Hi everyone, i really need some advice and this board seems to be filled with knowledgable people. First off im a 23yo, male that is currently in my 6th week of police academy here in maryland. I want to give some background before i go into the questions, im 6'4 around 265lbs, a big build too so its spread out nicely lol, and have had 3 knee surgeries.
The amount of running and defensive tactics work ive been doing over the last 5 weeks have taken there toll on my knee. The instructors have been extremely helpful and have been making sure i ride a bike when my knee is bothering me. Im getting in better shape but its coming at a cost to my knee.
Sorry for all the typing, my question or thought is that being affiliated with the police academy i get a gym membership for free. I want to start swimming after the academy every night in a way to boost my endurance and get myself in great shape for when i take my physical tests to pass the academy later in april.
Ive heard that swimming is great for getting you inshape and building up your endurance, which im hoping will help my running alot or atleast that is my goal. I have to do a circuit test which consists of all kinds of excersices plus running and i have to do a 1.5 mile run in under 12mins. Im not really worried about not being able to do it, but id like to get into shape so that i can kick its ass so to speak, being a bigger guy running is already challenging enough.
Im really rambling on im sorry, my questions are, will swimming help my running? I know being in the pool will help rest my knee and that is already a huge help. What type of swimming equipment do i need, i was going to wear board shorts and buy a pair of goggles but im not sure if thats the best thing. I would like to continue swimming long after the academy to stay in shape and make life easier on my knees, because being a cop my life may depend on how in shape i am.
Thanks for any advice, again sorry for the rambling on, i wanted to give enough background and info so that you can really give me good advice. Thanks again.
If you don't want to spend the $ on an individual coach, you might find it worth checking out if the gym has adult swim classes. These are grouped by ability so you won't likely be put into a group too advanced or too basic for you. Or once you've been swimming a while, maybe look into joining a masters' group (so you can get feedback from the coach(es) and sometimes other swimmers.
As a runner, I can tell you for sure that swimming has helped my running! More endurance, faster running workouts (tho I'm still a pretty slow swimmer... oh well!).
If you don't want to spend the $ on an individual coach, you might find it worth checking out if the gym has adult swim classes. These are grouped by ability so you won't likely be put into a group too advanced or too basic for you. Or once you've been swimming a while, maybe look into joining a masters' group (so you can get feedback from the coach(es) and sometimes other swimmers.
As a runner, I can tell you for sure that swimming has helped my running! More endurance, faster running workouts (tho I'm still a pretty slow swimmer... oh well!).
