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Anonymous
Hey /fit/,

I had a request to make a swimming topic. I was a competitive swimmer for several years and I can answer a lot of questions about technique and work outs that you guys might otherwise not know. I can't really tell you stuff like calorie burning or what to do for dryland, but if you have questions on technique, the different types of strokes, what kinds of sets to do, and pool hygiene, ask away.

Also, if you want me to explain why shaving is such a big part of swimming (hint: it has nothing to do with reducing drag), I can go into that as well.
>> Anonymous
>>420570
Is it because swimmers are all twinks that crave the cock?
>> Anonymous
>>420570
how do I swim better?
I get really tied just doing half the length of the pool (either 25m or 50m, not sure)
>> Anonymous
>>420573
0/10
>> Anonymous
Not sure whether this is directly related to swimming (I assume you mean race-oriented surface swimming) but any tips on how to train for breath holding and lung capacity? I'm interested in freediving.

And what is the deal with shaving down if it's not for speed? I understand other sports they do it for comfort but swimmers don't wear tons of chafing clothes...
>> Anonymous
>>420584

We used to do anaerobic training in swimming (it's faster if you take as few breaths as possible especially while sprinting, if you watch the olympics, the swimmers take no breaths during the 50m freestyle).

Get a pair of fins (you probably have them if you're free diving), then swim underwater for a pool length (the whole way as fast as you can) and swim back on your back, kicking. This is a great way to build anaerobic fitness and I guarantee you will feel the burn early on in the set. Do as many as you can, on 60 second intervals (i.e. not 60 seconds rest, start a new one every 60).
>> Anonymous
>>420578

This sounds more like a cardiovascular problem than maybe a technique one. If you get winded or tired too easily, you may just need to swim more in order to get your body used to it.

Poor technique can also be frustrating and energy-wasting too, though. You want to reach your arms out as far in front of you as possible and glide for a bit before taking your stroke. As your arms come down to propel you forward, make sure to bend your elbow (ideally the bicep portion of your arm should be parallel to the ground) so you are pushing your hand straight back. If you push in a windmill type fashion, you wast A LOT of energy because you're only pushing directly back for a small portion of the stroke (in the beginning you're pushing down, and the end you're pushing up).
>> Anonymous
so why shave?
>> Anonymous
>>420584

OK, shaving is a practice that many people don't understand. Most people, I would say, imagine that it's to reduce drag on the body by eliminating body hair (the emphasis on 'fastskin' suits in Olympic swimming can reinforce that idea) but in actuality, it has a much different effect. The brain can deliver output (muscle action) only based on the input it is given by senses. When you remove all body hair, you not only eliminate the barrier between hair and skin, but also a layer of dead skin (think of the fresh feeling you have on your face after shaving). All of a sudden, you are constantly aware of even the slightest pressure no matter where it is on your body. Essentially, you can 'feel' the water better and produce a more effective stroke with less energy. Some of you might think that it sounds like a bunch of crap, and I probably would too if I hadn't done it before. The feeling you get jumping into water with a shaved body is one of the strangest and most electrifying experiences I've ever encountered. You can try it yourself by maybe growing out your beard for a few weeks and then shaving it off, or even better, shaving an arm after a few weeks (the face and head have fewer sensory nerves than elsewhere, which is why shaving the head is largely psychological).

If I was unclear, ask and I'll try to elaborate more.
>> Anonymous
i want to change my activity from running to swimming. mostly because i'm worried about joint damage and would like to work my upper body more. i'm reasonably fit, i try to run 3 miles at a decent pace when i go out.

could you recommend me a good beginners swimming workout? anything i should know about starting up?
>> Anonymous
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How to I be like Mike?
>> CWheezy !!bJFrM5LONOF
>>420624
Be a genetic freak more than anything.
>> Anonymous
>>420626

This is definitely true. Phelps has incredibly long arms, short legs with a long torso, and feet the size of flippers. He is literally built for swimming.
>> Anonymous
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>>420624
>> Anonymous
>>420619

I would recommend learning flip turns at the very least. Otherwise, distance swimming would be like running 3 miles but stopping every 25m. Make sure you get a good warm up, and remember that just because you have a good cardiovascular system from running, your arms are going to be totally unaccustomed to that kind of workout.

As for some beginner workouts, try doing 10x50 on 1 minute intervals. Depending on how good you get (or are), you can decrease the interval time to 50 seconds to keep your heart rate up. If you miss an interval, rest ~ten seconds and keep going, don't wait for the next one.

I also like ladder sets with 10 seconds rest between distances.

25-50-75-100-200-100-75-50-25

Mix up the strokes. For example, do the 25s butterfly, 50s back, 75s breast, 100s freestyle, and the 200 IM (50 fly, 50 back, 50 breast, 50 free) and so on back down.
>> Anonymous
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>>420637
Oh yeah, I beginner will be able to do butterfly.
>> Anonymous
>>420643

Butterfly is a lot less technical than breaststroke. Those were just suggestions for strokes, but you should definitely not do just freestyle. Alternating strokes can work different muscles and keep joints from getting overworked and injured.
>> Anonymous
Bump for the afternoon folk.
>> Anonymous
why swim wen you can just deadlift and squat? What a fucking waste of time. You wanna get in shape and get strong? HIT THE FUCKING GYM!!
>> Anonymous
>>421033

Yes, because deadlifts and SQUATZ are certainly balanced, aerobic exercises.
>> Anonymous
>>421048
thats when you do less weight but more reps. you can tone and get cardio without ever having to do anything other than weights.
>> Anonymous
>>421053

TONE
>> Anonymous
>>421058
yeah, that thing fat fucks like you will never know of.

Wanna know the only reason why swimming is popular? Cuz the swimmersa re toned1!! Thats the only thing thats fun about watching swimmers!
>> Anonymous
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>>421053

TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED
>> Anonymous
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TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED TONED
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>> Anonymous
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OP here.

You'd know why swimming's popular if you've ever won a close race. I bet every competitive swimmer on the planet knew how the US team felt after beating France in the relay.

Pic related.

Lezak fucking ROCKED his anchor leg.
>> Anonymous
>>421081
the only people that watch swimming events are chicks.

i dont know any real man that enjoys watching phelps boy swim back and forth. i can watch myself do that if im really bored..
>> Anonymous
Why do chicks love this shit sport so much?
>> Anonymous
>>421120
naked men and no violence.
>> Anonymous
bump
>> Anonymous
>>421134

What are you bumping for?
>> Anonymous
>>421156
i don't know, felt like the right thing to do