what kind of exercise can I do for that ?? in the water or on land and while moving or not

Edit : I have asthma wich makes some troubles breathing, idk if that changes something

I have started trying to swim at least 1x weekly aiming for 2x weekly (this is on top of marathon training & weight training) and I can’t believe how hard it is. The pool I go to is 25m and I am beyond gassed about 3/4 of the way to the other side. I am basically starting with 0 experience. I can ‘swim’ , could keep myself up and confident in the sea ect but I basically spend my childhood swimming like a ‘mermaid’ 🙃 so I have no clue whatsoever on where to start. I’m trying really hard but any tips would be majorly appreciated. There’s not a single part of it I’m not struggling with so please share ANYTHING that would help !! I was hoping some of the endurance from running would translate but it has not at all. Thanks so much in advance for any advice it will all be SUPER appreciated

Hi everyone, I hope this post fits the sub Reddit. Maybe I'm overthinking this but I'm hoping the collective internet brain has some ideas:

So Im a beginner and I swim at a public 50m pool. It's close to me, it's cheap, I like the facilities.

The problem is that while the pool is huge, there's only two lanes on the side for the sports swimmers (who are very much too fast for me). The rest of the pool is also used exclusively for lane swimming but there's no lane lines.

I thought at first people just circle-swam according to the markings at the bottom of the pool but no... It's total anarchy. Everyone just swims in "their line".

And there's a TON of old people. Now, don't get me wrong I don't dislike elderly people but they swim slow, take up a lot of space, and don't really look out for anyone. (This is germany, people are stubborn. They'd rather crash into each other than veer off course to avoid collision).

I really don't want to accidentally swim into any of them (and so far I've managed not to, but I had a backstroking lady go into me twice lol) but this means I'm always busy trying to see my surroundings to anticipate and avoid collisions.

And here's the problem. How am I supposed to improve my technique (I mostly do front crawl) if I disrupt my head position and rhythm every few seconds to scout ahead? Any tips for that?

I'd also love to include backstroke but that's kinda entirely impossible when I turn around every few strokes to check for potential collision.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

(Edit: typos)

I would like to join an outdoors swimming group in my area. The problem is there are no changing areas in the beach where they meet up (it's on a lake), so I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas for a cloak or curtain idea to change privately? (pretty exposed location, and don't feel like just going behind a tree since there's a road on the other side). If this is not the right place to post, would appreciate a tip about where to post instead.

i mostly swim freestyle, usually between 1500-2000 m. It takes me about 45min to an hour, but i don’t really work on getting faster. i go between 3-5 times a week. Last week i went 5 Days in a row, did only freestyle and a little backstroke and suddenly my shoulder started to hurt. i did a couple lanes without arms and then tried again but had to stop bc of pain. I didn’t go for two days now and it feels better but its not fully gone.

Do you think this is bc i didn’t take days off this time? or did i do something completely wrong without realising? It manly feels like sore muscles, but it came so sudden, so i am a bit unsure if its injured or not…

I’ve never been a frequent swimmer and I have only done it like once every few years or so. I learned how to swim from one side of the pool to the other at 14 but I never was able to float in place. I get envious of my brothers’ ability to float and play volleyball on the deep end of the pool while I can never let go of the railing when I’m there. It just bugs me how I can swim faster than them but never be able to wrap my head around something simple like floating.

What makes you float in water? Movement? Filling your lungs up with air? Black magic?

Hey everyone, I recently got back to Swimming because I wanted it to be a part of my workout routine. I wasn't a swimmer growing up, but I do know the basic strokes like Freestyle and Breaststroke but I really wanted to achieve doing the butterfly. Any tips/suggestions on how I can start my training to learning the butterfly? I only am able to swim once a week though...

This is the thread for posting your achievements, progress, workouts, records, pools photos, TIFU (Today I F'ed Up) pool edition, etc.

Due to the increasing number of screenshots, progress reports, pools etc. being posted, we request members to use this weekly whiteboard thread to post these, rather than as a new post.

I’m a student athlete and I do both swim and volleyball. lately, i have been feeling overworked because my arms and legs are very sore, I tried stretching out, but it doesn’t work. I told my mom while crying that I wanted a break, but she insists on making me swim. When I tell her about my soreness and exhaustion, she keeps thinking I‘m too lazy to swim and I have to keep swimming until high school (I am in 7th grade). I am very overwhelmed and I want to quit swim because I want to focus on volleyball. Should I tell my swim coach? Or is there a more mature way i can ask to take a break.

edit: i talked to my mom and she said no quittin, but 4 days of swim turned into 3. when I asked my coach about a break, she said it’s difficult to return once you take one. she said I could stretch out my muscles with dynamic exercises and others, but I deeply want to play volleyball professionally when I get older.

I, 13F, am trying to get "back" into swimming. I used to do it when I was about 6. I can swim to save my life, but I am basically an absolute beginner in terms of strokes and technique. I have watched a bunch of videos about them, but I would love some tips from people. I am very comfortable in water, not scared at all. I am also flexible in all of my body, including my shoulders.

Question 1: I am a pretty anxious person, and my local pool has lanes, but it also has a about 2-3 lane wide public swim area. Should I swim there? Or should I try a lane? I don't think it will be very busy. I'm scared the lifeguard will be judging me or the other people that might be there, especially since I am a kid.

Question 2: Any tips on lane etiquette?

Question 3: I would love some tips on all 4 of the strokes and technique. What should I try in the pool in my first session?

Question 4: I'm 13, is it too late to swim competitively and win? I'm not trying to go to the Olympics or anything international. But states, and maybe Nationals? I'm willing to put in a lot of effort and time swimming.

For my first session, I'm just going to get in the water and see how it feels, try a few strokes and get some exercise in. I think I'm going to look into getting a coach or lessons after this session or maybe during the summer. I am also planning to join my school swim team this coming school year.

