I posted this message a while ago, but I thought I'd ask again. I'm a University student writing an article on people ages 30-50 that swim on a regular basis. Specifically I'm looking for people that had joint or bone problems from other forms of exercise, ex: running- knee problems, and switched to swimming because of the low stress on your joints. Or if you would like to reply to this and tell me why you love to swim and why it helps you, that would be great too.
Thanks,
Rebekah
Parents
Former Member
My reasons are much like those mentioned. I started out with the intent of adding lap swimming as another form of getting a cardio workout. I've always loved the water and how it feels. And while I also like running, I just can't do it anymore on my 50 year old legs.
I decided I needed to improve my stroke to get anywhere and began working with a coach. She thought that I should go beyond the freestyle and work on my *** and backstrokes too, and learn the butterfly and flipturns from scratch. And while it was terribly frustrating at times. I realized at some point that it had been years and years since I had tried to master a new physical skill. Thinking about it that way helped.
Eventually I joined a masters group. We don't do nearly the yardage that some folks here talk about. But I've met great people, I've steadily improved, and have tried a couple of meets - also a new experience for a woman who was in school before title 9.
My blood pressure has dropped several points, my strength has increased (I also do weight work) and when I did a fittness assessment a couple weeks ago I ended up in the 99%ile for women of my age.
So mostly I swim because I enjoy it. But on the days that going out into the cold to drive to the pool seems too hard, I remind myself about the health benefits. I'm even thinking about doing enough running again, to try a triathalon - but it's only a thought.
My reasons are much like those mentioned. I started out with the intent of adding lap swimming as another form of getting a cardio workout. I've always loved the water and how it feels. And while I also like running, I just can't do it anymore on my 50 year old legs.
I decided I needed to improve my stroke to get anywhere and began working with a coach. She thought that I should go beyond the freestyle and work on my *** and backstrokes too, and learn the butterfly and flipturns from scratch. And while it was terribly frustrating at times. I realized at some point that it had been years and years since I had tried to master a new physical skill. Thinking about it that way helped.
Eventually I joined a masters group. We don't do nearly the yardage that some folks here talk about. But I've met great people, I've steadily improved, and have tried a couple of meets - also a new experience for a woman who was in school before title 9.
My blood pressure has dropped several points, my strength has increased (I also do weight work) and when I did a fittness assessment a couple weeks ago I ended up in the 99%ile for women of my age.
So mostly I swim because I enjoy it. But on the days that going out into the cold to drive to the pool seems too hard, I remind myself about the health benefits. I'm even thinking about doing enough running again, to try a triathalon - but it's only a thought.
