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Started By
Message
Swimming to replace running?
Posted on 7/9/18 at 5:48 am
Posted on 7/9/18 at 5:48 am
I’ve been running 10-20 miles a week for a few years, but starting to think about joining a place with an indoor pool to mix it up some. Plus I always hear people say it’s the best exercise you can do. I also want to get away from pounding pavement and eventually ruining my joints.
One problem. I suck at swimming. I can mainly just tread water to keep myself alive, but don’t know the proper way to freestyle. Every time I try, I look like I’m drowning, can’t get propper rhythm and damn near suck water down my lungs trying to breath.
Do any of you swim for exercise? Did you teach yourself or take a few lessons.? Also, how many laps/times a week do you swim?
One problem. I suck at swimming. I can mainly just tread water to keep myself alive, but don’t know the proper way to freestyle. Every time I try, I look like I’m drowning, can’t get propper rhythm and damn near suck water down my lungs trying to breath.
Do any of you swim for exercise? Did you teach yourself or take a few lessons.? Also, how many laps/times a week do you swim?
6
Posted on 7/9/18 at 8:53 am to Columbia
First off, the "pounding pavement and eventually ruining my joints" thing is overplayed. There is research that runners have fewer leg injuries than those staying active with other activities. It's all about knowing your limits, not overdoing it, and not having terrible form/muscle imbalances.
But, swimming is a good workout alternative to supplement. I never swam competitively when I was younger. I am what they call an "adult onset swimmer". I always thought that was a funny term, because as an adult it is definitely harder to learn to swim properly compared to someone who swam when they were younger. About 4 years ago I decided to do a triathlon. Could barely swim there and back in a 25 yard pool. I watched a lot of youtube videos on what a swim stroke should look like. When I started training for my Ironman this past year, I got a coach. This particular coach hires a swim coach who does several group swims a week. I am by no means perfect but this coach (former Olympian) said I had a pretty decent stroke. Just goes to show that you can learn a lot from youtube
I started writing things to start with and realized I had about 10 paragraphs that would probably confuse someone truly starting out. Again, youtube is your friend. I wouldn't even suggest one particular video or anything. People learn differently. Something might click with you that didn't for me. I know I took in a bunch of different sources.
But, swimming is a good workout alternative to supplement. I never swam competitively when I was younger. I am what they call an "adult onset swimmer". I always thought that was a funny term, because as an adult it is definitely harder to learn to swim properly compared to someone who swam when they were younger. About 4 years ago I decided to do a triathlon. Could barely swim there and back in a 25 yard pool. I watched a lot of youtube videos on what a swim stroke should look like. When I started training for my Ironman this past year, I got a coach. This particular coach hires a swim coach who does several group swims a week. I am by no means perfect but this coach (former Olympian) said I had a pretty decent stroke. Just goes to show that you can learn a lot from youtube
I started writing things to start with and realized I had about 10 paragraphs that would probably confuse someone truly starting out. Again, youtube is your friend. I wouldn't even suggest one particular video or anything. People learn differently. Something might click with you that didn't for me. I know I took in a bunch of different sources.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 9:41 am to KG6
Thanks for the response. Did you use any training devices during early learning like a type of training float?
Posted on 7/9/18 at 10:08 am to Columbia
Try a pull bouy. It will keep your legs and hips elevated and help improve your body alignment. 8 kicks per side along with fingertip drag are really good drills also for beginners to begin to feel the body rotation, balance, and high elbow you want in the stroke.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 10:26 am to Columbia
That was one of the things I started to type out.
I used a pull bouy to learn. It helped me a lot. But I also know some people just use it as a crutch and it's detrimental to their learning. It did several things for me.
1)help slow everything down without sinking so you can learn breathing timing (out underwater, rotate head, in). Your breath timing and stroke timing has to become second nature. Takes a little while to develop that and not having to concentrate on keeping your hips and legs doing the right thing while learning that is nice.
2)Helps get a feel for how your body should rotate back and forth. Take the kicking out of the equation and really feel how your body needs to rotate as you reach and recover with each arm
3)Helps get a feel for how your body should sit in the water. This is also where it becomes a crutch. Many people are faster without kicking and using that pull buoy, because when they get rid of it, they sink. You have to learn to use your core to keep your hips up without it. But when just learning, it's good to get the feel and be able to concentrate on the other things.
Until everything becomes second nature, swimming can feel awkward. If I go several weeks without getting in the pool, nothing feels right. And then when you get tired, it's the same thing. You can't hold your core as efficiently, but you don't notice and it just throws everything off.
I used a pull bouy to learn. It helped me a lot. But I also know some people just use it as a crutch and it's detrimental to their learning. It did several things for me.
1)help slow everything down without sinking so you can learn breathing timing (out underwater, rotate head, in). Your breath timing and stroke timing has to become second nature. Takes a little while to develop that and not having to concentrate on keeping your hips and legs doing the right thing while learning that is nice.
2)Helps get a feel for how your body should rotate back and forth. Take the kicking out of the equation and really feel how your body needs to rotate as you reach and recover with each arm
3)Helps get a feel for how your body should sit in the water. This is also where it becomes a crutch. Many people are faster without kicking and using that pull buoy, because when they get rid of it, they sink. You have to learn to use your core to keep your hips up without it. But when just learning, it's good to get the feel and be able to concentrate on the other things.
