Hey guys.
It's in the first few hours of 2009 right now, and I've resolved to join a gym and incorporate several weekly swimming workouts into my fitness regime. I bet no one has ever made that resolution before, right? I thought I would say hello to what seems like a great, knowledgeable, and supportive swimming community.
I have zero experience, myself. I know how to swim if by "knowing how to swim" means "not drowning." But after I've immersed myself in reading a few hours worth of threads to get my toes wet, so to speak, in the world of swimming, I realize how much I don't know. Like technique, form, etc. It's almost overwhelming.
Personally, I'm a male in my mid-20's, finishing up a graduate-type degree. I have a BMI around 23, and am in reasonable shape from half a year of playing tennis three times weekly. I decided that a local YMCA is probably the best bet for me. I have no desire to swim competitively (yet), only to swim for fitness.
So, a few questions:
I'm purchasing a pair of swim goggles definitely. But is it necessary to purchase a Speedo swim suit? When I join a new sport, I like to do things right. I only have board shorts (quite long ones at that). Do many male swimmers wear speedos at pools like the YMCA? It would feel kind of ridiculous to swim in all the fabric of my board shorts, but I don't want to be the only guy in spandex.
Also, in terms of pool schedules, do you have to personally sign up for a lap lane or can you just hop in a dedicated lap lane when it's available on the schedule?
What's a good resource for beginning my swimming experience?
Thanks, and I'm glad to join this community!
Happy New Year Swimsical!
Deciding to swim for fitness is probably one of the better decisions will make in your life :)
Where do you live?
The best advice I could give you is to try to locate a masters swim program near to your home. Contact the coach and ask to meet or better yet, ask if they would have time to give you an entry level evaluation/lesson.
www.usms.org/.../usmsclubs.php
Some programs offer this already with new swimmers.
Here at Nova Masters, we recently began to offer a new swimmer session called NOVA Swim 101 to teach all the basics.
We also have a coaching strategy for the first session a novice swimmer joins in a practice providing there is time and space to work with them.
If you do have to schedule and pay for an evaluation/lesson, it would be worth it. Probably save you weeks or even months of frustration trying to learn these things on your own.
I watch fitness lap swimmers who practice in the lanes next to our masters swim lanes all the time. Sometimes even a few words with them about their technique can make a huge improvement in the quality of spectating for me :)
Some really good technique advice (with video) is at www.goswim.tv
If you are by chance living in or visiting Southern California, I would be happy to help you.
www.novamasters.com
Good luck in your future of swimming!
Happy New Year Swimsical!
Deciding to swim for fitness is probably one of the better decisions will make in your life :)
Where do you live?
The best advice I could give you is to try to locate a masters swim program near to your home. Contact the coach and ask to meet or better yet, ask if they would have time to give you an entry level evaluation/lesson.
www.usms.org/.../usmsclubs.php
Some programs offer this already with new swimmers.
Here at Nova Masters, we recently began to offer a new swimmer session called NOVA Swim 101 to teach all the basics.
We also have a coaching strategy for the first session a novice swimmer joins in a practice providing there is time and space to work with them.
If you do have to schedule and pay for an evaluation/lesson, it would be worth it. Probably save you weeks or even months of frustration trying to learn these things on your own.
I watch fitness lap swimmers who practice in the lanes next to our masters swim lanes all the time. Sometimes even a few words with them about their technique can make a huge improvement in the quality of spectating for me :)
Some really good technique advice (with video) is at www.goswim.tv
If you are by chance living in or visiting Southern California, I would be happy to help you.
www.novamasters.com
Good luck in your future of swimming!