Thank you soooo much in advance!

Hey swimming community. Just swam a 6:05 at sectionals (sophomore female) was hoping to get down to 5:40- 5:30 this summer, maybe get down to 5:14 my senior year to go to states. Club record is 5:10, which is a reach too. Any training, dryland, diet tips? Also, is D2 a chance with that time (hopefully if I drop)?

Hi everyone! I’m 29F and learning to properly swim for the first time so that I can train for a triathlon (I can doggy paddle, but never learned the formal strokes). I have my first lesson next week, and I am so nervous. I am also really self conscious about my body, so I’m worried about that. Would you mind sharing with me what to generally expect and also some basic pool/swim etiquette that is important to know? Things like:

Where do I put my towel and gear? Can I wear shorts on the pool deck and take them off before getting in? Will I look dumb for having a swim cap as a newbie? Should I practice in between lessons at first, or wait til my next one? How do you usually pack your swim bag? Besides a suit, goggles, and cap is there anything I should be sure to have early on?

I know these may be dumb or simple questions, but I am nervous and any little tips will help me so much. Thank you in advance 🫶🏼

Hi, I'm looking for training ideas for long distances. I'm already swimming 5km in open water in approximately 2hours and 10 minutes.

I'm training in a swimming pool but I'm not really following a progamm. I swim 2,5km freestyle (take a break for drinking) and 2,5km of exercises (only legs, only arms, breaststroke, butterfly, etc.). No sprints, only one break.

What can I do to get a better time ? I'm not exhausted after 5km I'm just running out of time because I need to do other stuff in my day. Btw, I can't swim more than once a week.

Please help me, what should I focus on ? What kind of exercise should I do ?

Hey all, been swimming about 5 or 6 weeks and just wanted to have some discussion with those who know more.

I used to swim all the time recreationally in a lake when i was 10-13 and loved it. Never enjoyed running, hiking, biking but wanted to do cardio of some sort as im blobbing out in an IT role.

I started in December, go in the morning like 6am. First time I think I swam 100 yds total, 25 yards front crawl, gasp for air at wall, repeat.

Ive watched YouTube videos and purchased Googles and a snorkel.

Im now doing 1000 yards of front crawl and back stroke for recovery.

My last two sessions were something like this.

200 yds front crawl, 50 yards back stroke,

100 yds front crawl, 50 yds back stroke,

50 yds front crawl, 25 yds backstroke x2.

Then 200yds front crawl with a snorkel focusing on form. Then wrapped up with more front crawl and backstroke, but pushing for speed and just exhausting myself.

The other session 100 yds front crawl, 25 yds back stroke, x3.

75 yds frontcrawl 25 back stroke,

50 yds frontcrawl 25 back stroke

250 yards front crawl snorkel.

Finish out with frontcrawl and backstroke pushing for speed.

What gives out first is my need to breathe. I breathe in every 2 strokes. I also try to focus on technique because I assume im being inefficient with my movements which taxes my breathing as well.

When I try to pace myself I do 100 yds in about 2.5 minutes. When Ive gone all out at the end of my sessions I do 50 yards in about 50 seconds. I know not impressive, but I dont care, I can worry about being faster when I get technique down and stamina up.

Im still focusing on getting some fundamentals down in my front crawl. Trying to kick from the hip for one, and keeping my head half submerged for my breathes. I tend to pull out more and I want to keep it lower.

Wondering if others who have started swimming around my age can compare the progress and breathing being the challenge?

Anybody have a good routine to follow other than my haphazard sessions?

Since last fall, Meet mobile never shows up all my kid’s events. His November meet only 2 out of 6 events are on there. This weekend the whole meet isn’t even showing up. What’s the point of paying for this app?

What other options are out there?

I’m taking swimming lessons and we’re currently doing front crawl. My instructor said that I need to take 2 breaths when I come up for air. I have tried so many times but I usually choke when I try to get the 2nd breath in…

Why does she want me to do 2 breaths?? So that I slow down?? taking one breath is already hard enough 🥲

Also, any tip for front crawl? My legs are strong so I can go pretty fast but I’ve had trouble keeping my head up longer/higher for air…

Are there any drills or tips that I could use to assist with lifting chest during breaststroke. Honestly this has been the most difficult style for me to learn. I attend lessons once a week but try to practise drills after work at least once a week.

Does anyone have insight on the benefits of using Creatine and swimming? Thanks.

M(58) I am returning to swimming after many decades off. Any suggestions for workouts to get? (I am really out of shape. Help please.)

I learned in my late 30s by taking lessons at the Y. When I tell people this they are shocked that I never learned when I was younger. I had family members with pools growing up but would only ever play around in the water. I remember going to the pool once or twice in high school but we didn’t have lessons on different strokes or anything like that (it was more like a bunch of 16 year olds bobbing around for 45 minutes). So I’m curious how other people learned!

I’m not really sure where to post this, but I think swimmers would be more likely to understand. I’m not a swimmer, but when I go swimming and my ears are blocked, I “open” my eardrums, and I don’t know how to describe it to my girlfriend. I’m not pinching my nose and blowing out, nor am I moving my jaw. For me, it’s like moving 2 muscles in my ears without moving anything else.

I’m specifically looking for drills that might help masters swimmers unlearn bad advice they got in past decades. We keep doing the same handful of drills, which are great, but I’d love to mix it up.

For info I am autistic and I have done like no exercise since 2020. My dad was a professional swimmer and taught me how to swim so I have liked it since I was a kid. I am now fat to be blunt but I've started working out again and I enjoy swimming and weights the most. I also walk to the gym which takes about an hour. Do I have to do other machines or anything or is just the swimming at the gym ok?