Workout Addictions

RE: Workout Addictions

Former Member — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:39:49 GMT

StewarACarroll "....... 10x300 set on 1.10 pace in short course yards"............ That's more like continuous swimming. No time for chit chat on a set like that. ............. Glad you are addicted to the snorkel though.

RE: Workout Addictions

__steve__ — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 04:52:39 GMT

300 on 1:10 That's what I do on the track with running shoes, but maybe 3 x

RE: Workout Addictions

Former Member — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:29:46 GMT

I have 3 different sets of paddles: * TYR Catalyst: when I want to just grind away a pull set * Finis Agility: when I want to work more on improving my stroke for free * Speedo fingertip: when I'm working more on *** or back Interesting....... I have become finicky about the paddles I use with my addiction now. I have used the TYR catalyst paddles (yellow size) and found the pointed tips to slip a little too much on the catch. There's a positioning that has to be just right with them. The Finis Agility flip flop and wobble around a bit too much.... just don't feel stable going in and out of the turns with them. I'd rather relax my hand muscles and feel the pressure with my arms and shoulders instead. The Speedo fingertips don't feed my addiction enough in terms of riding out the front of my stroke and smooth acceleration into the wall on the final pull going in to the turn. There's just not enough ego involved when you swim with these things. I've been using the Arena Vortex paddles lately and changing the tubing configuration to run horizontal across my wrist and straight across my 4 fingers. There's a bit of cupping in the palm to these, but not too much cupping like the Speedo Tech or Contoured paddles. Too much cupping seems to reduce the total glide feel out front and applies a lot of focused pressure on the center of hand. I'd really like to design my own paddles ........ maybe call them.... "Addictions" .....:-)

RE: Workout Addictions

Former Member — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:12:32 GMT

No toys. I am in a "no toys" phase. I gave away my agility paddles after one workout: They got between me and the water; it felt like trying to play cello while wearing mittens. I like fins every rare while, but they aggravate a chronic tendinitis in my ankles. I do not like pull buoys or kickboards for any reason. It is better to get in the water and swim. When you are done swimming, get out. If you are "grinding it out", you are trying to do too much! But that's just me ... maybe later I will be all for toys! Hm... no toys? I seem to recall someone being very excited about the Instabeats he's got on order. :D

RE: Workout Addictions

jaadams1 — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:54:59 GMT

I like pulling w/ paddles as well. I use TYR Catalyst paddles, but also use a smaller buoy as AZTIMM mentioned above. I really grind away at my pull sets, thinking of the paddles as my "weights" in the water. I can get my heartrate going pretty high too. The only other thing I use is fins. Now I use long fins, where in the past I used the short ones. On my team, we do a kick set every day that usually incorporates the fins, and we do our kicking very fast w/ short rest intervals (e.g. 12 x 100 @ 1:20 in SCYards)

RE: Workout Addictions

knelson — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:29:37 GMT

we do our kicking very fast w/ short rest intervals (e.g. 12 x 100 @ 1:20 in SCYards) Is that fast with long fins? I haven't used fins for so long I have no idea. On my team we rarely do pull sets, but sometimes when we do we put a band around our ankles in addition to using a pull buoy. This makes a much bigger difference than you think it would! We don't swim long sets like this. Usually it will be something like alternating 50s pull with paddles, buoy and band followed by a 25 fast with paddles only. Lots of taking off and putting on equipment in this set...

RE: Workout Addictions

Celestial — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:10:06 GMT

Sigh, we really need a "like" button on the forums! Agreed! My problem is just that I'm addicted to workout! Sometimes I have to remind myself that the reason I'm swimming and training is to go to meets! I love toys most when training alone, they break up the boredom.

RE: Workout Addictions

StewartACarroll — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:51:27 GMT

We do quite a lot of long, fast swims, with little rest with pull bouy and paddles. I look at these sets like James mentioned, as weight training in the pool. We do a mix of distances, but my favorite is the 10x300 set on 1.10 pace in short course yards. This one is a killer! I have also become addicted to my snorkel and try to use this every workout. I find it really helps me work my stroke, by eliminating breathing. I have actually found that it helps my turns, because unless my streamline is right off the wall I will rip the snorkel off on the push off the wall.

RE: Workout Addictions

Former Member — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:27:09 GMT

Better for what? Your sanity or for getting faster? :) I think there's a happy medium. Toys are great, but try to use them sparingly. If you see yourself going for the pull buoy on every longer set then, yes, you are addicted and you should seek help. Well..... yes..... I am addicted to my pull bouy and paddles. I receive much grief when I workout with "real" Masters Swimmers who train regularly. Deservedly so..... but..... I just wanted to check if others had similar struggles doing the yardage. To answer your question "sanity" is the issue. Getting faster is not really much of an option any more. I'd be happy with slowing the decline or just maintenance....... :-)

RE: Workout Addictions

Former Member — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:10:45 GMT

I have never been a big fan of fins...... not sure why. Although I am a stong supporter of having and using a lot of toys on deck. Toys help pass the time. Is it better to swim without toys and just grind it out every day..... or stay entertained with lots of equipment and idle chit chat between sets? I notice my "masters minute" between sets has grown to more than a minute now that I am old.

