Start to swim

[cazza123]

Well, i'm thinking i might start swimming again to gain muscle and lose fat. Does anyone have any tips or techniques for me to start off good?!?!?!?! Thank youu

[TigerBoy]

This site has some good programs.

http://www.swimming.org/swimfit/

It includes swimming programs for what you want, and also technique videos and gym and stretching work.

Remember that DIET is the easiest way to control your weight. It would take about 20 mins of decent exercise (swimming or jogging) to burn off a single doughnut (240 cals per doughnut, probably 20 mins moderate breaststroke or about 2 miles of running from memory).

Exercise will stimulate your metabolism and you'll tighten up and improve your body shape, so combining diet with exercise can give greater benefit for weight loss than the 'on paper' calories your burn.

[thesurferdude]

youtube viedoes are amazing if theres anything you want to do

[Apollo.]

I can imagine YouTube will be able to help it does with most other sports there will also be a good amount of websites giving advice on stuff like this. I'm pretty sure the best place to ask will be your local pool. I'm wanting to start swimming but I'm quite self conscious in a pool I feel I look like a bit of a 'spaz' (sorry if that offends anyone) splashing about and creating more noise than forward motion, I might not be I just feel like I am

[TigerBoy]

I'm pretty sure the best place to ask will be your local pool. I'm wanting to start swimming but I'm quite self conscious in a pool

Certainly worth an ask at your local pool in your case as they will usually provide lessons to all ages which might be what you prefer, but of course anything you sign up for like that they'll usually charge.

For the OP the swimfit link I posted above is part of a national scheme (endorsed by British Swimming etc) that is integrated into most local pools in the UK, so you'll probably see copies of their exercise programs posted around. All free to access their stuff as its heavily sponsored.

[Apollo.]

Certainly worth an ask at your local pool in your case as they will usually provide lessons to all ages which might be what you prefer, but of course anything you sign up for like that they'll usually charge.

For the OP the swimfit link I posted above is part of a national scheme (endorsed by British Swimming etc) that is integrated into most local pools in the UK, so you'll probably see copies of their exercise programs posted around. All free to access their stuff as its heavily sponsored.

I can swim pretty well I think, I just feel I make quite a scene doing it (I seem to be looked at quite a bit in pools I think I splash about to much!) it might just be all in my head but I just feel uncomfortable, doesn't help I'm friends with a good few of the life guards so I just get embarrassed everytime I swim, the life guards are the guys I go to the gym with and cardio is somewhat of a taboo with the guys I train with for some reason (I still do it but just keep it quiet!) I would really enjoy swimming if I could look a bit more graceful doing it

[TigerBoy]

I can swim pretty well I think, I just feel I make quite a scene doing it (I seem to be looked at quite a bit in pools I think I splash about to much!) it might just be all in my head but I just feel uncomfortable, doesn't help I'm friends with a good few of the life guards so I just get embarrassed everytime I swim, the life guards are the guys I go to the gym with and cardio is somewhat of a taboo with the guys I train with for some reason (I still do it but just keep it quiet!) I would really enjoy swimming if I could look a bit more graceful doing it

Well the splashing can be a sign of inefficient technique (i.e. lost thrust). Having a lesson can be just to tune up your technique, it's not just for beginners (hope I didn't offend).

For example if your legs are splashing on freestyle you need to angle them down slightly in the water, otherwise you are losing a lot of your thrust in 'cavitation'. For splashing arms, turn your wrist so your thumb goes in first and your flat hand cuts the water like a knife, the rest of your arm following.

One tip is to slow right down and make a game out of "stealth swimming" - get your technique right at a slower speed by trying to swim silently and smoothly, and when you speed up again you'll be going faster.

[Apollo.]

Well the splashing can be a sign of inefficient technique (i.e. lost thrust). Having a lesson can be just to tune up your technique, it's not just for beginners (hope I didn't offend).

No offence taken at all, sorry if I came across wrong. I'm happy getting advice, if I need a few swimming lessons that's what I'll do:)

[thesurferdude]

Nick i totoaly understand being embarrased by being so much of a begininer you just have to realize that anyone who is good once was at your level theres no shame in trying thats how you get better try new things have fun!

