I have a swimming bag that stays packed with hairbrush, deodorant, hair bands, hats, goggles etc - but I've never thought to keep spare knickers in there!

Welcome Hippo! Swimtag says I did 1386m in 31:27 today. Checking it is getting a bit addictive! Great idea about spare knickers! Since I swim early I put my costume on under joggers and a sweatshirt and then get back into the joggers and sweatshirt afterwards and keep knickers and bra in the bag too. Then I get home for my shower and to get dressed properly. I'm sure I'd only leave something vital at home if I planned to wash and dress at the pool and it would be too much to think about to plan what to wear the night before! Since I've had membership I've got access to different changing rooms with showers with doors on and lots of people do the proper shower thing. There are only two changing rooms so all the ladies come out the shower and get dressed with everyone else! I sneak into one of the two changing rooms though – not good about being naked in the presence of others but maybe too prudish!

I'm impressed by how much you all swim! I do 5 swims a week and alternate between 32 x25m and 20 X 25m. I thought that was quite a lot but I don't having read about all your epic swims!

Well done rights you can try flipping onto your back if you need to regain some breath. Helps strengthen the legs too. I try to include a set or two that makes me use my legs.

Just scoffing some fuel now so I can swim at 6pm.

Week one, day 2. Hopefully the short pauses will be easier to manage today.

I have a feeling I'll need to repeat this week. But that sounds a bit pessimistic after only the first session of the programme! 😊

The spare pair of knickers is inspired, but generally I don't care about pants, commando after a swim is my usual style #TMI

it's bras I forget

I started putting a "spare" spare pair in bag after a couple of episodes having to cycle home commando.
Not recommended

hissy I am a runner so my legs are strong. I'm coming back from injury and swimming to keep my fitness up and using the opportunity to do more core and upper body work.

Also my point was that I know I am fit enough to swim cardio wise, it's my technique that needs work so making myself plough on when I'm struggling makes me focus more on good arms etc rather than flapping about. I'm clearly doing something wrong - I mean people CHAT while swimming!!!????

I use waterproof MP3 player in the pool to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. Brilliant way to pass the time. I love being hill non mates at the pool. I'm disappointed if anyone wants to join me.

Can I join the chat too. Started swimming lessons 4 weeks ago to improve technique. Am currently doing about 60 lengths a time. Around 40 crawl and 20-30 breaststroke. Current target is to get to 100 metres crawl continuously. I thought it was all a technique thing till teacher explained 'swimming fitness' to me.

wee can you explain swimming fitness to me please?

Hello all, I wondered if I could join you?

I used to swim like a frog when I was little, but haven't been in years. I've just had my fourth swim in two weeks and am delighted with my progress - last Monday, first swim in years, I managed a very very difficult 18 lengths (33m pool); today I managed a fairly easy 32! That's just over 1km, which I think isn't bad for such a short time. My arbitrary target was to get to 36 by the end of the month (to double my first swim) and to be honest I could have done it today, but "women's swimming" started and the lanes started to disintegrate. Also my elbow started to complain, is that common with backstrokers?

I have the Sports Direct boyshort swimsuit too

Yay, we are a growing crowd of swimmers! Go us!

weegie when you've done your 2 lengths to get you to 50m, see how far you can get in the third length. Flip over and go on your back when you feel you need to stop because of breathing

The only way to add those lengths is to push off and see how far you get.

It's ALL about mental attitude, if you don't think you can do it, you won't do it

My old teacher told us to do a length on one breath.

Took me 3 Attempts, getting further each time until I made it.

rights it may be your legs and their strength that works against you in burning up oxygen, sounds counterintuitive but I was advised to put head further down, as if I'm holding a tennis ball between chin and chest. This brings the legs up so you don't need to kick much and just use them for balance. The energy you save is used in your arms and core to get you thru the water.

Cheers for tips hissy. Will Def give a go. Going tonight so hopefully can report back a new record!

Rights, I was telling my teacher I'm reasonably fit through other exercise so maybe it's not fitness holding me back. Anyhoo he said the fitness needed for swimming isn't necessarily transferable from other forms if exercise, lime cycling, which I like. He himself does proper long distance marathon swims but apparently cant run for a bus...

I'm on week one of zero to a mile. I can do the hundreds, but only breathing 12 breaths between them is what I'm struggling with.

Friend on zero to 1650 Facebook group said to stick at it, and just push off hard when you're not quite recovered, eventually it'll get easier. Apparently.

Forgot the flaming bra last night. Thank god for autumn, thank god for hoodies...

I was also told by a nutter mad fitness guy at work that the only way of getting to distance swimming is by getting in the pool. Nothing else will get you there.

1K done. Busy. Got glared at!!

Didn't forget anything today but didn't take my towel poolside and thought some bugger had pinched it. I'd left it in the cubicle.

Welcome Weegie and Quim. Lovely to have you all here! I was talking to a fellow swimmer (yes, chatting!) who said he used to be able to do a mile in 30mins but is out of practise. 40 lengths = 0.82 miles so I'd have to do 48 for a mile! Over the 40 lengths I currently do I alternate 1 length crawl and 1 length backstroke and find that the backstroke length helps me to catch my breath again.

hissy I have no clue what you're talking about!
What do you mean by "only breathing 12 breaths between them". I love that I'm learning new things here. I never thought I would regard myself as a swimmer!

Thanks for the head tip, I will try that. I was already told by a friend to put it down further than I was, but this is even more. When I've used a pull buoy I've really noticed how it brings my legs up. I might get one actually.

wee, I am like your teacher but the other way. I can happily run for 2hrs on a cup of tea, with a couple of podcasts for company. If it's a training run I'll just go at my happy pace and it barely feels like effort at all. 25m in a pool? Knackered!

Singing I do that! I do 2 x front call, 2 x backstroke, 2 x breaststroke, 2 x backstroke etc. - the backstroke lengths help me recover, so if I'm struggling I'm less likely to throw the towel in because I know I only need to reach the end, then I'll be able to catch my breath (without just standing in the shallows panting).

I'm thinking of making it just 1 length of backstroke to recover, because yesterday my elbow started twingeing on the downstroke, and I really don't want to end up with any kind of injury by overdoing it so suddenly...

25 minutes today.
Remembered spare knickers (x2)
Forgot hairbrush