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Swimmers: What is a "good" swim?
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Anonymous
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So I just did about between 30 and 35 laps in about half an hour. Breast stroke up, freestyle down. Is that a good swim? Can I call that a "workout?" Stupid questions, I know, but I am cardio brainwashed from years of gym work and do not trust my own body to know. I KNOW I am TIRED and I was BREATHING HARD b/c I took no major breaks between laps (maybe a breath or two). Does my time suck? Am I too pokey to be considered "working out"? Sorry for the overuse of the parens....
Let me know what you think! |
Anonymous
| In a 25m pool? |
Anonymous
| Oh sorry. Yeah, in a big pool. Swimming next to the swim team kids, watching them dust me... |
Anonymous
| If your heart rate is up, yes, you are getting a good work out. That's why swimming is great if you are out of shape or overweight. Your time does not matter or how fast you swam. You are getting your work out as long as you are pushing yourself, and you are getting that toning in too. I lost a ton of weight swimming (along with doing WW) |
Anonymous
| Sounds like you are off to a great start. If you want to improve your time or are looking to lose weight, I would suggest also introducing sprint intervals into your swim workout. |
Anonymous
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OP here. Sprint intervals? That sounds hardcore. Thanks. Should I be counting laps or watching the clock (I mean, in general)?
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Anonymous
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Sprints don't have to be hardcore. Just go as hard as you can for a full lap, getting your heart rate up to about 80-90% of its maximum, rest, and repeat a couple of times.
IMO, little difference in counting laps or watching the clock if you aren't specifically training for something. Assuming you would keep up the same pace, of course. Obviously there is a difference between running for 40 minutes and walking for 40 minutes. |
Anonymous
| I'm a relatively new swimmer . . . in terms of doing it regularly for fitness. I am interested in increasing my time (for an upcoming 400 meter race). WOuld the best way to do that be sprint intervals? |
Anonymous
| I'm no expert, but whenever I do sprints-- be it running, biking, swimming-- it seems to improve my cardiovascular fitness which in turn improves my time. My personal motto is that to improve, I need to get out of my comfort zone... sameness begets sameness. |