Swimming

[Lönne]

This morning I was swimming for half an hour and I noticed that it`s the best thing to do to start your day when you´re still a little tired and then you jump into the cool refreshing water of the pool, you do your rows and afterwards you´re all awake and prepared to kick ass.
Some of you American guys might even have your own pools in the backyard, but that´s pretty unusual here. That`s why I have a mempershipcard for the local pool where I go to by bike, what even increases my conditioningsports program. So I was wondering if you guys have similar morning rituals during summer. Someone told me that to much swimming could shorten the muscles fibers which would give you a different physic in a negative way. Is that true?

[Rigo]

I believe swimming is a great cardio exercise.

[Duckzilla]

This morning I was swimming for half an hour and I noticed that it`s the best thing to do to start your day when you´re still a little tired and then you jump into the cool refreshing water of the pool, you do your rows and afterwards you´re all awake and prepared to kick ass.
Some of you American guys might even have your own pools in the backyard, but that´s pretty unusual here. That`s why I have a mempershipcard for the local pool where I go to by bike, what even increases my conditioningsports program. So I was wondering if you guys have similar morning rituals during summer. Someone told me that to much swimming could shorten the muscles fibers which would give you a different physic in a negative way. Is that true?

This is completely th opposite of what I hear. I am going to start swimming this summer because it is said to be one of the greatest exercises, But now you got me questioning... Yeah some one answer this queston, if anyone can.

[Rahf]

If you don't work in your full range of motion then yes, your mobility will suffer in the long run.

[Kon-El]

doing all the different strokes, rather than just front or breast for examlpe, will decrease chances of shortening muscles and losing flexibility. also u shouldnt worry about that unless u plan on swimming a lot for a long time and doing little else. stretch and work out alongside the swimming and you have nothing to fear.

morning rituals.. slapping the snooze button

[Duckzilla]

Awsome! That is basicy what I thought i was going to hear. Any other replys to expand on this?

[Wesker]

Professional swimmers have some of the most flexible shoulders you'll find in competitive sports. If you swim doing full complete strokes you'll be fine. Compared to the fact that if you bicycle too much you're hamstrings will inevitably get shorter.

[compleks]

I've always considered waking up early to go for a morning swim. But it's just too much of a hassle, especially now that it's cold, and I'm a pussy.

[b_ran_runner]

try getting up at 5:30 in the morning and swimming for an hour its a good workout and a great start to your day. it doesn't shorten the muscles but it will make you frickin beast. though just in case i would recommend alternating swimming strokes and maybe even consider doing like one handed strokes and just kicks to work different parts of the muscles

[flyboy]

I swim alot, sometimes twice a day, and I'm a swim instructor, and I volunteer at the pool. Swimming is one of the best exercises out there, it works every freaking muscle in your body if you do it right, great cardio, and the idea where it shortens your range of motion if you swim the different strokes is retarded as far as I know. However, many swimmers do develop shoulder problems, so I'd say watch your shoulders. I know of three or four swimmers near me who had to get shoulder surgery.
As far as your physique, c'mon, do you ever see a good, fat swimmer? Swimming burns alot of calories, and in order to stay good at it it is important to stay lean in order to decrease resistance one must overcome while swimming. Swimming kicks ass, but don't expect incredibly large muscles from it as most swimmers have a low body fat percentage and good muscle overall, but lack the large definition football players and body builders have.

[chicanerous]

In high school, through the winter, I used to swim 2000-3000 yards each morning at 5 AM and then another 3000-5000 after school.

I can tell you that it was not refreshing in the least.

[compleks]

That's hardcore.

My version of swimming usually involves 2-3 laps, followed by plenty of lazing around in the water.

[Takpapp]

complete strokes you'll be fine. Compared to the fact that if you bicycle too much you're hamstrings will inevitably get shorter.


Care to expand on this?
I used to bicycle alot and my hamstrings are shite.

[Papa Lazarou]

The muscles are working while shorter than resting length.

[compleks]

I see what you did there, Chic.

[Nabil]

i agree with chic, ive been swimming and competing all my life seriously up until about 2 years back.
The morning training sessions were insane. Especially since the water was freezing, not just cold.
But i have to admit it feels gr8 after your done.
Now when i swim i get mega pumps out of it hehe feels gr8 as well

[Wesker]

If I lived by the sea, and it was warm and shark free then, and ONLY then would I go for a morning swim.

[Lees Dragon]

Swimming in the morning is invigorating..Theres no feel like it. Energy surges through your body like crazy.
Its incredibly amazing when you swim in the sea in the morning.
Man, i wish i had a backyard pool...That would rock in so many ways.

But i gotta agree with some of you, when something (such as swimming) becomes compulsory and you have to do it daily...it does tend to lose its flavour

[Honken]

As far as your physique, c'mon, do you ever see a good, fat swimmer?

Actually, I have. A girl that was in my class for a few months is an elite junior swimmer that trains swimming 5 times a week, her BF% if probably 25-30% and she's about 30-40 pounds overweight.

I doubted that she was a good swimmer until we swam in PE.

[Sakanem]

... fat floats?

[flyboy]

Actually, I have. A girl that was in my class for a few months is an elite junior swimmer that trains swimming 5 times a week, her BF% if probably 25-30% and she's about 30-40 pounds overweight.

I doubted that she was a good swimmer until we swam in PE.

Ok, so I exaggerated the fat swimmer thing. I have met one good fat swimmer as well. Then one day I saw her outside doing cartwheels everywhere. Weird.

[chicanerous]

For some reason, the fatties always swim fly.

Wait, I swam fly... was I fat!?!? :sad:

[compleks]

No, just a little chunky.

[kickjim]

Dogen suggests water tricking. Never tried.

[Karlnold]

Swim with weights...

[markymark]

hey this is something I actually have knowledge about!

I swam for a good 6 years, four in high school and two before that. I focused mostly on Breaststroke and Freestyle. Since I didn't A) stretch before or after practice and B)give a shit about swimming Backstroke, I lost flexibility in my shoulders. My delts got pretty big, along with my chest, but to this day I still can't rotate my arm directly vertical.

Also my friend who I lift with said my biceps are closer to the inside of my arm rather than being in the middle, he said he figured it was from swimming. But that's just my friend's opinion.

I think swimming is a great exercise, but just be sure to stretch out your friggin' shoulders so you retain your full range of motion or you'll end up having to "re-lengthen" your muscles down the road like me.