I usually run for exercise, but I am thinking of incorporating swimming several times a week into my workout schedule. For anyone who swims, do you find that swimming is a good form of exercise--for both muscle definition and a calorie-burning workout? Also, for how long do you swim, and how should I feel while swimming (out of breath, or should I swim at a medium to slow pace)
Any general swimming techniques, tips, and personal experiences would be helpful! And I want to know why swimming is not generally recommended as an exercise to prevent osteoporosis.
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Former Member
When I first started swimming laps in college, I had to pace myself to keep from being exhausted in the first 5 min. So I started by working on technique so I could swim for 15 to 20 minutes without more than a couple of sec breaks. If I need a break while swimming I just flip over and float and kick to keep moving. As I got used to this, I extended the time. What I've found (over the years of getting out of shape and then swimming again) is that I can swim 1/2 mile without much effort, but the next day (if I'm out of shape) I feel it. The problem is that I don't feel I've had a workout at all when I'm doing it. But 45 to 60 minutes of swim is a good workout but do the intervals. 10 sec is a good break.
I remember telling my roommate that I was sweating in the water and it feels really strange the first time you notice that. She didn't believe me. She was on the college tennis team so she came with me . . . she lasted about 20 minutes. I swam for 2 hours.
Like as with other exercise, you start with what you can do comfortably, learn the technique, then work on the level of exhertion to increase the cardio and work on speed.
Have fun, Kathy
When I first started swimming laps in college, I had to pace myself to keep from being exhausted in the first 5 min. So I started by working on technique so I could swim for 15 to 20 minutes without more than a couple of sec breaks. If I need a break while swimming I just flip over and float and kick to keep moving. As I got used to this, I extended the time. What I've found (over the years of getting out of shape and then swimming again) is that I can swim 1/2 mile without much effort, but the next day (if I'm out of shape) I feel it. The problem is that I don't feel I've had a workout at all when I'm doing it. But 45 to 60 minutes of swim is a good workout but do the intervals. 10 sec is a good break.
I remember telling my roommate that I was sweating in the water and it feels really strange the first time you notice that. She didn't believe me. She was on the college tennis team so she came with me . . . she lasted about 20 minutes. I swam for 2 hours.
Like as with other exercise, you start with what you can do comfortably, learn the technique, then work on the level of exhertion to increase the cardio and work on speed.
Have fun, Kathy
