This is my first time to this site; it's excellent! I wish I had more time to really surf it.
I'm a recreational swimmer in my late 30's. I swim two mornings during the week, and on either Saturday or Sunday. Due to my work schedule, and the fact that I swim in the morning, I can only allot approx. 30 minutes. So what I've been doing is swimming a mile of free non-stop, usually finishing up with a sprint for the last 80 (it's a small college pool, 20 yards). I want to change up my workout, but there's no Masters group or adult swim group locally, and I don't have the drive to actually GO somewhere that has them (the pool is walking distance from my house).
My questions are:
1. I do a VERY poor butterfly, but I don't know how to correct it without getting some coaching. How does one get coached in swimming (or improve his stroke by reading "how-to' articles) if there aren't any local groups that cater to adults (that I know of--I live in Frederick, MD if anyone knows of someone), and I can't see what my stroke looks like.
2. Is there a recommended 30 minute "fitness" swim workout that you could direct me to? Periodically, on Saturdays, I'll swim about 2500 by 400's, then 300's, etc., each of free, ***, back and free again (where it WOULD be fly).
3. What's the deal with fins and hand paddles? When are these used?
Any help you can give would be appreciated. Until then, it's "TS" for me! (Simpsons reference)
Parents
Former Member
As for fins, its up to you. Their useful in free and back and fly but usually not breaststroke. It will make you swim faster and you will be able to do more yardage. Hand paddles, I would recommend the small ones and doing then no more than twice a week. Also, if the pool provides a kickboard, you can do that or kick without one. You might start out with freestyle warmups from 200 to 400 yards. Follow by 10 x50's of freesyle, *** and back and one of butterfly between 20 to 30 seconds and maybe sprint a couple. Then maybe another 200 yard freestyle. Then maybe 5x 100 of free or *** or back resting between 15 to 30 seconds. Then a 200 yard kick and maybe a 200 yard pull with or without paddles if you have a pull buoy. Then swim freesyle for 300 yards. Then 5x 50 of *** or backstroke,resting 20 seconds or 30 seconds. Then cool down 200 yard freestyle.
As for fins, its up to you. Their useful in free and back and fly but usually not breaststroke. It will make you swim faster and you will be able to do more yardage. Hand paddles, I would recommend the small ones and doing then no more than twice a week. Also, if the pool provides a kickboard, you can do that or kick without one. You might start out with freestyle warmups from 200 to 400 yards. Follow by 10 x50's of freesyle, *** and back and one of butterfly between 20 to 30 seconds and maybe sprint a couple. Then maybe another 200 yard freestyle. Then maybe 5x 100 of free or *** or back resting between 15 to 30 seconds. Then a 200 yard kick and maybe a 200 yard pull with or without paddles if you have a pull buoy. Then swim freesyle for 300 yards. Then 5x 50 of *** or backstroke,resting 20 seconds or 30 seconds. Then cool down 200 yard freestyle.
