What is a good swimming program for me to get on?
I am trying to lose weight (about 20lbs), and normally I run, but lately my shins have been hurting so I want to start swimming because I hear that it is a great aerobic activity. Any suggestions for a good hard swimming routine/program that I can get on?
Running can really hurt all your joints especially running on hard ground when overweight.
I use swimming to shed pounds, I do a little bit of a warm up at home, mimicking free style, loosening my shoulders and then I go swimming.
I swim about 3 hours after my meal.
I just get in and do about 10 laps without forcing, taking my time, then I might go a bit faster but the thing is to go at the pace that your body is comfortable on, I don’t believe in going very fast and then stopping to catch breath, it’s better to swim constantly without stopping.
After a while you won’t even realize you are doing it and it’ll come effortless (thin when you have been swimming for a month and are semi-fit) you then swim for an hour or so.
I usually swim three hours or more, when in the sea I can go on for about 15 miles, it takes about 4 hours.
But I am a bit of a long distance swimmer, if you are just messing about just do 1 hour every two days, let’s say 3 hours per week.
Then as you get fitter you’ll be able to go faster, so in those three hours you’ll cram in more lengths.
One thing you can do, towards the end of your session, before you get out of the pool, gradually go faster and faster until you burn up all your energy and need to stop, never overdoing it especially when you are not fit..