Swimming - Page 2

rivrrat · 03-31-08, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WI Crippler

Well if I keep my head down, how am I supposed to breathe? I don't keep my head above the water, but I usually turn it side to side as I switch arms, so I can breathe.

I kicked my legs, I don't know much outside of that. I was unaware there was a certain way to kick them.

Emphasize the downkick for more propulsion.

Also, I was always told to *try* and limit the splashing with kicks because the more we're kicking on the surface, the less efficient our kicks are. You can't eliminate it, but your legs/feet shouldn't really be coming out of the water, or at least they shouldn't be coming up any further than just breaking the surface.

As for your head... turning to the side to breathe isn't the same as lifting it up to see in front of you. As long as you keep the same neck alignment, your hips shouldn't drop and slow you down.

roguenuke · 03-31-08, 06:52 PM

Some tips from being on the high school swim team:
*keep your forehead about even with the surface of the water-this will conserve energy when you take your breaths
*find a good breathing pattern for you and stick with it-I found every third stroke is my optimum, but it will depend on your own lung capacity
*minimizing your splashing is good advice
*keep your fingers close together and slightly cup your hands

Hope these help.

talloulou · 03-31-08, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WI Crippler

I have recently incorporated swimming into my workout routine. And I have come to the realization that I completely suck at it.

Now don't get me wrong, I can swim. And I can swim for a long time. But apparently I cannot swim very fast. Case in point, the other night I get into the pool, into one of the lap lanes. In the lane next to me, is a little fat girl, maybe 12-14 years old. She took off swimming and I thought, well she is going at a good pace, I'll try to outpace her. I never was able to catch up to her. In fact, I only kept falling further behind. Now I am not a cut athlete, but I am a decently big guy with a good amount of muscle mass and strength. Why in the hell can I not keep up with some little chubby girl in the swimming pool? Is there a secret to swimming? Are there drills I should do?

There are certain inherent traits that will make you a better swimmer. Men tend to not be able to bend their feet as far as women. I can stretch my legs out on the floor and then bend my foot to the point where my foot and toes are almost flat against the floor. My husband can barely get his feet beyond a right angle position. A highly flexible ankle makes for a more productive kick. Most kids tend to have highly flexible angles.

Also fat people are straight up more buoyant. The less body fat you have the harder you have to work to stay afloat.

Still though, a 12 year old girl should not be out swimming a marine.

Felicity · 03-31-08, 07:35 PM

Body position (head, shoulders, arm entry, arch of lower back, hips), angle of the hand in the water (called sculling), kicking from the hips and not the knees, and that other stuff about flexible ankles and breathing...If your head is in the right position, breathe to the side right by your arm pit (on one side, just as your elbow is in the /\ position--just before you reach out in front of you take a quick suck of air) there should be a little pocket of air there from the wake you create. Also, keep your body straight and tight--wiggling from side to side as you swim works against you--the only loose thing should be the ankles.

niftydrifty · 03-31-08, 07:40 PM

maybe that little girl had just gotten tazed? just kidding.

i'm with you crippler. my 6 yr old son can swim faster than me.

WI Crippler · 03-31-08, 10:41 PM

Well I was swimming again tonight, and I guess there was a swim instructor there giving a private lesson, so I asked her if she could examine me for a couple of laps and give me some quick pointers. She said there were some things I should fix, but overall I didn't have a bad stroke for someone with no lessons ever. She said my biggest problem was that I swim too hard, and blow out alot of air before I take in my next breath. Her exact words were, "Don't be so angry at the water. You aren't supposed to try and beat it up". I'll probably be looking to take a few lessons, just to maximize the effectiveness of using swimming as a part of my workout routine. I don't want a swimmers body, I just want something to vary my cardiovascular workout from running with, which can get boring at times.

aps · 04-01-08, 06:27 AM

Not to dismiss your concerns, but who cares how fast you swim as long as you're exercising, burning calories, and building strength/muscles? I used to swim, and I was SLOW, but I developed beautiful arm, shoulder, leg, and butt muscles from that form of exercise. As long as you're able to do the laps comfortably, I would put speed on a low priority. JMO

WI Crippler · 04-01-08, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aps

Not to dismiss your concerns, but who cares how fast you swim as long as you're exercising, burning calories, and building strength/muscles? I used to swim, and I was SLOW, but I developed beautiful arm, shoulder, leg, and butt muscles from that form of exercise. As long as you're able to do the laps comfortably, I would put speed on a low priority. JMO

Men don't operate that way.

I mean you might as well say "Who cares if you can't catch the football, at least you are running" "Who cares if you suck at basketball, at least you are getting excersise" "Who cares if you can't hit the baseball, at least you are getting fresh air".

I don't operate with the idea that its just good that I am doing something. I want to do what I am doing, well. I don't have illusions, I don't push myself to try and compete on a professional level, but I at least want to be able to do the things I do, better than most people, particularly little fat kids.

aps · 04-01-08, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WI Crippler

Men don't operate that way.

I mean you might as well say "Who cares if you can't catch the football, at least you are running" "Who cares if you suck at basketball, at least you are getting excersise" "Who cares if you can't hit the baseball, at least you are getting fresh air".

I don't operate with the idea that its just good that I am doing something. I want to do what I am doing, well. I don't have illusions, I don't push myself to try and compete on a professional level, but I at least want to be able to do the things I do, better than most people, particularly little fat kids.

You're hilarious! And I understand.

GySgt · 04-02-08, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelzie

I smoked Gunny on the one swim race we had (strange that we've never had another).

I do not recall this event at all. Nobody smokes me at anything except for when it's a contest of expressing icky feelings and stuff. I think you are a liar. In fact, meet me in the bath tub tonight and we'll just see who get's smoked.

Three laps. Winner take all. Oh, yeah. It's on.