Swimming as a Perfect Workout

Created by alan35cunningham on Sunday, December 27, 2009

Swimming for Fitness
Swimming is an excellent way to stay in shape for those that don't like going to the gym and running on a treadmill or sweating their way through a step climbing routine. Swimming turns on all of the main muscle groups in the body, and the power of the workout relies on the individual swimmer. Since swimming is performed alone, it can be less intimidating that taking up a team sport, seeing as the swimmer is only racing against their personal best times.
Before hitting the pool, the swimmer must be suitably equipped with a competitive-style swimming costume, a waterproof watch, a tightly-fitting swim cap, and some of the best rated swim goggles or barracuda swimming goggles that don't pinch the face too much, yet aren't so loose that they allow water to seep in through the sides. Many swimmers like to chart their progress in a training diary where they can log their times in order that they can adjust their swimming exercise programs accordingly .
Writing the Routines
to gain maximum benefit from swimming for fitness, the swimmer will have to develop a series of swimming workouts that may evolve as the swimmer advances with their craft. Generally, swimming exercise programs should consist of a short warm-up to get the muscles lubricated, a series of drills to build technique, kicking to buttress the legs, pulling to strengthen the arms, a main set for stroke development and practice, and a cool down to help the muscles readjust after the workout.
Most swimming work-outs last between seventy five and 90 mins, though they can be amended for shorter practice sessions. When reducing the length of swimming work-outs always change the parts that are reduced or cut out totally. Never omit either the warm-up or cool down sections of the workout, as that will cause injury.
It is critically crucial to rest between sets of strokes, since the most rest a swimmer gets, the quicker they swim. When warming up and throughout the first sets of the workout, focus on using perfect technique as opposed to speed. If the mind begins to wander too much during swimming workouts, switch things up to steer clear of being caught in a groove.
Sample Swimming Workouts
here are some sample swimming exercise programs, but remember these are only a guide for developing a customised swimming program suited to the individual wants of the swimmer.
Workout 1
Warm-Up : 5 sets of a hundred meters of stroke of choice , rest for twenty seconds between sets.
Kick Set : five sets of fifty meters with board performing kick of choice , rest for 20 seconds between sets.
Pull Set : 10 sets of fifty meter runs with a leg float, rest for twenty seconds between sets.
Kick Set : 10 sets of 50 meter sprints wearing swim fins, rest for 20 seconds between sets.
Cool Down : 5 sets of 100 meters of stroke of preference no resting between sets.
Workout 2
Warm-Up : four sets of 100 meters, one each of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke or butterfly, resting for 30 seconds between each set.
Pre-Set : 4 sets of one hundred meters, one each of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke or butterfly targeting proper technique, resting for half a minute between each set.
Main set : four hundred meters freestyle, 200 meters backstroke, 200 meters breaststroke, 2 hundred meters sidestroke or butterfly, resting for 30-60 seconds between each stroke.
Cool Down : 4 sets of 50 meters, one each of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, sidestroke or butterfly, swimming slowly, resting for thirty seconds between each set.

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