Getting Back in the Water

I just got back in the water 3 weeks ago after being out of the sport for 18 years. It amazes me how natural it feels to be in a pool. It also amazes me how few laps I can do. To help build strength and take some of the monotony out of lap swimming I have started attending a water aerobics class at my gym. It is an excellent full body work out that is a lot of fun. I am now up to doing 30 minutes of laps before the class then the hour long class. It is immediately followed by a long sit in the hot tub recovering but it sure feels good. Due to my work schedule I am only able to attend one water aerobics class a week. Right now I go to the gym a minimum of two times a week but I shoot for 3 to 4 times. I will usually do 30 minutes on a treadmill, stair climber, or eliptical machine, then some leg focused weight training before hitting the pool. That is mostly to help my left knee recover from ACL replacement surgery. My left leg remains weaker to my right and I still can't run. Like another poster said the hardest part right now is just getting in the water. The water aerobics seems to make it easier. It is a scheduled class and the people get to know you and ask you where you were when you don't show. It's fun, scheduled, and people expect you so you tend to feel a bit more obligated to show. I found this site www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../work_search.pl has a bunch of work outs for all levels which helps keep it interesting as well.

I just got back in the water 3 weeks ago after being out of the sport for 18 years. It amazes me how natural it feels to be in a pool. It also amazes me how few laps I can do. To help build strength and take some of the monotony out of lap swimming I have started attending a water aerobics class at my gym. It is an excellent full body work out that is a lot of fun. I am now up to doing 30 minutes of laps before the class then the hour long class. It is immediately followed by a long sit in the hot tub recovering but it sure feels good. Due to my work schedule I am only able to attend one water aerobics class a week. Right now I go to the gym a minimum of two times a week but I shoot for 3 to 4 times. I will usually do 30 minutes on a treadmill, stair climber, or eliptical machine, then some leg focused weight training before hitting the pool. That is mostly to help my left knee recover from ACL replacement surgery. My left leg remains weaker to my right and I still can't run. Like another poster said the hardest part right now is just getting in the water. The water aerobics seems to make it easier. It is a scheduled class and the people get to know you and ask you where you were when you don't show. It's fun, scheduled, and people expect you so you tend to feel a bit more obligated to show. I found this site www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../work_search.pl has a bunch of work outs for all levels which helps keep it interesting as well.