I got back into swimming a couple of years ago and I am a terrible swimmer. Here are some things I thought were helpful. Use fins, they will help you swim for longer distances and times. You can also use a pull buoy to balance out and work on arms. I swam one lap freestyle one lap breast stroke because I was awful at freestyle. Wear the right gear. One piece swimsuit with no skirt that fits you, swim cap, goggles, ear plugs. Ear plugs made a huge difference for me. I also swam laps and water walked laps in the very beginning before I discovered fins. Now I can swim freestyle laps for 45 minutes pretty well.

Get a paddle board and swim laps until you lose your breath (at first it may only be one lap at a time) and then get the paddle board and do laps just kicking and holding the paddle board until you catch your breath. Then go back to swimming laps. Alternate and when you feel up to it, increase the number of swimming laps. As you regain your stamina, you'll need less and less time with the paddle board until you can get to the point of just doing the swimming laps.

np - i just read the zero to one mile swimming website with interest - however, the author has you swim close to 30 laps your first time in the pool - that's not really starting at "zero" as far as i'm concerned!

Thanks everyone. This is helpful!

There is a really good online training plan that goes zero to a mile (1650 meters). I think if you google "zero to a mile swimming" you will find it. I have had success using that plan to get back into swimming.

I used to coach swimming in h.s. and college and still coach people training for triathalons (weird that runners and bikers often can't swim). I would just try adding a lap or two each time you go out. It will get really easy after awhile. It's never easy at first but it will be if you stick with it. Good luck and have fun.

The key to swimming is interval training. Short, fast intervals are your friends and will increase your stamina and speed.

If you want to train in a coherent way, Speedo.com has workouts and training plans. You can also try a book called "Swimming for Total Fitness."

I'm out of shape. I get out of breath too easily when trying to swim laps. I feel worn out after 10 minutes. It's terrible! I used to be able to swim laps for an hour.

Am I supposed to swim as long as possible, even if most if it is slow? Is it better to swim for 20 minutes with fast and slow intervals?