Swimming (fitness)

[KLR600]

I keep reading that swimming is really good for fitness work as it works most of the muscles in your body but as your whole body is supported it's rare to get swimming related injuries but I haven't been to a swimming pool since school PE lessons (I can still swim ok though I think, swam in a few lakes for a few summers) and generally have no idea what the score is.

My local swimming pool is open for public swimming between 7am-6pm weekdays so can I just arrive and swim a load of lengths and go?

I'm thinking of trying to do an hour or so before work maybe twice a week if I can force myself out of bed. Is the pool likely to be busy between 8-9am? It's a pretty big pool and is only 2 years old so should be all modern and serves quite a large area although there's another pool about 10 miles away which is quite a bit older but serves a lot of schools.

Does anybody swim for fitness type work here? Any advice or tips? I'll be aiming for a proper workout and a not a gentle swim. I think I'm going to feel like a fool for the first few times just jumping in and swimming lengths (aka splashing around trying to look like I know what I'm doing!) for an hour, any ideas on how not to get bored? I can't imagine swimming lengths for an hour to be mega exciting.
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[instigator]

Get a timetable and find out when there is lane swimming.

Or ask the swimming pool attendant what the quietest times are in the pool. I swim for 30mins each day at lunchtimes and even then it gets quite busy. But then, that's London....innit.

Also, when you go the first time, ask to see if there are communal floats that you can use. One for your arms (exercises the legs) and one that goes between your legs (exercises the arms).

I, personally, don't bother with breast stroke, it's just not a workout. Front crawl all the way and I don't get out until I'm proper fucked.

As for boredom, well, hell, I love it but always have so can't help you there - my life used to be defined by following that black line up and down.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

I went swimming last month for the first time in ages.

I was fucked after about half an hour. Then again, I am a rubbish swimmer.
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[Tonka]

The local pool to me has a dedicated section with two lanes cordoned off for people to swim up and down uninterrupted. There are times on the schedule for adults only (ie. no splashing kids, but then again ) and I find that early morning there seem to be loads of those hardy pensioners about in their floral plastic hats

I sometimes feel a bit intimidated if there are really fast and efficient swimmers in the lanes, so I just swim alongside on the open pool section. There is a clock on the wall for you to time your lengths and keep your pace up, other than that to start with, just keep swimming for a set period of time and then build up from there. It's a bit like running training - you'll get better by doing 'sprint lengths' intermittently once your muscles are all warmed up. Don't overdo the minute you touch the water as supported or not you can still hurt yourself if you're really silly!

Most importantly enjoy
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[AC]

alternate your lengths between front crawl, breaststroke and back stroke. If you can do butterfly and not too many people about then that as well.
This will give you the high cardio/resting cardio workout as well as switching which muscles are being used. If you get out of breath on front crawl do breaststroke to catch your breath rather than stopping at the end. If you cant get any floats from the pool just dont kick your legs, then the same with your arms

[ClaireBear]

I find it a good idea to set myself a 'goal' or number for my lengths- makes it more interesting and gives you a sense of accomplishment

[Visitor Q]

In an empty pool... love it.

However, I'm very much like a cheetah on both land and at sea. Bloody fast (for very short bursts). As such, lane swimming drives me nuts as I always get held up, and you don't want to think about trying to swim lanes when it's not cordoned off.

Just a heads up on your patience levels. Would invest in a set of goggles aswell, stop you boshing your head on the ends
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[garth]

I went again a while back. Just so happens I did my shoulders the day before (freeweights).

Bad idea, hurt like fuck, not done it again since.
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[instigator]

[AC]

[G]

Wow, pool rage!