Just went for a yearly checkup. The doctor was pleased that I was continuing to regularly swim. He did suggest, however, "interval training".
Apparently this is something where you swim at a normal pace and then go all out for a lap or two and then back down to a normal pace. The thought is that your body/physiology gets accustomed to your usual pace and doesn't burn as many calories per hour of exercise.(especially as you lose weight).
This is a way to "trick" the body into a heightened metabolic state.
He then said a half hour of this type of training can often be as effective as a full hour of a usual workout.
Anybody heard of this or do it?
Sorry if this has been covered before.
Thanks.
AJD
This is what most USAS/USMS coached work outs are. Sets with varied intensity shorter swims on intervals rather than one huge slow swim. Check out the workouts section of this message board for ideas.
Hey ajdawg ... what you describe in your post is "fartlek" training. That is varying speed within a specified distance, it could have or not have a regular recurring pattern. I think its a Swedish term. Used it a lot when I ran back in the 70's and will still use it on long practice swims now. both interval and fartlek will help. good luck
Interval training really means doing sets rather than just getting in and swimming continuously like many people do during lap swims in contrast to competitive training. I agree that what you described would more properly be called fartlek training. If you aren't currently doing interval training you should check out the "workouts" section here.
What makes intervals so fun, however (10 x 50 on :50) is when you are required to pyramid (fastest 2 in the middle) or descend (each one faster than the prior) the set.
Makes for some interesting mind games when done in a crowded lane with teammates!