Swimming for cardio..

[E36Guy]

So I have a pool at my apartment complex and would like to make it a habit of using it for exercise. It's not a complete straight olympic style pool, but I am able to swim back and forth from end to end in a straight line (technically diagonal in the pool).

Is there any information out there about how to get the best workout using swimming? I used to run on the beach everyday, but to be honest, I am more of a water guy.. I would rather be in the water and get a nice workout. Plus I think I'm working more of my traget muscles swimming than I do running, right?

Thanks.
:bdance

[Sportsmedjosh]

There are pros and cons for this. Some of the pros might be that their is less stress put onto your joints since it is less weight bearing. Some of the cons would be that you will need to work if i remember off the top of my head 4 times harder to get the same workout you would by running. I'll have to look it up to be exact.

If your doing it for surfing then by all means it would be beneficial but if your goal is to improve your running it wouldn't be the best method for improving it. Their is some carry over but not much.

[E36Guy]

Yeah, Im not concerned with running any better.. I actually was only running to get my legs stretched out more. (Sittin at a computer all day long doesn't stretch my muscles too well). Whenever I get out in the waves (surf or bodyboard) I would cramp up (even with stretching before entering).

So better water training is actually more of what I want. :)

[Michelley]

swimming is definitely a great way to get a cardio workout! I did swim team all 4 years of high school and I think the best way to get a workout is to set a specific interval for your lap swimming. For 100 yds, you might want to start out with 1:30-1:45 or a little slower. Do that for about one week at least 3 times a week and then gradually decrease the amount of time by 5 seconds for each 100 yds every week after that. Make sure you don't stop and take breaks though, you got to get your heart rate up and running. Do like 6 sets of 5 100s to start off maybe?

[E36Guy]

Oh sweet.. thanks for the tips. :)

[S54MCoupe]

Originally Posted by E36Guy

Yeah, Im not concerned with running any better.. I actually was only running to get my legs stretched out more. (Sittin at a computer all day long doesn't stretch my muscles too well). Whenever I get out in the waves (surf or bodyboard) I would cramp up (even with stretching before entering).

So better water training is actually more of what I want. :)

If you live near the beach, skip the pool and do open water swims. How big of surf are you comfortable in?

[E36Guy]

Originally Posted by S54MCoupe

If you live near the beach, skip the pool and do open water swims. How big of surf are you comfortable in?

Whoops, never saw this post.

I'm not too comfy with big surf yet.. I've been in 4-6ft's and that was on bodyboards. So much fun. I could probably handle that on a surboard too, but I would be scared on a lot of drops. Im still trying to get used to quick drops. I learned to surf on Central coast waves that seem to break slower (Pismo Beach). Down here it seems to be a quicker break, and I have trouble standing up quick enough before it tips me over and I nosedive.

As for strictly swimming in waves (boardless), I wouldn't want any crazy big waves. I rarely open water swim. If I'm at the beach, it's either just for a short jog, or to take a board into waves. I haven't had much just swimming ocean fun in a long time.

[cabezon]

I just fount the TYR website. they have the swimming equipment like paddles and floats to make the workout better.

watchout, theres a flash video with sound on the main page.

[E36Guy]

wow.. these little paddle things from that site are kind of cool. Help you get a better workout while also teaching you proper paddle form..

[S54MCoupe]

Originally Posted by E36Guy

Whoops, never saw this post.

I'm not too comfy with big surf yet.. I've been in 4-6ft's and that was on bodyboards. So much fun. I could probably handle that on a surboard too, but I would be scared on a lot of drops. Im still trying to get used to quick drops. I learned to surf on Central coast waves that seem to break slower (Pismo Beach). Down here it seems to be a quicker break, and I have trouble standing up quick enough before it tips me over and I nosedive.

As for strictly swimming in waves (boardless), I wouldn't want any crazy big waves. I rarely open water swim. If I'm at the beach, it's either just for a short jog, or to take a board into waves. I haven't had much just swimming ocean fun in a long time.

The biggest I've ever surfed in was solid double-overhead at El Porto. If I remember right, it was Dec. 10th 2005. I got in the water at 7:00am and didn't get out until 3:00pm. A few days later we went out at the cliffs at HB where the surf was a few feet overhead and I got pretty worked and came close to blacking out in the water. Since then, I haven't been nearly as confident in big surf. I haven't been surfing in a long time, living so far inland blows.

[E36Guy]

Originally Posted by S54MCoupe

The biggest I've ever surfed in was solid double-overhead at El Porto. If I remember right, it was Dec. 10th 2005. I got in the water at 7:00am and didn't get out until 3:00pm. A few days later we went out at the cliffs at HB where the surf was a few feet overhead and I got pretty worked and came close to blacking out in the water. Since then, I haven't been nearly as confident in big surf. I haven't been surfing in a long time, living so far inland blows.

Damn.. that's crazy. Big surf is so exciting but I get so freaked out. I miss a lot of good waves when they get decent sized just because I start paddling and then Im lookin down the face as its building...

Yeah, I finally moved out closer to the beach and I was actually getting out like 2-4 times a week for a couple months.. then work and school got VERY busy and I have been slacking. However, I just sent an email off to the people I work for this morning suggesting that I will be coming into work at 9am rather than 7am on Wed and Fri of every week.. I'll use those days and the weekends for some morning sessions. I need to get surfing more often.

[fodive]

I was just going to post something up about this. Totally new to formal swimming, with my only experience being much like the OP, paddling in and out.

I can do a decent breaststroke but my freestyle form is shit...what do you swimmers recommend for a starting workout, what is a preffered style to maximize cardio/abdominal workouts?

I'm thinking of putting it in 3 days a week instead of running...on top of Judo, some free weights, and basketball/intermurals...