Swimming vs. Running?

[mixtic187]

Just found this.. damn.. maybe I should dump my boyfriend and go date Michael Phelps...


"Because of certain physiological changes in hormone producing metabolic pathways during aerobic and anaerobic exercise; swimmers are the most sexually active college athletes" -TIME MAGAZINE

[toofatyet]

Years back, I would swim laps for 2 hours 3 days a week. It was probably the only time in my life when I have had a contest-ready bf% (though I wasn't a body builder).

I was taught, for that kind of extended cardio swimming not to kick the legs for propulsion, but only enough to keep the body balanced on it's center of gravity.

And just to add encouragement. If you can find somebody to show you proper form, work on your form. I paid alot of attention to form (just as we should in the weight room) and fairly quickly got to the point where it was automatic. The better aerobic shape I attained the longer I could keep my form perfect. Others at the pool either asked if I was training for big competitions or remarked that I looked like a robot, performing the crawl exactly the same for lap after lap.

Don't worry exessively about how soon you are breathing heavy. The best way to train for swimming is by swimming. And you will be surprised how quickly you can get into shape. I started by alternating the crawl with a slow backstroke. It was like interval training with walking and running. As I got in really good shape, I alternated between backstroke, crawl and breast stroke. That way it didn't get boring.

One important thing I will say is, if you are just starting out, make sure you get some competent instruction on how to properly perform the strokes and breathing properly. And do not make use of a pool without a lifeguard for extensive training. When I was getting back into shape, at least 1 hour each of my training days I was unattended. A couple of times, I got myself totally wore out and having trouble just treading water. My prior experience helped me to not panic and just float until I could get myself to where I could grab on or stand up.

I have twice had to pull people out of deep water who though able to swim, had panicked. I'm not trying to scare anyone. You take precautions to keep yourself safe when you lift. Take some time and learn the precautions you need to take if you swim. It is a great way to train.

[SNPiccolo5]

I would love to start swimming again- it was the first excercise I really did to lose weight back in 6th grade... I'm in 11th grade now and am trying to figure out what to do for cardio in the winter- as I live in MN and really don't enjoy treadmills.

I was on a "swim-team" at an athletic club, but we only had 1 meet... I remember one time I was the only one that showed up and we worked on perfecting my form on free-style and I eventually got really good form- I wonder if I could still have good form... Swimming is awesome!

-Tim

[wuhenry220]

i know this may sound weird but in the pool i do more than just the norm in swimming. i get in like and indian style sit and just use my arms to pull myself across the pool, it is very exhausting and it burns like crazy. I would think since there is force in the pool when you try to move that it is almost like resistance training. For instance, stand in the pool with water up to past your arms and put your arms out like you are going to give someone a big hug, and try to pull them together as fast as possibe, if you do that fo reps it should build muscle, i dont know just a thought
Henry

[Chris09]

Ok, I have been swimming for a while now. I am taknig breaths every stroke... Like, left arm, right arm, breathe, left arm, right arm, breathe. It is working so very well. One day, I swam more than I had ever swam before and I felt good. But after that my right shoulder is bugging me a little bit. I had surgery on it in 1998 but it has been good to go since then. But there is this sharp pain in it.. When I was doing rehab on the shoulder, my arm had the same sharp pain in it. I was wondering if swimming could be bad for your shoulders? Could bad form lead to shoulder injury? I stopped the swimming for about 3 weeks now. I wanted my shoulder to heal all the way before jumping back in. I am doing the stationary bike instead in the mornings. I was just wondering if it was an old surgery pain or if perhaps my form could be hurting me. Does anyone know if form can actually hurt you? Thanks again for the help.

Chris

[adrianb]

Hey Chris09

Glad you like swimming. Hope you continue doing this. Im sure you learned a lot from several people who have replied but I will throw in some info too. Might be repeated because it's 1am and I didn't feel like reading ALL the replies.

What you were experiencing with all the gasping and trouble breathing is common. Happened to me, happened to my buddies. We all competed in swimming and did the insane training. Over time, your body will adjust.

The BEST thing I can recommend for you is to work on your technique. Technique absolutely determines how long you last. If you want a good workout, you can have a sloppy technique and just go as long as your endurance holds out. But proper technique will push you endurance so far, you will be amazed on what you can accomplish. Several ways to learn the technique:

a) have someone teach it to you
b) observe others and follow
c) drills. DRILL DRILLS AND MORE DRILLS.

Drills are the best thing. See Sports Training, I replied to a post with some training techniques. If you want more, PM me.

You want to focus on stream-lining. Moving through the water with LEAST amount of resistance. Everything counts. The number of breaths, toe positions, how your palms are positioned etc.

Breathing: Every three strokes: Left, Right, Left *BREATH* Right, Left, Right *BREATH*, Left, etc.. Train yourself to do this amount. A drill I did was doing 200 M frontcrawl/freestyle, breathing every 5 strokes... so... left, right, left, right, left *BREATH* right, left, right, left, right *BREATH*, left..

Body Position: "Narrow as An Arrow". When I swim, I am pretty much stretching as FAR as I can. My arms are touching my ears. Body is straight and TIGHT. Legs together. What you can do is hold your hands STRAIGHT above your head, as tight as you can. Make your arms squeeze your head pretty much. Go on your tippy toes and REACH for the ceiling. This is me in a sense in the water. A simple drill: have your hands in a stream lined position (above your head, making an arrow like shape) and just kick. Lift your head up once in a while for air.

Head Position: Your forehead should be at the surface I believe.

Shoulders: Shoulders must roll for every stroke. Not 100% sure how to explain this one.

Kicking: I try not to let my feet go high out of the water, but I do small, but powerful kicks at the surface. Dont let your feet sink otherwise they will drag!! Same for the legs!! Remember stream-line = important.

I can't think of anymore right now, but I hope these help, and wish you the best of luck.

As for the whole body heat/conversation, with swimming, you KNOW you are doing a good workout when the pool goes from feeling cold to "HOT". Ive jumped into freezing cold waters to only find myself 2 hours later in the pool, feeling hot as if it were like +25-28 degrees C.

Make sure to STRETCH!!!!! STRETCH STRETCH STRETCH!! Not hoping into the pool and doing some laps. DRYLAND STRETCHING! I've experienced some "pains" you were talking about ie: shoulder, except for me is in the knee. A good idea was to take a break but a better idea next time is to stretch. I spend about 8-15 min on stretching before going in the pool.

Practise, practise, and practise. Like any other sport.

Swimming gives you the swimming body. Chics love it! :P And your BF% stays low and constant, and you can eat ANYTTHING provided that you continue swimming. I use to train 2 hours a day,5 days a week. I can eat a whole pizza to myself in one sitting, go to swimming the next day, and still be ripped.

Makes me I didn't quit for a year. Argh, tough to get back in it!

PS. Avoid 50 m pools. :P Hahha.
- Adrian

[River]

Strange thing: i swim faster with frog-style then with the crowl... probably couse i've never learned the crowl... i'm trying to learn it but i found very difficult to breath... when i turn my face for take air i haven't enought time to do it... specially after 10/15 meters (i feel tired) i notice that i can't take air... i try to do it but my mouth is full of water... terrible...

In frog-style (is so called?) i've no problems... i can swim for long time, i can swim very fast (20 mt in 14 sec)...

I'll be a good swimmer! i'm sure... i need time and practice!

[Glinka]

Well I am not really a pro but from my experience swimming burns lot of fat and u don't get as tired or bored. lol It also tones u up pretty good. So I preffer swimming... my two cents.