Swimming for fitness (part 4). Everyone welcome.

[TheOrigRightsofwomen]

Old thread here

Anyone interesting in swimming for fitness welcome here.
Newbies, experiences, the fast, the slow - we're all sharing, learning and most of all supporting each other.

@pearlsthatwerent I enjoy researching swim wear too. I wear bikinis to swim as I have a long body, so plenty of excuse.

Will you have a birthday swim @TheOrigRightsofwomen?

Happy birthday for the weekend rights.

I too learnt front crawl in my mid-40s. I’m self taught after years watching my kids lessons, plus watching you tube hints n tips. Check out effortless swimming I found their videos helpful. I went back to basics with a float kicking and breathing to practice. I think the hardest thing is after breaststroking hard that’s all legs powered, whereas FC is arms powered so stop kicking to just a flutter whilst you nail the breathing and arm rotation it feels like your not going anywhere but it soon kicks in. Good luck

Still sea swimming here, not long distances normally around 500m / 15mins but that’s enough for me to feel good and cold but not chilled to the bone. Getting colder now though. Have ordered winter swim hat &more fitted swim socks hoping they will help me continue into November is my goal, or all winter if weather allows. There’s a couple of groups here I see going out all year, so I’m going to keep trying. But think the wetsuit will need to start coming with me more now. I was pleased I swam nearly every other day in July / Aug sometimes only a 10min dip but it was really good for my mind as much as my body

@TriSkiRun99 Thank you for the Youtube recommendation: I have been watching videos, but there are so many it's hard to work out which ones to go for. I'm super impressed at you and everyone else who learned front crawl a little later on: I'm determined to do it!

For now, though, just concentrating on swimming 2-3 times a week (1k, 30mins) without being banned for pool-rage. There was someone today who was incredibly splashy and just a bit too slow for the medium lane, which would have been fine; except that he had a giant rest every two lengths, and always recovered just in time to lauch himself in front of me again like a one-man wave machine.

The sea! That's clearly what I need. No danger of any of that nonsense there. Hope your new swim hat does the job, and you manage to keep on throughout the winter.

Popping into ask the hive mind where the best place to buy bikinis for proper swimming is at the moment
(I used to use Newitts and then Wiggle and some of the Esprit stuff is OK but I'm getting nowhere)

• boring plain bikini
• no padding
• ideally shoulder straps not halterneck or anything like that

ideas ?

Hello Is this a place for novices or should I go elsewhere?

I used to swim a lot when I was a kid, but haven’t done any “real” swimming (BA splashing around with kids) for 25 years. Am wanting to get back into it but am nervous about remembering technique as well as my overall fitness levels. Any hints or tricks? What is a good “first swim” in terms of number of lengths?

• PEEKS nervously and “vs” not BA. Clearly typing not my strong suit either!

Welcome Stealth. Novices definitely welcome. I would just go for it and not worry about distance, it’s amazing how quickly you can build it up.

The first 10 are the worst. Once I’ve done 10 I can carry on forever.

Hello Stealth. Of course you are welcome (as long as you respect the lane rules!).

When I've had a break for whatever reason I tend to go for a certain amount of time rather than number of lengths. I'll allow myself to have breaks and try and focus on technique than speed or distances.

I don't think you really lose technique, or at least it will come back quite quickly.

The main thing is to go easy on yourself. I tell myself that if I was able to just jump back in a do my 1K in 24 mins after a break of 3 months it means I probably wasn't trying hard enough before.

Listen Sorry, I can't help with the bikini.
May I ask why you prefer to swim in a two piece? I am tempted myself as I am long of body (and a too short one piece is never a good look), but I don't know if I'd feel self conscious.

I hear good things about Lands End (currently 40% off full price if you sign up for their emails).

Hi Orig
I swim outdoors and its nice to have a decent tan year round
And re the self conscious - once you are up to your neck in the water, nobody cares !

stealthbanana
THere are some really good technique videos on youtube .... my daughter taught herself to tumble turn from them !

And I just listened to myself and ordered a tankini!

The only thing I'd caution about swimming in a two piece in the pool is if you push off from the wall too hard, you might lose the bottoms!

Oh my dear God, that would give "Big Clive" the thrill of his life!

I am definitely a one piece girl!

Any recs for vids - will definitely watch some. And any good pieces of kit for people who last swam in the dark ages (waterproof watches and swizzy new Goggles and that sort of thing?)

What sort of time length do you think is a good “day 1” swim - 15-20 minutes? I emphasise that I am very unfit. I am strong (do a lot of weight training and Pilates) but very little cardio other than fast walking.

Tizwoz
A mate of mine swims butterfly in a bikini - its about getting the fit right

stealth
as somebody who was unable to swim for 4 months during lockdown
I restarted with "as far as I can" and built it back up to my usual

@ListeningQuietly I wear Speedo bikinis as I have a long body. They also do some as separates.

What stroke do you do @stealthbanana?

@TheOrigRightsofwomen I say sod it. My stomach isn't the best due to a large baby but I'm sure no one else cares.

You're right, most people are more worried about themselves than anyone else.

My belly is fine actually, a bit corrugated from the babies, but flat.

I got a bikini at Decathlon.
Lots of the ones on their website are for surfing so guaranteed to stay fitting in huge waves !
Its VERY comfy

My tummy is grim but I gave up caring. It looks better tanned than white.

I love my Lands End tankini :-)
It's actually shorts and high neck top - looks like it could be gym kit.
Very comfortable.

How many people are turning up at your swim sessions, Lasses?

Our Lanes session is 3 big lanes.
Yesterday was 3 in Slow Lane, 5 each in Medium & Fast. Supposed capacity is 10 each lane... I believe a lot of people are booking but not turning up, though.

No booking at my pool thank goodness
we just rock up and swim when we fancy
I got a good dose of vitamin D this morning