Swimming?

[jyl]

As a kid, I was a good swimmer. Thus I've always assumed I could swim. Imagine my dismay recently, in Lake Tahoe, when I realized my swimming skills were so feeble that I was in real danger of drowning in some light chop just 50 feet from shore. Ooch.

I went to the local pool today and swam some laps with my son, who is becoming a good swimmer. I seem to remember the strokes, but the forward motion is not what it should be. Also, I now sink like a stone - treading water is a challenge.

I think I'll try to swim at least weekly from now on. For survival purposes. And for health - I'm told it is good cardio exercise, but not necessarily great for weight loss or fat burning?

Plus, there were at least a few scenic views to be had.

Who here swims? What's your favorite stroke? Is it good for weight loss, toning, body definition, anything like that?

[Tobra]

Keep in mind that water is plenty cold, and that light chop was probably worse than you realize, due to the size and depth of the lake.

Go up the Mt Rose Hwy to the look out if you have not already. good views also if you hike up the fire road next door to the Crystal Bay Club, or what ever they call the one next to Cal Neva

[jyl]

Thanks, but 50 feet further out my 11 y/o son and a gaggle of friends were happily swimming, diving, floating, chatting, etc. It wasn't the conditions, it was me. I'm going to get my swimming chops back. My son is learning the butterfly. I want to learn that stroke too.

[wdfifteen]

Good for you! I'm told swimming is great cardio exercise.
With arthritis in my feet that precludes most forms of exercise, my doc told me to swim 3 times a week to keep my blood pressure and weight down. It would be do-able, as there are pools around here. Unfortunately, I hate it.

[widgeon13]

Had to pass lifesaving to graduate from HS, so yes I swim. They should do this in all schools today. It saves lives. And damn near anyone can swim.

[azasadny]

Put some smaller swim fins on and see how much that improves your swimming.

[s_morrison57]

I just started back swimming at the pool for some exercise and I hear ya about losing that skill we had as kids, was throwing the ball with the kid last week, after 20 min. I stopped, my arm hurt for 3 days, getting old sucks
Finn

[A930Rocket]

My son swims several miles a day as a year round swimmer. It's a great way to lose weight and tone up (as well as eating right).

I would say the free and fly would be the best for conditioning, but doing all four would give variety. Learning the flip turn also makes it quicker and more consistent.

That said, I swim some, but have terrible sinus allergies in the local pool and started walking more.

[azasadny]

My daughter is on the high school swim team so she can stay in shape for the rowing season. she loves it and I'm glad she's swimming rather than running as swimming doesn't damage the joints.... Great exercise!!

[tweezers74]

Good for you, jyl! I took a swimming class at the state university here, thinking I would try doing a triathlon after finishing a full marathon. It was a class specifically for people who wanted to do a triathlon and concentrated on the freestyle. Me, finishing the full marathon about three weeks before walking into the
class, was cocky as anything thinking," I just ran 26.2 miles. How hard could swimming some little ole' laps be?" Ha! I about died and barely made one lap, with fins I might add, before I had to pause and cling to the side of the pool, gasping for air.

Swimming is hard. But it's great exercise. I have continued to swim but still mediocre at it. Haven't done a triathlon because I still can't seem to master it. But, my arms, butt, and midsection have toned up and people have complimented me on my arms. The thing with swimming is that you can be as fit as a fiddle but if you don't have the rhythm down and form down, you are so inefficient out there flailing around that you tire so easily. All my friends who swim peer pressured me into trying swimming because it is so much easier on your joints than running and I could do it even when I am 80 years old. It is relaxing too. I go about once a week (it helps cross train for running and also for my arms for surfing). I go really slow and think about my day as I go back and forth.

Good luck to you and tell us how you are progressing.

[Garp]

Originally Posted by tweezers74

The thing with swimming is that you can be as fit as a fiddle but if you don't have the rhythm down and form down, you are so inefficient out there flailing around that you tire so easily.

