After a long layoff, I am getting back into swimming and I have some questions to ask.
1. How often should I rest? I plan on practicing at least 4 or 5 times a week. Bear in mind I am going to start out very slowly.
2. Any recommendations for a goggles or swim mask? I am thinking of using a swim mask starting out.
3. What should my basic swim program entail?
4. What should I be aware of starting out?
Parents
Former Member
I just got back into several months ago, and really into it a little over a month ago.
I let myself go, and really got out of shape and packed on extra weight. Initially I was swimming 2-3 days a week for 30 minutes at a time. I was also pairing that with some light weight lifting focusing on upper body and arms. I had some shoulder issues that pretty much ended my swimming career early in college (along with they typical competitive burn-out) - so I am extra cautious when it comes to shoulders.
I have slowly worked my way up to in 15 minute increments, and I am currently swimming 1 hour 15 minutes, to 1 hour 30 minutes 3 to four days a week.
Read through the ask Ande section, and there are a ton of tips on there. Also vary your workouts to keep it interesting, as well as challenge yourself. I coach, and I am pretty good at writing workouts for age group swimmers, I just kind of adapt those to fit my needs. The most important thing for me is to write down the workout (be realistic when you write it, but also challenge yourself). The reason I feel the need to write them down is to keep myself honest. With no coach yelling at me, if I don't have them written down, I can easily talk myself out of a set when I get tired.
The most important thing, is to set some goals for yourself - even if it is just for fun. Just like swimming when you were younger, you need to feel a sense of accomplishment, do set goals that you have to work for, but are realistic to achieve.
I just got back into several months ago, and really into it a little over a month ago.
I let myself go, and really got out of shape and packed on extra weight. Initially I was swimming 2-3 days a week for 30 minutes at a time. I was also pairing that with some light weight lifting focusing on upper body and arms. I had some shoulder issues that pretty much ended my swimming career early in college (along with they typical competitive burn-out) - so I am extra cautious when it comes to shoulders.
I have slowly worked my way up to in 15 minute increments, and I am currently swimming 1 hour 15 minutes, to 1 hour 30 minutes 3 to four days a week.
Read through the ask Ande section, and there are a ton of tips on there. Also vary your workouts to keep it interesting, as well as challenge yourself. I coach, and I am pretty good at writing workouts for age group swimmers, I just kind of adapt those to fit my needs. The most important thing for me is to write down the workout (be realistic when you write it, but also challenge yourself). The reason I feel the need to write them down is to keep myself honest. With no coach yelling at me, if I don't have them written down, I can easily talk myself out of a set when I get tired.
The most important thing, is to set some goals for yourself - even if it is just for fun. Just like swimming when you were younger, you need to feel a sense of accomplishment, do set goals that you have to work for, but are realistic to achieve.
