want to start swimming!! advice?!

I always wanted to swim laps but I've never had the endurance or strength. Now that I'm able to run almost effortlessly..well atleast without running out of breath.. I really want to try it. Does anyone here swim laps? How did you start and gain the strength and endurance needed to do so?

Total Immersion would be a good place to start, check to see if your local library has it.

Just start... do as many laps as you can comfortably in one session, and next time do one more, and so on until you get up to the number you'd like to do regularly. Like any activity, swimming laps gets easier with regular practice. I was just learning to do it over the summer and I started with 15 minutes than I had to take a rest because I was panting like a bellows, but after three months I could swim for 45 minutes straight.

I tend to alternate between the breast-stroke and the crawl.  The breast-stroke requires less cardio endurance, and after my pregnancy, that's how I got back into it.

I just started swimming in an effort to get reaquinted (haven't swam for probably 10 or so years) before I start my triathlon training.  This is what I do - one pool length and back of each of the following:  breast stroke, side stroke on the left, front stroke, side stroke on the right, back stroke, then I tread water for 5 minutes, and repeat three times.  That takes me about 30 minutes.  I've read that you shouldn't swim laps because the water current makes it easier, so that's why I swim pool lengths intead.  I have no idea if this is a good thing to do or not, but it's helping me get back into it.  I will probably do some more formal training in a few months.

I have been swimming a few times a week for six months. When I started, one or two lengths at a time was difficult, now I can swim a mile comfortably. I think you just need to start swimming, each time you go it'll be a little easier. Have a few sessions with an instructor after a few weeks to make sure you're doing the stroke and breathing correctly, which will make a huge difference to the amount of effort it takes.

Original Post by rysi:

I have been swimming a few times a week for six months. When I started, one or two lengths at a time was difficult, now I can swim a mile comfortably. I think you just need to start swimming, each time you go it'll be a little easier. Have a few sessions with an instructor after a few weeks to make sure you're doing the stroke and breathing correctly, which will make a huge difference to the amount of effort it takes.

I also recommend you get a coach or an instructor.  I swim three times a week with a masters team, and I need the help to make sure I'm doing the stroke correctly.  Just like running, you can injure yourself pretty easily if you're repeating the same bad form over and over.  Also, if you can find a masters team or something similar (check out USMS to find one near you), you can do group workouts that are so much more interesting than just back and forth freestyle.  There's lots of suggested workouts online, although sometimes they can be difficult to understand when you're new.

But best of luck, and I hope you find that you love swimming as much as I do!

Look at a local junior college or YMCA and see if they have any swimming classes. You may even be able to get some credits, too?