CommunityBrowse groupsBlogEtiquetteInvite Your friendsSuccess Stories

Lounge
Community 


swimming and intensity

When I run, I can get my heart rate in the 85% range. Swimming barely cracks the 65% mark. And yet people tell me swimming is such a great total body cardio workout.

So is swimmimg faster my only means of upping the cardio? I already swim 2k in about 42 min- that's *I think* 50m every 1m10s. I did 700m in 12m53s, and that was more intense, but I think that still only got me to about 75% of target range.

Any swimmers with advice?
(And I don't need caution about my target zone, I worked out for months at 70% with NO results, upped it to 80-85% and got results.)



Sun. Jul 9, 6:54pm

Add comment  
Swimming

You say total body cardio workout - technically a cardio workout works your heart, right?
I think when people say that swimming is a total body workout, they mean the muscles that are used to swim involve your whole body.
I know that some people swim with weights on their arms and legs to up their strength training and muscle strength in the water. You could also try water running rather than swimming to get that heart rate up in the water.
Good luck with whatever exercise you are doing! :)

Sunday, July 09, 2006, 7:28 PM

Add comment
to increase muscle workouts in the water use hand paddles and fins. they give you more resistance and teach you how to get an efficient stroke.

as for getting your heart rate up - are you a distance athlete? i am. sometimes i get into a bad habit of finding a nice steady pace and sticking with it. i can't get my heart rate up doing that, so i have to remember to modify it. i don't know how you lap swim - if you just do one long distance or if you do sets of shorter distances. but try mixing things up - like do a length / lap at 100%, followed by a recovery lap. or do a "build-up" where you start at a medium pace and then build up to 100% by the time you reach the other end of the pool.

Sunday, July 09, 2006, 7:57 PM

Add comment
You may also have a higher max heart rate than the standard calculation gives you. In that case you could use Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) instead, or in addition to, your heart rate.

See the link for more info




Link

Monday, July 10, 2006, 9:50 AM

Add comment
drills drills drills

Continuously swimming laps will have you moving slower than you realize- esp. because boredom may become a factor. Use the kickboard- do flutter kick sprints. Turn sideways and do side-kick sprints(no arms). Not only do these up your heart rate they engage your whole torso. Break up the drills with freestyle (front crawl) sprints, full out! Do this for at least 30-45 mins. Can you do other strokes? Butterfly is great for cardio AND TB workouts. Swimmers have great cardio endurance. You may just want to get a trainer short term to give you an effective workout.

Monday, July 10, 2006, 1:32 PM

Add comment
Hanry

Swim at your convenient time, place, pace and manner you want to. Swim spas are precision engineered swimming pools used for health Arctic Spas Denver, relaxation and wellness.


Saturday, August 22, 2020, 2:20 PM

Add comment








Related Content:

How To Lose Weight- The Basics
Weight Watchers Points System
The Fat Smash Diet
The Eat To Live Diet
The Beck Diet Solution
How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight

 

How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer

How To Burn Fat
Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works
Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight?
Tips On Using PEERtrainer
Visit The PEERtrainer Community
Diet and Fitness Resources

Fitness

Weight Watchers Meetings
Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are
Writing Down Your Daily Workouts
Spending Money On A Personal Trainer?
How I Became A Marathon Runner

 

Preventive Health

How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout
Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot?
Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer?
Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy
Reversing Disease Through Nutrition

New Diet and Fitness Articles:

Weight Watchers Points Plus
How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise
New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program
New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive
Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program
 

Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne:

Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough
How To Delay Short Term Gratification
How To Stay Motivated
How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule

Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions

Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight?
Are Protein Drinks Safe?
Nutrition As Medicine?
 

Everyday Weight Loss Tips

How To Eat Healthy At A Party
How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight
The Three Bite Rule
Tips On How To Stop A Binge