Swimming endurance advice & tips

[kaylee_ann]

I found myself in a similar pickle when I signed up for a dive course a few years ago. I had never learned to swim for real; I could muddle my way across a pool and back, but that was about all. I couldn't do more than a single lap without feeling massively tired and nearly unable to continue. But I recalled that there was a time when I had never run a mile and wanted to conquer running, too. I recalled that I had started with a run down the street and back and just built it up bit by bit. So I resolved to do the same with swimming. It took a few months, but I was able to build my endurance up just as I had with the running. Also, there are many videos online that help with form, and adopting some of what I learned there helped a bit, too. Getting the breathing part down is apparently a difficult hurdle for everyone who isn't a natural. But what helped the most--by far--was simply keeping at it, adding another lap or two every week or so.

I don't really enjoy either swimming or running, by the way. To me, both are still a means to the end. And now that the knees are starting to object to the running, I suppose I should hit the pool more often.

I'm so glad I don't have to pass the swim test first try because id be so much more anxious. definitely going to use YouTube to my advantage. thanks!!

 

[FF / EMT]

I'm starting diving lessons the 28th and want to increase my swim endurance for the 200m test. I figured I've wanted to be more fit for a while, what better time to start than now? I've been doing combined leg/cardio workouts and found that my cardio endurance is good. Any arm exercises, swim practice advice or breathing exercises you could give? Also when swimming, is there anything I could practice to be more efficient in the water and use my energy better in terms of strokes/breathing? TIA!

Swim free style at the local pool, wear a swim cap and goggles.
Dry lands help, but the best practice you’ll get is by swimming.
And practice treading water.
Head down in the water saves time.

If all you have to swim is a 200, then practice doing 400/500’s and the 200 will be cake.

Muscle and hope don’t float.

 

[lexvil]

Diving isn’t swimming, find some fins and do laps to build diving muscle.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @kay_ann

Is there an indoor swim center near you where you could obtain some private instruction and practice what you learn? Swimming freestyle with your head up is really inefficient, no doubt you tire. You would do much better swimming with your head down and breathing to the side. Alternatives could include breaststroke, sidestroke, or even swimming on your back, as @Marie13 did.

A little bit of professional instruction and practice might help you significantly.

Good luck

 

[kaylee_ann]

Hi @kay_ann

Is there an indoor swim center near you where you could obtain some private instruction and practice what you learn? Swimming freestyle with your head up is really inefficient, no doubt you tire. You would do much better swimming with your head down and breathing to the side. Alternatives could include breaststroke, sidestroke, or even swimming on your back, as @Marie13 did.

A little bit of professional instruction and practice might help you significantly.

I will ask about private classes today when I go swimming. ive been watching YouTube videos and their arms are straight when swimming and legs only bend a little bit. as well as their head underwater so I'll be practicing that technique a bit. thanks!

 

[kaylee_ann]

Swim free style at the local pool, wear a swim cap and goggles.
Dry lands help, but the best practice you’ll get is by swimming.
And practice treading water.
Head down in the water saves time.

If all you have to swim is a 200, then practice doing 400/500’s and the 200 will be cake.

Muscle and hope don’t float.

definitely need to swim often to increase confidence and better endurance/strokes. thanks!

 

[scubadada]

I will ask about private classes today when I go swimming. ive been watching YouTube videos and their arms are straight when swimming and legs only bend a little bit. as well as their head underwater so I'll be practicing that technique a bit. thanks!

Having a professional observe your swimming and offering concrete advice would likely be much more valuable than watching videos and trying to improve by yourself. You have a very well-defined goal at this point, you can specifically work toward accomplishing that.

 

[kaylee_ann]

Yep I plan on asking tonight about private lessons

Having a professional observe your swimming and offering concrete advice would likely be much more valuable than watching videos and trying to improve by yourself. You have a very well-defined goal at this point, you can specifically work toward accomplishing that.

 

[Akimbo]

I agree that diving is not swimming and speed is not required to meet the minimum requirements but there is a bigger picture to consider. Being comfortable in the water is important to self-confidence, which is important to enjoying diving and reducing the risk of panic.

A broken fin or mask strap is an inconvenience or annoyance to a good swimmer but can be downright scary to a new diver who is very dependent on their gear.

 

[kaylee_ann]

Yeah those are all reasons why I want to be really comfortable in the water (swimming wise)

I agree that diving is not swimming and speed is not required to meet the minimum requirements but there is a bigger picture to consider. Being comfortable in the water is important to self-confidence, which is important to enjoying diving and reducing the risk of panic.

A broken fin or mask strap is an inconvenience or annoyance to a good swimmer but can be downright scary to a new diver who is very dependent on their gear.