I joined the city pool/gym for really cheap. $25. Used the pool 3 times now and I have 5700 yards under my belt, most of those swim drills. First 1800 yards felt like a car wreck....yesterday I got 2500 yards and felt much better during and afterwards. Kinda proud of these miles since last summer I couldn't swim 25 yards without huffing and puffing.

Any other swimmers? We haven't talked about swimming.

I share the pool with a lot of older folks....60+ age group. Seems they really like it.

Yesterday I shared the lane with a man who swam with one arm, no legs. Found out afterwards he had a stroke in the past....amazing!

Anyone can swim!

Yes, I swim, took classes in college, and I've logged hours and laps over the years, but not lately.

I only have access to backyard pools now, and you can only do so much in them since they are not long.

Yep, mentioned before, swimming might be the best overall exercise man/woman can do. You work every muscle in your body, including those in your hands, feet and "face"!

Swimming rocks!

Addendum: 5 laps in a full-sized pool and you feel like you've been pumping weights for 2 hours. It's greatness!

...go Swim!

I swam the equivalent of going around the world when a youngster.

A typical day was workouts of 4 hours per day, 7 days a week most of the year. We shortened workouts when the winter and summer seasons were coming to a close to gain speed. I did that for 10 years.

Now at 63 its hard to do 2000 yards a workout. I'm old and 75 pounds heavier.

Its the best workout for the heart. Your body cools itself better in water than in air so you can exert at a higher level, longer.

After seeing the man swim with one arm (not a small man either) and a heart stroke...I firmly believe anyone can do it. He had to be around 80 or older.

I've been wanting to start all dang winter. We've got a little sprint tri here I think on May 1st, guess I'll jump in and see how it goes. Then figure out a plan of attack.

I was a varsity swimmer all 4 years of high school. I've swam more miles than I want to think about. There's nothing like diving into the pool at 5:30 every morning. I could have swam at a small div 2 college, but I chose a better education and college experience over swimming. I am kicking around a half ironman, and I know if I sign up for it, I will need to start swimming again. A 1.2 mile swim was a walk in the park for me 6 years ago, not so much any more!

It is all about technique and being efficient in the water. 99% of the people burn too much energy swimming inefficiently. It is a sport you can't just muscle your way through.

Do not forget...being cold is good for the body, and it "slims" you.

Your internal thermostat must maintain 98 degrees, therefore, when you are cold, your body burns your fat!

Swimming in cold water is hard at first, if you sit still and shiver. However, if you are swimming, churning and moving that body, you will warm up, work your muscles and burn fat!

It can be hard for people who hate being cold, which is most everyone, but you will get used to it if you try, and your body will reward you.

Addendum: Sure, being cold and immobile, like sitting in cold water for too long without moving, can be bad for you, but if your goal is to "swim," then swim. You'll be glad you did.

...wisdom

People are telling me when a pool is too warm it makes it tougher to go the distance.

The lake last summer was warm....I can see how it would be tough.

For discussion sake...how many strokes do you take between breaths?

I did 3 last year alternating between arms.....always felt out of breath or whatever...panic like.

Last week (after not swimming 6 months) I was doing some drills and one required me to breath every 2 strokes and MAN it felt natural. I am not a heavy breather...ever....even when out of breath I never fill my lungs down to my gut. Even when out of the water doing that makes me light headed.

So doing left and right stroke...breath...left right breath seems so much easy, less stressed. I don't think many people do 2 strokes....but it feels good for me.

Most folks its 3-5 strokes....maybe one day it would be there.

It's been too long since I did full-size pool laps, so I don't remember the "breath" count. However, I do know it got fewer and fewer as my workout continued.

Since I'm a bike rider and "home" floor exercise freak, I'm starting to talk myself into getting a membership again so that I can swim.

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When I was putting in the miles in high school, I would breath every 5-7 strokes during a workout. Sprint workouts were 3-4. I have always alternated sides while breathing. When you put in lots of laps, breathing on the same side can cause back and hip issues. Last time I swam, I was breathing every 3-5 strokes.

Right, I pretty much grew up in the water, be it on a lake. But always considered myself a pretty strong swimmer, not so much now, because I haven't really in a while, but being in the best shape I've been in since I graduated high school should help. I've only swam a sold mile twice, it wasn't terrible but I really have no desire at this point of my life to do it again. We'd start on a Monday, and swim alittle bit more each day building up to it, then Friday do the whole thing.

I was reading that is open water it's good to know both, sometimes you may have waves crashing into one side or the sun too bright on one side, blinding you.

I make it a point to use both, which is hard when a stroke is an even number. LOL!

Brian I grew up taking swim lessons every summer. Got my life guard certification, but never took a job. Here is the deal...I was taught survival swimming, rescue, ect......being efficient triathlon swimmer was never taught. More gliding and less kicking....wish I had learned that growing up.

I just re-read the original topic...

You stated that a man was swimming with "1" arm and he had "NO" legs?!

Wow! That is impressive. If he can do it, there is no excuse!

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