Starting swimming

[-Savage-]

Hey all. Been seeing the physio for a while now and I've been told to build muscle in my legs. I've screws in my ankle, and a dodgy knee on the other leg, so swimming was decided upon. Started today, got changed, into the pool and started off.



Got half a length before I had to switch to backstroke

In total I managed 2 lengths lmao.

Grabbed onto the side and kicked my legs a bit, but my muscles started to cramp, so I called it quits as I wanted to be able to walk out of the pool lol.


Anyone else started swimming? How long did it take to notice an improvement in your fitness/number of lengths? Any tips?
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[Walloper]

Don't go mental at first. Use your buoyancy and float more than swim.

If you can get on an exercise bike it will maybe help build muscle with less chance of drowning if you get cramp.

The thing about physio is most/a lot of folk who start physio probably never did much swimming/cycling in the first place so you are virtually starting from scratch when everyone will get pain.

Tip: Buy a lot of those Muscle mags that have tons of HD photos of semi-clad/nakehd young men from W.H. Smiths so you will fit in at the gym.
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[Joenitro]

It's like anything mate. Just keep at it and you'll improve. You did two lengths this time so next time aim for three or even two and a half if you can't manage that.

Slow and steady is the key to a good recovery. Try to do too much too soon and you'll just end up making your condition worse.

[carlosthejack...]

Take it a session at a time. Minimal gains. Don't get disheartened and you'll get there. I've got to improve my endurance and open water swimming, I'm doing a triathlon next year.
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[pinkyfloyd]

Do breast stroke. Its a non taxing slow moving work out that does work out the whole body.
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[-Savage-]

I'm to avoid breast stroke as it's too orbital, straight legged kicking is what I'm to be doing, so front crawl and back stroke are ok.

I'm recovered now, but tbh I was nearly at the vomiting stage earlier lol, I haven't been in a pool for years and it shows lol.
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[map]

[pinkyfloyd]

[Flatbadger]

From what I remember (regular swimming doesn't happen now), you'll likely notice an improvement the next time you go. I was swimming weekly while at school (when I had to) and every week I got better.

I never much liked the chlorine though, that didn't improve.
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[Skudd]

I used to swim about 3-4 miles a day. You will get better and stronger, each time try to do another length until you get to to about 30 lengths then try to do that a bit quicker, then increase the amount of lengths you do until you are doing about a mile each time. You will find everything gets easier, walking, moving, breathing etc. It does take time, but you should be up to a mile within 6 months if you go two to three times a week.
Breast stroke is a good stroke to get all round muscles and joints going (if done correctly) freestyle and back stroke you will tend to just use your arms to pull you through the water instead of kicking and pushing you through the water, fly may be too much for you and does need a bit of practice.
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[Walloper]

[Alpha-9]

I hate the breast stroke (in swimming)

Just take your time and don't push it, you're there to slowly regain your strength not to swim the channel. So carry on as you are, don't strain your injuries
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[tbourner]

I'd say 0.5 lengths of crawl and 1.5 lengths of backstroke is bloody good for first time out!! Try for 1 length of backstroke followed by 1 of crawl the next couple of times you go, then increase to 1.5 of each, then 2 of each etc.
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[hellkat]

You can do breast stroke and kick normally, you know.

I found similarly that after 30 years of swimming avoidance, I couldn't even do a length of crawl. As I used to easily do 40 or more when I was a teenager, I was mortified.

So I just stuck to breast-stroke and backstroke for a while, and steadily built up my stamina, then one day I tried doing a length of crawl again, found I could do a whole one without stopping, and then went on to do one or two more.

So it would be easy to build up once you have acclimatised yourself.
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[U_W v2.0]

dunno if its been said,

but swimming and running have 2 things in common,

1) use of legs
2) the need to stretch/warm up prior to exerting yourself.
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[Chalky.]

[Chalky.]

[Walloper]

[Asharin]

As has been mentioned above, take it slow. I recently started too, and despite the fact I run between 5k and 10k every single day, I can't do more than 3 lengths of the pool, and the latter 2 of those are at a snails pace because I'm knackered lol
You use a lot of different muscles when swimming so it gives the body a good overall workout. It will take a whole to get into it but the rewards, or so I am told, are worth it.

Still embarrassing when a 70+ yr old grandad swims about 6 lengths for every 2 of mine though.....
I suppose I shouldn't complain though, the way he walks, he would only run 2m for every 1km of mine..all evens out I guess lol