FORUMS > Cardio Training Forum Rules

I'm thinking about adding some more cardio to my weekly routine. I have gotten back to running about 20 minutes a day 3 days a week. I'm wanting to add some swimming into the mix, but not sure how to go about doing that. I'm not the world's strongest swimmer, but I figure you have to start somewhere. If any of you guys have some tips/tricks, they would be greatly appreciated.

start off using a kick board. keeps you from drowning and gives you a good workout at the same time.

First: Goggles. Chlorine burns. Burns like hell.

Secondly: I mean just doing laps until exhaustion always feels good. You don't have to have any sort of crazy swim sets when you're starting out. Just enjoy the water.

Thirdly: Try to see if you can get help with technique. Not only will you save your shoulders, but you'll become more efficient with your workouts.

Former swimmer here.

PACE YOURSELF.... long and strong when you are starting out. Do not try to sprint from start to finish or you will not last long. Try to get in 400 yds (about 16 lengths) at first. mix in kicking with a kickboard too if you want.

Buckeye988 said
Thirdly: Try to see if you can get help with technique. Not only will you save your shoulders, but you'll become more efficient with your workouts.

I'm in the same position as the OP, I'm a fairly decent swimmer but have never had any instruction on technique. Do you have any online resources to recommend for developing good form?

I swim 3x a week, mostly freestyle, although sometimes I will work on kicking with a board. My favorite workout for laps is to swim them in sets with a 30 or 60 second break between sets. Warm up with 100 meters (4 laps), then go 150, 250, 500, 250, 150, and then cool down with another 100. So the lap count would be 4x, 6x, 10x, 20x, 10x, 6x, 4x. That gives you 1500 meters which is almost a mile. It may take a bit to get to this length, so you can ratchet down the set count to start 2x, 4x, 6x, 8x, 6x, 4x, 2x, would be just over a 1/2 mile. I find this breaks the monotony of just doing laps, plus it builds your endurance, should you want to do a distance swim. Have fun.

I suggest to not view swimming as per say a cardio exercise for your routine. Especially if you are a beginning swimmer there is little cardio work to be done in the pool. I think it should be viewed more as a muscle relaxing / stretching exercise which are equally as important.


Should you wish to become a strong swimmer I can only suggest to join a club. It's near impossible to learn the correct technique of feeling water without a trainer. However if you wish you can also go to youtube and watch videos by: goswim

these videos portray execellent technique drills and skill workouts. Once you re a skilled swimmer you can do cardio in the water.

I was in your exact position 6 months ago. I actually signed up for lessons at the YMCA and now swim there 3x a week. Once you get to a point where you can amintain a good stroke count try crossfitendurance.com for the swimming programming.

NHsports saidI was in your exact position 6 months ago. I actually signed up for lessons at the YMCA and now swim there 3x a week. Once you get to a point where you can amintain a good stroke count try crossfitendurance.com for the swimming programming.

I swim because my knees are too shot to run anymore, but my swimming is so lousy I go early so there won't be anybody else around. Lessons are a great idea, thanks. It's probably more enjoyable when you know wtf you're doing....

jawrhed said

NHsports saidI was in your exact position 6 months ago. I actually signed up for lessons at the YMCA and now swim there 3x a week. Once you get to a point where you can amintain a good stroke count try crossfitendurance.com for the swimming programming.

I swim because my knees are too shot to run anymore, but my swimming is so lousy I go early so there won't be anybody else around. Lessons are a great idea, thanks. It's probably more enjoyable when you know wtf you're doing....

I have to go at 5am or at lunch time. The pool is packed at all other open times.

I like swimming for the cardio workout the focuses on the upper body (a good antidote to all the time I spend on the bike). I typically use a pull buoy to "float" the legs and got the upper body more involved.

This is a good program to build a good, sound stroke. Starts off with balance drills because balance in the water is a foundation to a good stroke. There are books, videos, and local workshops.

http://www.totalimmersion.net/

this could help lol

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many gyms now have salt water pools which is so much better IMO.

I agree start with the kick board.