Hi, first time poster here.
I was wondering if someone can comment on if swimming 30 minutes a day everyday is better, or 1 hour every other day? Sometimes it's tough to find the time to go the pool so I feel I should swim as long as I can to make the trip worth while when I do have a bit of free time. But for better conditioning and stamina, which way is better? half hour everyday of 1 hr every other day? Thanks.
I should point out that I'm a decent swimmer, although I become exhausted if I swim hard longer than 1 hour.
Short sessions can be useful
When I was just starting again, after a 30+ year layoff, 30 minute sessions were very productive. I was out of shape, so all I could do was 5x200 free with lots of rest in between. After 1000 yards, I was done. I didn't want to swim any longer than that.
After a few months, I was in good enough shape to swim a 1650, but then I found other productive uses for short lunchtime sessions. Last winter I decided I wanted to swim the 400 IM at Auburn, despite not swimming a single stroke of butterfly in over 30 years. When you're just starting, how long can you swim butterfly before you're ready to get out of the pool? Not very long. How many 400 IMs can you do? One is enough! I figured out how I wanted to swim a 400 IM using only short 30 minute sessions.
Right now I'm using them for race pace training. I warm up a few hundred, then try to hit target 200 pace for a few 50s, a couple of 100s, or a 150. I can't do many reps at that intensity, so after 30 minutes, it's enough.
Some days it's the only time I have in the pool, so that's also a win.
Short sessions can be very useful.
Short sessions can be useful
When I was just starting again, after a 30+ year layoff, 30 minute sessions were very productive. I was out of shape, so all I could do was 5x200 free with lots of rest in between. After 1000 yards, I was done. I didn't want to swim any longer than that.
After a few months, I was in good enough shape to swim a 1650, but then I found other productive uses for short lunchtime sessions. Last winter I decided I wanted to swim the 400 IM at Auburn, despite not swimming a single stroke of butterfly in over 30 years. When you're just starting, how long can you swim butterfly before you're ready to get out of the pool? Not very long. How many 400 IMs can you do? One is enough! I figured out how I wanted to swim a 400 IM using only short 30 minute sessions.
Right now I'm using them for race pace training. I warm up a few hundred, then try to hit target 200 pace for a few 50s, a couple of 100s, or a 150. I can't do many reps at that intensity, so after 30 minutes, it's enough.
Some days it's the only time I have in the pool, so that's also a win.
Short sessions can be very useful.
