I'm a newbie, to swimming for fitness, but not to general working out.
I'm puzzled about how to make sure my aging bod is set for a good workout in the pool. I've always been under the impression that stretching cold muscles is not very productive, but I also don't think it's wise to drive to the pool, change, and hop straight in the pool and start doing laps.
Do you stretch before you get in the pool (or er, intend to, anyway, most times lol?). Or does a hot tub do any good before a swim workout?
It occurs to me that I'm beginning my swim workout "cold," and that it is maybe impeding my progress.
I think getting warmed up affects how my body uses oxygen.
I think it does too. Most of my workouts are done in the afternoon after I leave work. I swim with a kids team and they start at 4:00. I can't get there till 4:30, so I miss the proper warmup. I try to start out easy, but sometimes it's difficult due to the set the team is in the middle of when I join. I find that if I just get in and start swimming full speed it really affects me for the rest of the workout. I get gassed and never feel quite right.
I think getting warmed up affects how my body uses oxygen.
I think it does too. Most of my workouts are done in the afternoon after I leave work. I swim with a kids team and they start at 4:00. I can't get there till 4:30, so I miss the proper warmup. I try to start out easy, but sometimes it's difficult due to the set the team is in the middle of when I join. I find that if I just get in and start swimming full speed it really affects me for the rest of the workout. I get gassed and never feel quite right.
