Need Help

I agree, drills will improve your swimming allowing you to swim longer and with more intensity. One HUGE WORD OF CAUTION! Don't try to do too much too fast too early and without the right technique. That is a sure way to injure your shoulders or knees and then you wouldn't have any way to exercise at all. Don't be surprise when you get in the pool and find out your endurance from running isn't what you expect. Swimming uses different muscles and for some reason endurance from other sports doesn't 'transfer' well. Since you've lifted weights your muscles are probably going to be tight, you'll need to find some gentle exercises to loosen them. (one thing I see at my pool all the time, young fitness fans--runners, weight lifting and aerobic dance types getting in the pool and swimming with such poor technique that this slow, 50 something, grandmother can lap them easily on her cruise speed) Find a good coach to train you. He/She will gradually and safely bring you up to a level that you desire and teach you correct technique. There is nothing better than one to one coaching. Your appetite will probably increase too and you should look into the proper nutrition for a swimmer.

I guess than my ultimate questions is..... From all your experiences, is it reasonable to think that I can get my heartrate in the target range from just freestyle laps? Since I have never swam for cardio, I am not sure how high it would get from a moderate swim. When I ran I could get my heartrate up without over doing it. Is this possible to do with swimming as well? I realize that the continous laps will be low at first and increase, as well as my distances and stroke rate. I did look into lessons today, and well, 30 learners to one instructor who does not speak English. :( So it seems as if I am stuck with what I have.

Originally posted by SeoulNewfie And, since I am not a swimmer. Would the drill part be needed? Or could I add those 9 minutes to the core? What drills do you plan to do? If you're just starting out from scratch, and if you don't have a coach watching your stroke for areas of improvement and recommending drills to help you make improvements, "drill" may not be of much value to you. It may even be counterproductive if you do them wrong. Have you been in the pool yet? Do you know what you are capable of doing today? Personally, I think you are over-thinking this new regimen.

Originally posted by SeoulNewfie I guess than my ultimate questions is..... From all your experiences, is it reasonable to think that I can get my heartrate in the target range from just freestyle laps? Since I have never swam for cardio, I am not sure how high it would get from a moderate swim. You can get your heartrate to any level you want to in the pool -- whether you do freestyle, butterfly, swim underwater or just do doggie paddle. All you have to do is do whatever you are doing faster (or slower) to get the desired rate. But I still think you are over-thinking this. When you start out as a beginner, your first concern should be not to drown. Once you have some handle on what you can do, then you can start worrying about the details. Seriously, on your first day just see if you can do two length nonstop without wheezing up a lung. You'll be surprised how hard it will be the first day.

Keep in mind that Heart Rate is sport specific. Your max HR will be different for swimming than it is for running. You could do the same heart rate tests you did to determine your max for running. Swim max will most likely be lower.

yeah, I know about the heartrate. I am going to the pool on Monday for the first time. We'll see how it works. I have managed to find a couple of doctor recommended workouts for athletes with lower back problems (basically no bending or lifting above the head) as well as advice on using other forms of cardio (Elliptical Machine). If my doctor approves those I will use them in conjuction with swimming. I am excited about learning a new sport since all impact sports are out of the question now. Thanks for all the help. Hopefully I can get the target heartrate for swimmers for a reasonable time without killing myself! ;)

OH heck yes you will be able to get your heart rate up into the right range. But what we are saying is that if you push yourself into the range you think is right for you now, you may injure your shoulders if you are going to do all free. When you first started running and lifting weights, you built up and had someone advise you on how to do it correctly, didn't you? Even though you are in shape, you have to do the same thing with swimming. Be patient, and since you are in shape you MAY/probably will be able to progress a little faster than most. Don't be afraid that you are going to get out of shape or gain weight while you are learning correct technique and building up endurance/intensity/distance/time. Even if you do, you will gain it back quickly. You don't want to look for swimming lessons, you want to look for a coach to train you one to one unless there is a "masters team" where you live.

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Well, after a week of research and consultation with my doctor I have come up with a program that we all think may work for me. It will involve 3xWeek swimming, 3xWeek Ellipitical Machine, & 3xWeek weight training specfically designed for athletes with lower back pain. Since contact sports are out I would not be surprised at all if in a couple of years I become a swimmer and join some kinda of club or team. Thanks to all of you for you advice. It was most helpful. This has been by far the most usefull forum I have ever been on. So many quick replies with great advice. I hope someday when I return to Canada I can find a Masters Swimming club in my area.