I have recently gotten back into swimming after being out for 12 yrs. Right now I can swim a very sad 800 yards 2-3 times a week, but I'm trying to add 100 every week.
Also, I have started weight training on alternating days. I find that my body simply cannot handle working out in the gym, then swimming laps directly afterwards.
My question is this: Is this too much of a workout in one week? Since I'm just starting out, I don't want to overdo it. I don't feel fatigued as long as I alternate my days, but I've been told the rule about giving my muscles 24 hours to build themselves back up. I don't want to do any major damage. Any advice?
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Former Member
I do weights twice a week (T,F) and swim four times a week. One day off. I'm a little older (37) so I need more time between weight sessions. As I am also getting back into shape, I feel your pain, well my pain anyway. I think your schedule is fine, but do be careful of any joints you may have had problems with before. It's OK for your muscles to be sore, but not for your joints! Any time you add new exercises, you are at risk for injury.
I've found that doing weights makes swimming practices more unpredictable. Some days you can be really sore, and not much use. Some days you feel great. Just play it by ear. Often after a few 100 the muscle soreness will work itself out. (Motion is lotion.)
Your body does need time to recover, but that time is in proportion to the how difficult the activity is. As long as your swimming is mainly aerobic, think of it like a walk would be. Not a problem every day, twice a day or every other day. If you start doing sprint butterfly from the blocks every swimming day, then I'd recommend some extra rest days.
Swim fast,
Greg
I do weights twice a week (T,F) and swim four times a week. One day off. I'm a little older (37) so I need more time between weight sessions. As I am also getting back into shape, I feel your pain, well my pain anyway. I think your schedule is fine, but do be careful of any joints you may have had problems with before. It's OK for your muscles to be sore, but not for your joints! Any time you add new exercises, you are at risk for injury.
I've found that doing weights makes swimming practices more unpredictable. Some days you can be really sore, and not much use. Some days you feel great. Just play it by ear. Often after a few 100 the muscle soreness will work itself out. (Motion is lotion.)
Your body does need time to recover, but that time is in proportion to the how difficult the activity is. As long as your swimming is mainly aerobic, think of it like a walk would be. Not a problem every day, twice a day or every other day. If you start doing sprint butterfly from the blocks every swimming day, then I'd recommend some extra rest days.
Swim fast,
Greg