Until everything becomes second nature, swimming can feel awkward. If I go several weeks without getting in the pool, nothing feels right. And then when you get tired, it's the same thing. You can't hold your core as efficiently, but you don't notice and it just throws everything off.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 12:15 pm to KG6
quote:
First off, the "pounding pavement and eventually ruining my joints" thing is overplayed.
Yep, there is a book called Born to Run about a mexican tribe that runs a marathon every day barefoot. Said they do it into their 70s and rarely have injuries
Our bodies were made to move, and often
Posted on 7/9/18 at 12:33 pm to Columbia
I've used swimming for cardio. I suck and have to doggy paddle/flail to stay afloat.
Sucking at swimming actually gives you a good cardio workout. If I was better at swimming, I might get better long distance work in, but being bad at it enables you to get HIIT based on trying not to sink.
Sucking at swimming actually gives you a good cardio workout. If I was better at swimming, I might get better long distance work in, but being bad at it enables you to get HIIT based on trying not to sink.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 12:53 pm to Rep520
I guess somewhat similar is treading water. While I don't swim very often for exercise, I will sometimes go for a dip after lifting weights and tread water (anywhere from 10-30 minutes). Sometimes going back and forth between only using arms or legs.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 12:55 pm to litenin
quote:
I guess somewhat similar is treading water. While I don't swim very often for exercise, I will sometimes go for a dip after lifting weights and tread water (anywhere from 10-30 minutes). Sometimes going back and forth between only using arms or legs.
I've done exactly that for Tabata intervals.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 1:35 pm to Rep520
Proper technique can still give one hell of a HIIT workout. You just go faster though. I will say I've never really been a lifter, but my arms stay in decent shape for not touching weights when I swim a lot. Shoulders, triceps, back, etc. all get a pretty good workout if you are doing it right.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 1:39 pm to Rep520
Easy to find adult swimming lessons. Just because you can tread water does not mean you can swim. Take lessons. There is no shame to it.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 2:02 pm to Columbia
Find a Masters swim club in your area. They typically are very welcoming to swimmers of all abilities and ages. Usually get good instruction and structured workouts. You will be in a lane with swimmers of similar skill level.
I wouldn’t stop running though. Swimming is good way to balance out your running workouts.
I wouldn’t stop running though. Swimming is good way to balance out your running workouts.
Posted on 7/9/18 at 2:43 pm to Popths
quote:
Easy to find adult swimming lessons. Just because you can tread water does not mean you can swim. Take lessons. There is no shame to it.
I can swim, I'm just really bad at it. I have a controlled flailing forward that is simultaneously physically exhausting and unproductive, but I don't sink.
My wife can't swim period, so I have very little incentive to learn. I'm by default the best swimmer and none of our vacations involve swimming.
Posted on 7/11/18 at 6:28 am to dallastiger55
One of my favorite books!
Posted on 7/11/18 at 12:56 pm to Columbia
I swim 4 days a week about 2500 yards per workout. I have for years and was a competitive swimmer in my youth. Now I just do it for fitness. Where are you located?
Posted on 7/11/18 at 8:12 pm to Columbia
A few good things about swimming:
Good time of year when it is so hot outside to run
Total body workout
Get more workout in in shorter amount of time, IMO.
I run all the time now, but I can swim. I'm not any good, for sure, but I can keep a pace. I highly recommend some type of swimming if you are interested and have the means.
If I weren't trying to run 1000 miles for this calendar year, I'd go back to swimming more, at least once a week.
Good time of year when it is so hot outside to run
Total body workout
Get more workout in in shorter amount of time, IMO.
I run all the time now, but I can swim. I'm not any good, for sure, but I can keep a pace. I highly recommend some type of swimming if you are interested and have the means.
If I weren't trying to run 1000 miles for this calendar year, I'd go back to swimming more, at least once a week.
Posted on 7/11/18 at 8:16 pm to East Coast Band
Are there any places in BR where you can swim w/o being on some swim team or have to participate in swim meets? Other that the YMCA?
Posted on 7/12/18 at 6:09 am to SouthernInsanity
Used to swim at the Rec when in school. Also, plenty of larger gyms have lap pools. Not sure specifically in BR. But they'll probably all be as expensive as a YMCA membership or more. I'm lucky to have plenty of 24 hr fitness around me with lap pools. $29 a month and I can swim anywhere in the Houston area. It's great at lunch hour. Not sweaty when going back to the office.
Posted on 7/12/18 at 6:39 am to SouthernInsanity
quote:
re there any places in BR where you can swim w/o being on some swim team or have to participate in swim meets? Other that the YMCA
Manship ymca has a nice lap pool. Not sure if you can use the LSU pools without being a student or staff and Ketchum nat at jimmy swaggart pretty much reserved for Crawfish Aquatic. LA fitness on Siegen has a nice indoor pool.
Posted on 7/15/18 at 7:36 am to BatonRougeBuckeye
quote:
Where are you located?
Brandon, MS. Been practicing this week at my neighborhood pool. I want to use a lap pool once I get better. I hate to join a gym, but that seems to be the only option. The membership fees are ridiculous. Cheapest option is the Y, but I’m gonna wait till I get my rhythm and breathing down. Made good progress this week. I like the pull buoy but feel it’s too much of a crutch. I use it initially but then go natural.
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