Hey All!
New user to the forum and a newbie masters swimmer. Spent most of the day searching threads for advice, but now I am hopelessly overwhelmed by information, so I am wondering if anyone can answer a few questions or possibly refer me to the appropriate thread.
My goals are to add swimming to my current winter cycling workouts. Eventually, I will add running to the workouts in a few months. I want to swim on my two cycling "off" days. Are there any newbie workouts on the training forum to accommodate this? I don't know where to start, really. Are there any specific swimming training programs that will help a rank beginner? I cannot join my local club as my work schedule is incompatible with my local club's classes/workouts.
My goals are to lose weight and get more fit.
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Is there any way you can spend at least some time with a local masters coach?
So much at your level (and any level for that matter) goes into technique, so the time spent might be worthwhile. They may also be able to craft an individualized workout schedule for you based upon what they assess.
Out of curiosity, at what point in your swimming are you starting? What is your swimming background where you consider yourself a "newbie?"
I agree with SwimDogs. Below is a link to a waterproof book of swim workouts for triathletes. There are also many types of workouts (including tri workouts) on the USMS forum page.
www.amazon.com/.../ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1
Any time you can get with a person that will aid you in starting with the correct strokes will be great, then you can go on your owe with much better results.
Hey guys, thank you for all the good advice! I will see if it's possible to get a private lesson from my local swim club. To answer Swimdogs' question...I have completed 3 sprint triathlons in 2015. I have no "organized" swimming experience. Luckily, I haven't injured myself. I watched a lot of youtube swim form videos and tried my best to focus on good form. I absolutely understand that I need to have good form to reduce the chance of injury...something I definitely do not want to be sidelined by! Thanks again for your advice!
I agree with everyone else here in that getting a coach and having him/her reinforce proper stroke technique is essential. But you should also be selective in the coach that you choose to work with - some coaches may be more focused on yardage and workouts than on teaching instructional drills that will improve your stroke, and you need more of the technical base at this point. Take what you learn with a grain of salt. As you have noted, there are plenty of YouTube videos on swimming out there, each proclaiming that their way is the best. But their way might not be the best for *you* as an individual. The same can be said for coaches. Being a savvy consumer will help you make the most of your swimming experience. Good luck!
