How far can you swim?

[DiveMaven]

I started swimming again after many years and I do about 2000 yards (a little over a mile) 2-3x a week as part of my weekly cardio routine. Since beginning this routine, I've found that my breath control and air consumption while diving has improved much more than when I was doing land cardio activities only. Just my experience though, no scientific data to back it up.

 

[PerroneFord]

I started swimming again after many years and I do about 2000 yards (a little over a mile) 2-3x a week as part of my weekly cardio routine. Since beginning this routine, I've found that my breath control and air consumption while diving has improved much more than when I was doing land cardio activities only. Just my experience though, no scientific data to back it up.

Specificity of training. Plenty of scientific evidence to back it up.

 

[Far_X]

I just did a 400m swim last weekend and I knew that a month ago, I wouldn't be able to do it despite "swimming" 2.5km four to five times a week at the local gym. My "swiming" consisted of a modified breast stroke wearing mask, snorkel and fins. But exchange all that for a pair of goggles and a front crawl stroke scared me...lol. I took three swimming lessons, changed my whole technique and saw immediate results. Did the ladder training of 50m 50m 50m 100m 100m 50m 50m 50m etc etc but I was getting too knackered. So I changed it to one attempt to do 500m nice and slow two days before the test - I did it and knew I would have no problem with my test. It was sheer determination. Now I am practising front crawl every morning as I want to be able to swim further than 1000m regularly. I reward myself with a snorkel afterwards which sets me up for the day nicely.

 

[all4scuba05]

my OW class in April had me doing the swim and then treading water for 10 minutes...how embarrassing...like some others, i've snorkeled so many times and never had a problem. but i weigh 140 lbs and i'm short...i have no fat on my body...when it was time to tread, i had to paddle quite fast to keep my head above water...i have negative boyancy...very little fat means that while most of you can float easily, i sink easily...while you guys can handle cold water more easily, i'm shivering...wish i had some fat under my skin

 

[PerroneFord]

mvery little fat means that while most of you can float easily, i sink easily...while you guys can handle cold water more easily, i'm shivering...wish i had some fat under my skin

I was 6'0" and 170 pounds when I certified. about 10% bodyfat and sunk like a brick. The treading water part nearly killed me.

But I would GLADLY trade you half of this fat for half of your fitness!