Fitness needs work

[Maniac]

Hi All.
Thanks for looking.

I am fit when it comes to gym workouts; I run, cross-train, cycle and can do so for continued lengths of time. I know that gym fitness does not just transfer to the pool but are there any types of exercise I can do in the gym to help me?
Or do I just have to build up my pool fitness slowly?
I'm not a very good swimmer but have taught myself the crawl and have improved in speed but can not do many lengths before I die.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks
Amanda x

[Pete]

Swimming fitness only comes from being in the water. The strange thing is that swimming fitness transfers to other sports. You obviously build up strength out of the pool with gym work etc. but being fit in the water only comes from swimming.

[Gina]

I find swimming is mainly upper body and that running and cycling aren't really contributing to swimming specifically, but to my overall fitness. It would be helpful to you to do medium intensity (about half of your max rep for atleast 30 seconds) weight work on your upper body, working triceps, shoulders and upper back.

[GettingFaster]

When our wrinklies have done gym work we've done core stability stuff - swiss ball giggling and so on.

[Linny]

Maniac it may be your breathing rather than your "pool fitness" that is causing you to "die".
You say that you are not a very good swimmer so perhaps it would be a good idea to go right back to basics. If so PM me and I will be happy to help you with some practical progressive practices.

[Martin-Y]

When our wrinklies have done gym work we've done core stability stuff - swiss ball giggling and so on.

GF Swiss ball giggling, is that falling into hysterics trying to balance on the ball?

[Leprechaun]

GF Swiss ball giggling, is that falling into hysterics trying to balance on the ball?

nah mate - thats far too elementary and we are past that level of competence. Exercises to look out for include:

a) GF's flying, two-footed/two-kneed leap on to aforementioned ball. On a good day she wont be catapulted into the car park

b) how to catch a medicine (smallish one) ball without using your arms while balancing on a fit ball ....aka lap-catching...it will bring tears to most (male) eyes. GF will do the throwing.

As they say on all good TV programmes kids, please dont go trying this at home..

[GettingFaster]

On a bad day it's not the car park, more like the athletics track on the other side of the car park! Martin, you're in the vicinity, do drop over some time. Our wonderful Masters coach is running some morning sessions throughout the summer, I'm sure he'd be more than happy to welcome another wrinkly to the fun and games. PM Leprechaun who'll give you the low-down on times. I have yet to turn up (there's always tomorrow) so I'm a little wobbly on what time they start.

[Leprechaun]

GF Swiss ball giggling, is that falling into hysterics trying to balance on the ball?

Just to add the serious points that should have gone with the last posting...

Running doesnt seem to do (me) any good in terms of building endurance into legs .Being a breaststroker with at least one incipient dodgy knee means I would go for anything other than big kms of breast legs. I suspect that circuit training (step ups etc) at a reasonable intensity is good and has produced some results.

Boxing (using the free-standing thing that bounces back rather than other swimmers!) is surprisingly good and if you are shown how to do it sensibly as opposed to a brawl, you can work at a high intensity for say in bursts of a minute and feel that you really have achieved something too.

Rowing machines are not bad either but you have to work at not dropping the elbows. I have to say that the real thing is not only much more fun but probably makes you put even more effort in.

I think someone else has already made the point earller but the rest of the fitness machines are better used on high repetitions rather than heavy weights.

If someone has any suggestions for building up muscles for a more explosive start then I for one would welcome them!

[Maniac]

Thanks everyone.
I have just got back from the gym and did some upper body weights before going for my swim.
I actually did more lengths today so I must be getting there slowly.

Thanks for all the advice.
Linny I will message you, thanks. :music: