For the last couple of years I was extremely active. I was jogging about 10miles a week, lifing 4 times a week, and well as playing soccer every Sunday.
Last month I had some lower back pain and visited the doctor. I recieved horrible news that I can no longer jog, play soccer, or lift weights because of a herniated disk as well as some other things. She told me that if I want to maintain my fitness I should swim.
I feel great now and the doctor said that if I went back to my normal routine I may be ok for a while, but the problems would re-occur. I am not interested in ruining myself. But want to keep the fitness level I was at or increase it if possible.
I am not a swimmer like most of you are, but I have enjoyed recreational swimming all my life, I am 27 years old 5'7", 170LBS, and 12%BF. What kind of fitness workout would you guys recommend. The strokes I am capable of are *** & freestyle. I feel very awkward doing the others.
What kind of things would you recommend for me. I can swin 6 days per week for 50 minutes each time. I really want to burn fat and maintain (or improve) my body.
Parents
Former Member
I agree with what these other swimmers have said. Your first day in the pool, invest in some time figuring out how far you can swim non-stop, e.g. 1 length, 2 lengths? Time yourself at an easy and moderate pace for these distances. (A good water resistant watch with stop watch function will help a lot.) This will help you establish a base line of distance and time for your specific fitness and skill level. Spend some time researching stroke mechanics so you can practice good mechanics when you swim. On this and other websites, you can find books and videos that will help you. Also, the pool where you swim may have a coach or team or more experienced swimmers who can assist you with mechanics.
I would also add that "drill" may be more difficult than you anticipate. Swimming several lengths doing freestyle drills can be very taxing physically. You can use this time to work on stroke mechanics and it will benefit your lung capacity and increase your heart rate, I predict.
When you get to the workouts, you can modify distances, times and strokes on almost any of the workouts on this site. I find Coach Mo's workouts geared more to drill work than the others while still being very challenging. The other coaches workouts will wait for you to build your skill level and endurance.
Good luck.
I agree with what these other swimmers have said. Your first day in the pool, invest in some time figuring out how far you can swim non-stop, e.g. 1 length, 2 lengths? Time yourself at an easy and moderate pace for these distances. (A good water resistant watch with stop watch function will help a lot.) This will help you establish a base line of distance and time for your specific fitness and skill level. Spend some time researching stroke mechanics so you can practice good mechanics when you swim. On this and other websites, you can find books and videos that will help you. Also, the pool where you swim may have a coach or team or more experienced swimmers who can assist you with mechanics.
I would also add that "drill" may be more difficult than you anticipate. Swimming several lengths doing freestyle drills can be very taxing physically. You can use this time to work on stroke mechanics and it will benefit your lung capacity and increase your heart rate, I predict.
When you get to the workouts, you can modify distances, times and strokes on almost any of the workouts on this site. I find Coach Mo's workouts geared more to drill work than the others while still being very challenging. The other coaches workouts will wait for you to build your skill level and endurance.
Good luck.