[thesurferdude]

Well the splashing can be a sign of inefficient technique (i.e. lost thrust). Having a lesson can be just to tune up your technique, it's not just for beginners (hope I didn't offend).

For example if your legs are splashing on freestyle you need to angle them down slightly in the water, otherwise you are losing a lot of your thrust in 'cavitation'. For splashing arms, turn your wrist so your thumb goes in first and your flat hand cuts the water like a knife, the rest of your arm following.

One tip is to slow right down and make a game out of "stealth swimming" - get your technique right at a slower speed by trying to swim silently and smoothly, and when you speed up again you'll be going faster.

Olly are you a really good swimmer?

[TigerBoy]

Olly are you a really good swimmer?

Well I'm pretty good technically but I'm not tall / big enough to compete well these days so I tend to do well in breaststroke, but find it hard to place in freestyle for eg. I keep going for fun and fitness though.

[Apollo.]

Well I'm pretty good technically but I'm not tall / big enough to compete well these days so I tend to do well in breaststroke, but find it hard to place in freestyle for eg. I keep going for fun and fitness though.

You have to be tall to swim? I'm screwed if that's the case I'm like 5'8"-5'9" I think I'll give up on the swimming thing:P

[TigerBoy]

You have to be tall to swim? I'm screwed if that's the case I'm like 5'8"-5'9" I think I'll give up on the swimming thing:P

Nah it only really matters if you are competing in certain strokes at a decent level. If you're just getting into it now the limiting thing will be your technique and skill which you can improve with practice, and even then you'd need to practice several times a week if you want to compete. Depends what your goals are for doing it really.

[Apollo.]

Nah it only really matters if you are competing in certain strokes at a decent level. If you're just getting into it now the limiting thing will be your technique and skill which you can improve with practice, and even then you'd need to practice several times a week if you want to compete. Depends what your goals are for doing it really.

Ah ok, I'd only be doing it for fitness really anyway and I'm considering joining the Royal Navy so I imagine being a good swimmer would be a bonus:). I'll still probably give it a go, thanks!

[thesurferdude]

Well I'm pretty good technically but I'm not tall / big enough to compete well these days so I tend to do well in breaststroke, but find it hard to place in freestyle for eg. I keep going for fun and fitness though.

I'm trying to improve my flutter kick for freestyle. Any advice? I get like no motion from my kick.

[TigerBoy]

I'm trying to improve my flutter kick for freestyle. Any advice? I get like no motion from my kick.

Best thing you can do is watch vids of good technique to be honest. The site above has training vids that talk you through the key points.

The main thing is for speed you don't want to be bending your legs too much, a lot of the action comes from your glutes and upper thighs. You need to practice to build those muscles (and also to train your brain and nervous system to activate them in that way). Lightly clenching your cheeks as you kick helps use the right muscles :P

Practicing with a float held in front of you is good because then you can concentrate on thinking about your legs.

The main thrust is the top of your foot as you kick down, but you should be trying to engage it as you bring it up so some thrust from the sole of your foot too.

Hope that helps :)

[thesurferdude]

Best thing you can do is watch vids of good technique to be honest. The site above has training vids that talk you through the key points.

The main thing is for speed you don't want to be bending your legs too much, a lot of the action comes from your glutes and upper thighs. You need to practice to build those muscles (and also to train your brain and nervous system to activate them in that way). Lightly clenching your cheeks as you kick helps use the right muscles :P

Practicing with a float held in front of you is good because then you can concentrate on thinking about your legs.

The main thrust is the top of your foot as you kick down, but you should be trying to engage it as you bring it up so some thrust from the sole of your foot too.

Hope that helps :)
Thanks! I didn't know most of the thrust came from your foot going down, that was very helpful. I will watch more videos for sure. Thinking about maybe even watching video of myself so I can see what I look like in the water. I've tried swimming with a float in front, unless I'm wearing fins i go nowhere! I also get tired super fast. I'm hoping i just build endurance with time. Thank's for the advice! feel free to post more. ill let u kno if i get better.