RE: Workout Addictions

Former Member — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:24:34 GMT

Having said that, my new addiction are the Finis agility paddles, the first paddles I've liked swimming with in 40 years of training. My second new addiction is the snorkel, but I have to use that sparingly since I also have coordination problems breathing while swimming. Below Average Coordination Patrick Pull the snorkel straps very tight, so that when you come off the wall, the force of the water doesn't push it sideways. Big breath before the turn, so that you can give a big clearing blast after the turn. And if you need to, wear a nose clip... YMMV. And I've just started using the Agility paddles, too...

RE: Workout Addictions

knelson — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:14:03 GMT

Is it better to swim without toys and just grind it out every day..... or stay entertained with lots of equipment and idle chit chat between sets? Better for what? Your sanity or for getting faster? :) I think there's a happy medium. Toys are great, but try to use them sparingly. If you see yourself going for the pull buoy on every longer set then, yes, you are addicted and you should seek help.

RE: Workout Addictions

Chris Stevenson — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:59:15 GMT

I'm wondering if this is a healthy addiction. Then again, I am old and need my diaper to stay a float easier. Anything that keeps you coming to the pool is healthy, no matter what that other Smith might say.

RE: Workout Addictions

Patrick W. Brundage — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:54:22 GMT

Started swimming again after quite a few years off. Welcome back. I find pull buoys a distraction from trying to connect my kick to my hip rotation and pull. The again, I'm exceptionally uncoordinated so I need all distractions removed. Having said that, my new addiction are the Finis agility paddles, the first paddles I've liked swimming with in 40 years of training. My second new addiction is the snorkel, but I have to use that sparingly since I also have coordination problems breathing while swimming. Below Average Coordination Patrick

RE: Workout Addictions

Swimosaur — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:32:11 GMT

No toys. I am in a "no toys" phase. I gave away my agility paddles after one workout: They got between me and the water; it felt like trying to play cello while wearing mittens. I like fins every rare while, but they aggravate a chronic tendinitis in my ankles. I do not like pull buoys or kickboards for any reason. Is it better to swim without toys and just grind it out every day..... or stay entertained with lots of equipment and idle chit chat between sets? It is better to get in the water and swim. When you are done swimming, get out. If you are "grinding it out", you are trying to do too much! But that's just me ... maybe later I will be all for toys!

RE: Workout Addictions

sunruh — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:37:33 GMT

I think it's hard to get your heart-rate up or even out of breath while using a buoy and paddles. a few 200s on 2:45lcm or 400m on 6:00 or 800m on 11:30 will change your perception on that! :D like say a set of 7x400m on 7:00, but all have to be under 5:00...2mins is plenty of rest!

RE: Workout Addictions

aztimm — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:27:25 GMT

Anything that keeps you coming to the pool is healthy, no matter what that other Smith might say. Ha! I swim with the team that the other Smith coaches, and I'm sometimes surprised how much pulling I do. As sunruh described, try doing some fast sets of pulling on tight intervals, and you'll certainly get your heart rate up. I use a very small pull buoy (the other Smith's wife makes fun of me/it), and it doesn't have nearly the floaty effects of a normal buoy. I have 3 different sets of paddles: * TYR Catalyst: when I want to just grind away a pull set * Finis Agility: when I want to work more on improving my stroke for free * Speedo fingertip: when I'm working more on *** or back

RE: Workout Addictions

__steve__ — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:41:18 GMT

I wear fins most of the time. But then I have improved since I've been using them

RE: Workout Addictions

Chris Stevenson — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:07:34 GMT

...and make you go first! Sigh, we really need a "like" button on the forums!

RE: Workout Addictions

knelson — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:17:47 GMT

Real Masters Swimmers will support and encourage your workout addictions. ...and make you go first!

RE: Workout Addictions

Rob Copeland — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:00:47 GMT

I receive much grief when I workout with "real" Masters Swimmers...Real Masters are caring, compassionate, understanding and altruistic. Real Masters Swimmers will give you the suit off their butt and lend you a towel. Real Masters Swimmers will support and encourage your workout addictions.

RE: Workout Addictions

Former Member — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:35:00 GMT

Never thought of it as effortless, but I suppose its better than sitting home holding the remote.

RE: Workout Addictions

Former Member — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:33:19 GMT

John If you like paddles You are an "oar whore" It does have a certain ring to it.

RE: Workout Addictions

ande — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:37:09 GMT

John If you like paddles You are an "oar whore"

RE: Workout Addictions

Bobinator — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:30:03 GMT

I think it's hard to get your heart-rate up or even out of breath while using a buoy and paddles. It just feels so effortless and easy. I guess it makes sense since your legs have large muscles which require oxygen to kick and propel you. I can't imagine you are getting much of a "training effect" or workout using your equipment but if you enjoy it and really don't care about the exercise I'd say go for it.