Swimmers come in!

I was on the swim team in high school (about 10 years ago) but haven't really done much swimming since then. I've been exercising religiously for the last three months, and now I'd like to start work some swimming into the mix. Best case scenario, I want it to be my main cardio since it's the only one I really love. Until now, I've simply been swimming laps (I'd forgotten what a good--hard--workout it is!), but I'd really like to be more organized about it. I just jump in and swim without paying attention to time, speed, etc.

Are there any good websites you can recommend with swimming training suggestions?

I took a swimming class last semester, just to get my skills perfected and on days when we were supposed to have "fun" he would put us through some drills, one was called The Monster and it was insane :

Basically you swim 6 laps, then get out do 10 push ups, 10 sit ups, repeat. And we would usually have to do it about 5 times. It was an intense workout. We would be going up one lane down another, I haven't done it since that class ended, but I'm sure you can do it just as well in one lane.

Other than that I don't really know much about training. I too just swim laps. I would like some information as well, I feel like I swim harder if I'm 'training' or getting pushed.

I used to swim, middle school - high school and college.  However, its also been about seven years since i've done a real deal work out.

 I'd love to get back in the pool! 

I bet we could put together a work out; how much time in the pool did you want to spend and what did you want to work on?

~savvy

Wellllll the few times I've gone, I've been in the pool for 30-40 minutes. I'd like to keep it around there, but definitely no more than an hour. Maybe 2-3 times a week? I think I take too many breaks as well. It's such a big change from the elliptical, which is what I'd been doing for my cardio workouts. I guess I just wanted a more regimented routine than "get in the pool, swim laps at whatever pace". Like if I push myself with time, intervals, etc I'd get more out of it.

Check out a masters swimming program in your area--they have a national website I think--I used to swim for a master's team in my area and loved it because you have a coach, but competing locally or nationally is up to you.  It's a great organization, and if I can find the website, I'll post it for you.

Found it--

http://www.usms.org/

You should be able to find a group locally through them.

I'd start with a warm up; depending on your fitness level, maybe start with a 300 yard freestyle warm up. 

Then do a 200 kick  followed by a 200 pull.

8x50 (free) with a 10 0r 15 second rest in between.

10x100 (free) with a 10 or 15 second rest in between. 

4x50 (choose a stroke) with 5 or 10 second rest in between

1x400 (free)

200 cruisen cool down. 

- here is something to start with, feel free to modify.

~savvy

Thanks, guys. I'll definitely check out the website. Savvy, your suggested workout looks great and I will give it a try (maybe after another chill get-back-into-it day because man is it killin' me). It's jogging my memory from back in the HS days as to what I should be doing.

i love swimming!!  it's been a long time since i've swam laps though.  i was in swim team from age 6 to age 21.  i kept swimming for a few more years (on my own) after that.  i can't wait to fit into my speedo again so that i can go swim laps again ... i'm too embarrassed to go as it is and i don't want to buy a bigger suit.  hopefully once it gets warm out again my swimsuit will look better and i'll go!

when i swam on my own, i did a lot of workouts like savvy suggested with just timed breaks.  it was too hard to figure out times and stuff without a coach.  i incorporated a lot of breastroke in because i have a life-long inner-thigh pooch problem and i think the breakstroke kick really works it.

i really suck at butterfly and i don't really like it, but i'll throw in a lap or two 'cause it's a really good whole body workout and really tones the shoulders.

yeah, swimmers!! :)