This is exactly why I gave up, I need to pick it up again though especially with all my kids having been to swimming school since age 4. They all put me to shame. Perhaps I'll try te right technique with a private tutor, in a private pool.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Garp

This is exactly why I gave up, I need to pick it up again though especially with all my kids having been to swimming school since age 4. They all put me to shame. Perhaps I'll try te right technique with a private tutor, in a private pool.

Growing up surfing, kayaking and body surfing, I am a strong but slow swimmer.

The first time I ever got in a pool with guys that had been on swim teams like Garp's kids, it was a revelation: They were so fast and quiet in the the water, completely at home.

I swim once a week for variety but don't really enjoy it.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by jyl

Thanks, but 50 feet further out my 11 y/o son and a gaggle of friends were happily swimming, diving, floating, chatting, etc. It wasn't the conditions, it was me. I'm going to get my swimming chops back. My son is learning the butterfly. I want to learn that stroke too.

John, take some classes. You need an instructor to analyyze your strokes. When I became an instructor many years back, I had to analyze my strokes so I could instruct others. I see an awful lot of people with poor body position and technique.

[livi]

[QUOTE=jyl;6235066]Plus, there were at least a few scenic views to be had.[QUOTE]

There you go!

Oh, yes its good exercise too. Low impact, easy on joints and ligaments, good cardio and not least - comes in very handy falling of a boat.

Everyone i Sweden can swim. Its been part of the education system for many decades and all children learn in school from early age. I suppose thats the case in USA too?

[jyl]

In the US, there is no compulsory swimming training for kids. Plenty of kids can't swim, esp in the inner cities.

[azasadny]

When I went into the US Navy back in '82, I was amazed how many guys in boot camp didn't know how to swim. Why in the heck would you join the USN if you don't know how to swim?

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by azasadny

When I went into the US Navy back in '82, I was amazed how many guys in boot camp didn't know how to swim. Why in the heck would you join the USN if you don't know how to swim?

We lost three "aqua rocks" during swim quals before flight school. However, swimming in a flight suit, then swimming with flight gear, does suck,

They also taught us a technique called, "drown proofing". Which we affectionately named, "drown assurance proofing".

When I travel, I always stay at a place with a pool. I swim after work, doing the "crawl" we were taught in the Navy. My head stays up and in 20 minutes I feel great. Washes the day off.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

Had to pass lifesaving to graduate from HS, so yes I swim. They should do this in all schools today. It saves lives. And damn near anyone can swim.

Originally Posted by jyl

In the US, there is no compulsory swimming training for kids. Plenty of kids can't swim, esp in the inner cities.

If more boys would join scouts, both of those wouldn't be as much of an issue...


I swam quite a bit when I was younger, but stopped when I stopped going to summer camps. I really had a shocker last year when I took my first swim test for SCUBA.

[tevake]

I've got a suggestion for you. try swimming with a mask and snorkel. No fins, for most its the breathing that lets them down. Its hard to get enough air at the right time while swimming freestyle. But with the mask and snorkel you can keep your head down so your body stays in a good position parallel with the surface gliding well thru the water.
It can help to vary the pace. Slow and easy most of the time. then kick it in at the end.

It's good to swim breast stroke if you just want to cruise along and not fight for a breath or tire yourself too much.
Challenging to get back into swimming after a long time away, But stay at it and you will see big results in short order.

Cheers Richard

[Schrup]

I have been too busy this summer with home projects, but will be returning to the gym soon. I am amazed by some of the Masters swimmers. Some of these folks are large & swim like walruses. They are as fast & efficient as any tri athlete I've seen. On the other hand, occasionally the most fit women in the gym are in the pool grinding out laps.


If there is no scenery, swimming can be incredibly boring. There are two things that make it bearable for me. SwimMP3, works great for underwater listening. The other is my Pool-Mate Pro watch, to track my distance, speed, & efficiency.

I think swimming is a great cardio workout if you can do it for at least 40 minutes. I shoot for 1 to 1.5 hours. It doesn't burn calories as fast as running, closer to cycling. Diet is just as important as exercise for weight lose.