Swimmers....need your input

[banslug]

I took swimming lessons a few months ago and was enjoying it. A change in my younger DS' school schedule forced me to put that on hold for a while. Now that school is starting up again, I will have 2 hours in the morning before I head off to work, so I'd like to get back in the pool.

My question is concerning stamina, endurance, etc. I'm just a beginner. I know that the breathing is tough to synchronize for the freestyle stroke, but I didn't imagine that I wouldn't be able to do more than 1 full lap without having to rest! GEESH!

What's the secret? How do you build up your enudrance and cardio stamina? Just keep at it?

Gayle

 

[aseay]

yes! keep at it! when i first started i was breathing heavy after every lap-well more like every half a lap. after a few weeks i could swim 5 laps straight,take a short break and go on. my legs were very week from being on crutches 6 weeks. i am still working on building my stamina but it has improved greatly. get a digital watch. i always set the timer for 30 minutes to find out if i'm improving. i think i'm ready for 40 min.

laura

 

[AEHaight]

Hi Gayle! Fancy meeting you here.

In regard to swimming, one thing that helped me with the sync was to swim one-armed freestyle to work on the breathing. I did one arm and then the other so I was able to breathe equally well on both sides.

You might also work on stroke efficiency - by that I mean be sure that your hand is all the way back by your hip before you pull it out to rotate forward. That extra travel in the water provides A LOT of propulsion.

Lastly, I found that I was breathing too often. I switched from every stroke to every 3 (alternating sides) and that worked much better.

And - like you said - stick with it. Practice makes perfect!

I'm thinking I really need to swim more...:7

 

[cab0899]

Hi Gayle! BTW, congrats on your new job!

I used to teach swimming/lifeguard in highschool and university.

I agree with the last poster about breathing rate. Make sure that you breathe at a comfortable rate whether it's every second or third stroke. Make sure you're fully exhaling naturally under water and then turning your head whenever you're ready to inhale. Kim

 

[aseay]

just wanna mention that i swam laps tonight. still cannot beat my record of 20 laps in 30 min. but i breath easier and was willing to continue swimming laps after the half hour. also, bring water!

laura

 

[banslug]

Thanks everybody!!!!! I did go from breathing every 4 strokes (same side) to every 3rd (alternating sides) and that helped last time. One thing I was having problems with at first was inhaling water when I turned my head. Which then caused me to cough under water and lose my breath sooner.

PRACTICE.....just what I love! I'll keep you posted, and THANKS AGAIN!

Gayle

p.s. HI ANDREA!!!

 

[aseay]

also,i swim on the days as late asi work,8 or 9:00 and have energy after eating. flexible hours and on my feet 8 hrs.other days,cardio. works out great. i am so glad i joined 24 hour fitness. i am excited to keep improving.

laura

 

[lkl]

once you get experienced, buy webbed swimming mits (from Speedo). they dramatically improve your cardio workout, while toning your arms. one of the best workouts you'll have and they come with small weights to slip in the pockets as you get better.