Starting Swimming

The_One_Who

I'm wanting to start a bit of a fitness boost soon, and swimming may be a part of it. However, I haven't been in a public pool in years, and only own a bikini. As such, I'm pretty self-conscious both in my ability (I was decent at school, but it's not like riding a bike) and of my body.

Does anyone know of any good ways (tips, techniques, exercises, etc) to ease into it? Unfortunately I can't make it to any lessons because they are on when I already have commitments.

mrcow

Just buy a swimming costume.

You can get them for £2-3 from Primark.

Mrs_Arcanum

Lunchtime sessions could be handy if your local pool offers this. The people tend to be solitary swimmers just doing some laps for exercise and will take no notice of your efforts.

Sports direct do cheap cossies which will cover up & withstand the swimming.

The_One_Who

mrcow wrote: »

Just buy a swimming costume.

You can get them for £2-3 from Primark.

I'm sure once I get from the changing room to the pool I'd be fine, as I don't think my local pool has any issue with bikinis (do any?). I think from a mentality perspective, it just highlights that I'm not a "swimmer", if that makes sense? I am fully aware that I think far too much into things!

If I do buy a full costume I'd be willing to pay a bit more and get something decent. Even if it doesn't come with the shorts like my current bikini has.

Mrs_Arcanum wrote: »

Lunchtime sessions could be handy if your local pool offers this. The people tend to be solitary swimmers just doing some laps for exercise and will take no notice of your efforts.

Sports direct do cheap cossies which will cover up & withstand the swimming.

Thanks. After a quick look at their timetable, they have "adult lane jogging" over lunchtime, which I presume is what you are referring to.

I know that I should just take a deep breath and jump in (literally), I was just wondering if there are any sort of techniques or tips to help ease me in and to build up my skill.

Bronnie

The_One_Who wrote: »

Thanks. After a quick look at their timetable, they have "adult lane jogging" over lunchtime, which I presume is what you are referring to.

"Adult Aqua Jog" in my local sports centre is actually a power-walking in water session, not swimming!

doelani

Go for it ....

my story.... learn to swim in primary school BUT a boy pushed me intot the deep end and I really thought I was going to drown, this started my fear of swimming... over last 35 years I have been to pool a number of times when kids were young, I would never swim just play about with them. When we went on holiday although I took bathing suit it would not even see the water lol

3 weeks ago I decided enough was enough, i went to pool, faced the walk to the pool ( I am about 10 stone overweight so not easy ) and just got into water and decided t try a length, first day I did 10 lenghts at a stuggle, took me about an hour as I was swimming a lenght and them resting for a few minutes . now 3 weeks later I can comfortably do 32 lengths and can even move away from side of pool lol my safety net in case I had to stop so I could hold on. :rotfl:


Ring pool and ask about adult only sessions and when pool is less busy, good luck .

Gers

Have a look at this site - http://www.swimming.org/swimfit/ which has great tips and stuff!

Ask at your local pool for a timetable and information about adult only swimming, early morning sessions etc. And yes, Aqua Jog is being in deep water with a buoyancy belt on and doing vertical running motions - it's brilliant for your CV system.

Have a look at http://www.swimming.org/go/ too - this should offer some help.

I lurve swimming!

:j

The_One_Who

Bronnie wrote: »

"Adult Aqua Jog" in my local sports centre is actually a power-walking in water session, not swimming!

It's on every day though! I think I'll need to ring the pool and ask, and even if it is this odd power walking thing, they have "public swimming" going on alongside it, so they probably just section the pool.

doelani wrote: »

3 weeks ago I decided enough was enough, i went to pool, faced the walk to the pool ( I am about 10 stone overweight so not easy ) and just got into water and decided t try a length, first day I did 10 lenghts at a stuggle, took me about an hour as I was swimming a lenght and them resting for a few minutes . now 3 weeks later I can comfortably do 32 lengths and can even move away from side of pool lol my safety net in case I had to stop so I could hold on. :rotfl:

Well done! It's not easy doing anything like this.

Gers wrote: »

Have a look at this site - http://www.swimming.org/swimfit/ which has great tips and stuff!

Ask at your local pool for a timetable and information about adult only swimming, early morning sessions etc. And yes, Aqua Jog is being in deep water with a buoyancy belt on and doing vertical running motions - it's brilliant for your CV system.

Have a look at http://www.swimming.org/go/ too - this should offer some help.

I lurve swimming!

:j

I will look at those sites, thanks. And will be phoning the pool tomorrow to clarify what the "lane jogging" consists of. Since it's on every day (and isn't in the class schedule) I think it's what I would call 'lunchtime lanes', but you never know!

debulition

I recommend this book. I nervously returned to the pool (after 20 years of not swimming) and this book helped me to go swimming again without being convinced I was going to drown. I swam 3km the other day.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Swimming-without-Stress-Lessons-Lovers/dp/0955012309/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344091760&sr=8-1

jayII

I second getting hold of a timetable. My local pool has early morning and lunchtime 'lane swiming' sessions most days, plus some evening sessions. The lanes are designated as 'slow' 'medium' and 'fast', as they are in most pools during lane swim times. The pool also has 'adult swim' sessions some evenings.

The other option is going to open swim times, many pools keep a lane cordoned off for serious swimmers during open swims.

There may be a timetable online, most pools do these days.

belfastgirl23

First things first, you definitely will look like a hobbyist in a bikini so it is worth investing in a swimsuit. M&S have I think 20% off at the minute and their suits are decently supportive and last pretty well. It's worth buying slightly big since the more they have to stretch when you're wearing them the faster they wear out.

I know you can't make the lessons but it might be worth booking a one hour slot and getting a one to one lesson. Just a little bit of guidance can make a big difference and prevent you from doing yourself damage if you are doing any amount of swimming. Unless your technique is sound of course. I took a few lessons when I started swimming again and it was really worthwhile I'd always been a decent enough swimmer but didn't have the breathing skills in particular.

It is worth thinking about going early in the morning too, you definitely don't tend to get kids at 7am!

And if it's weightloss you're after, look out for aqua aerobics classes. I used to do them and loved them!

Finally, soak your hair before you go in the pool. The chlorine is very hard on your hair and my hairdresser reckons if you have your hair soaking before you go in, the chlorinated water doesn't soak in the same way.

Edited to say once I had my technique sorted I used this site to build up my distance - I found it an excellent programme http://ruthkazez.com/ZeroTo1mile.html