Originally Posted By peeaanuut So I cant seem to stick to a workout routine so I end up doing the start and stop thing. Kind of annoying. But the last 2 days I decided to swim laps as a change. So far its been pretty good. The bad part is that I am not a great swimmer so I use a snorkle and goggles in the pool at the gym but at least I am doing it right? haa haa. So my question is this: Does one lap equal going from one side to another or going from one side to another and than back? what do you guys think?
Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x I would think a lap is one side to the other.. because a 400 meter swim is 4 laps (in an olympic size pool)
Originally Posted By peeaanuut well that is a real bummer. I just found out that the pool I am swimming in is 25 meters. So I did 10 laps (according to the above formula) so i swam 250 meters and I was dead tired. Oh well. Hopefully I can keep it up.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut oh and let me add that I have to stop after each lap. oh boy how did I ever get so far out of shape??
Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x baby steps, though...and you'll be able to swim across the rivers of america!!
Originally Posted By bloona Sounds as if youre doing great to me! Its weird that I lift heavier weights at the gym than a lot of women there, but I cant swim a lap without feeling so shattered, and like my arms are going to fall off. And NO WaY can I pull myself out of the pool, how weird hey?
Originally Posted By MouseBear Salutations Peanut, Swimming is excellent exercise but it can be very difficult to do enough of. This is because so much of swimming depends on techique. I would do one of two things about this: 1) Join a Masters swim program, they will teach you to swim and they will eventually get you up to swimming 2000 yds in an hour. If you choose this option be sure to ask questions about how the club is set up. Some clubs are for everyone and include lap swimmers all the way up to former Olympic swimmers. Other clubs are only for elite swimmers. 2) Take swim lessons. This will get you on the path to doing the strokes correctly and will enable you to swim more and more distance without injury. I have done both things and I swim in a Masters program three days a week. I average about 6000 yards a week. I am not a great swimmer. I can swim freestyle well, but I'm terrible at all the other strokes. BTW you are doing the right thing by starting slow. Try to add 4 laps every time you swim or if that is too much add four laps every week. Let me know if you have any questions, MouseBear
Originally Posted By peeaanuut thanks for the info Mousebear. The 4 laps every day seems like alot. What I plan to do is stick with 10 laps for a week than add 2-4 laps every week. If I feel good I will do more. But as it sits, I feel myself slowing down on the 9th and 10th lap and just so spent. I than sit in the jacuzzi afterwards because it helps me back so much. Ill keep you guys posted. The swim class is a good idea.
Originally Posted By peeaanuut I stuck with the 10 laps today. I did try to do 2 back to back but had to stop about 10 meters short as I was dying. But I did feel more relaxed afterwards so that is an approvement.
Originally Posted By smedley peeaanuut, Take it slow, as your fitness level improves so you will be able to swim further without stopping, if I were you I would aim for the 10 laps without stopping before you worry about adding more. As far as technique, yes taking swimming lessons would probably help, make sure you check into the class first to ensure it is suitable for you. That being said, bad technique means you have to work harder to cover the distance, and it is expending more energy for you Good luck with whatever you decide, I wish I had easy access to a pool, I *love* to swim...
