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[mythbuster]

If I may add a suggestion about form. Swimming form is nearly impossible to self-correct. You need someone looking at what you are doing. For just this, I suggest contacting your local Master's swimming club. Each club has a trained coach who directs the workouts. Many of these clubs also do stroke workshops a few times a year where they focus just on form/technique. Call up your local club and I bet the coach would gladly let you come to a workout and give you some pointers.

[yemaya]

For those of you who use a pool at a fitness center, what do you do about people who treat the lap lanes like their own little social center?  I'm crabby because I got cheated out of my workout today.  A bunch of women were standing across both lanes of the pool gabbing and they wouldn't move. 

[octoprof]

If I may add a suggestion about form. Swimming form is nearly impossible to self-correct. You need someone looking at what you are doing. For just this, I suggest contacting your local Master's swimming club. Each club has a trained coach who directs the workouts. Many of these clubs also do stroke workshops a few times a year where they focus just on form/technique. Call up your local club and I bet the coach would gladly let you come to a workout and give you some pointers.

That's very good advice! It certainly would work for you in my town.

[johnr]

For those of you who use a pool at a fitness center, what do you do about people who treat the lap lanes like their own little social center?  I'm crabby because I got cheated out of my workout today.  A bunch of women were standing across both lanes of the pool gabbing and they wouldn't move. 

Put on the biggest, sharpest swim paddles that you can find. Wear them.  As you approach the wall, pick up speed, keep your head down, swing your arms wide (butterfly is excellent for this) and execute a huge, splashy flip turn.  Don't look back.  For general lane-clearing, this works every time. 

[octoprof]

For those of you who use a pool at a fitness center, what do you do about people who treat the lap lanes like their own little social center?  I'm crabby because I got cheated out of my workout today.  A bunch of women were standing across both lanes of the pool gabbing and they wouldn't move. 

Put on the biggest, sharpest swim paddles that you can find. Wear them.  As you approach the wall, pick up speed, keep your head down, swing your arms wide (butterfly is excellent for this) and execute a huge, splashy flip turn.  Don't look back.  For general lane-clearing, this works every time. 

I can do butterfly and clear out my lane and the lanes on either side. ;-) 

[zoelouise]

My swimming life was vastly improved by the book "Total Immersion" by Terry Laughlin.

The book is about stroke efficiency and how to get it. He talks a lot about position in the water, and how you should basically go from sideways to sideways as you swim, not lie on your tummy and move your arms and legs.

The book gives step by step instructions on building a smooth, efficient stroke (crawl). I have not lived in a big enough town to have a coach, but working through the book on my own must have done some good as it made the whole thing easier and more pleasant and relaxing for me.

[swtrixie]

I wish I knew about that book when I started swimming. I could barely make across my own pool without gasping for air. It was more like controlled drowning.

Thanks for the tip.

[fiona]

Just want to reiterate that it's OK, it's really OK, to swim for enjoyment, in any form or format you choose.

Some of the postings here sound so draconian, so rigidly scheduled, that all the joy goes out of the exercise. Why make it into another piece of must-do homework, like all the other chores we have?

Or is the idea to drive away anyone who's not a "serious" exerciser, maybe a proto-marathoner?

(I also marvel at people who can't go through life listening to their own thoughts, and have to have music all the time.)

I'm now going for a swim, in a ratty bathing suit, old goggles, no cap, and an anticipation of great pleasure. Relaxed folks are welcome.

The Fiona

[bibliothecula]

Thanks again, all.

Now, if only my pool had a whirlpool like The Fiona's does (if I remember correctly) for after-swim lounging....

[zoelouise]

Just want to reiterate that it's OK, it's really OK, to swim for enjoyment, in any form or format you choose.

Some of the postings here sound so draconian, so rigidly scheduled, that all the joy goes out of the exercise. Why make it into another piece of must-do homework, like all the other chores we have?

Or is the idea to drive away anyone who's not a "serious" exerciser, maybe a proto-marathoner?

(I also marvel at people who can't go through life listening to their own thoughts, and have to have music all the time.)

I'm now going for a swim, in a ratty bathing suit, old goggles, no cap, and an anticipation of great pleasure. Relaxed folks are welcome.

The Fiona

Word, Fiona.

I could do intervals, but I am pretty sure it's okay if I don't. If my level of physical fitness is suboptimal, I can live with it. My level of mental health is improved if I do something pleasurable in the way that is pleasurable to me. And that means clearing the mind and cruising up and down the pool at a mellow pace, in a mellow place.

[johnr]

Just want to reiterate that it's OK, it's really OK, to swim for enjoyment, in any form or format you choose.

Some of the postings here sound so draconian, so rigidly scheduled, that all the joy goes out of the exercise. Why make it into another piece of must-do homework, like all the other chores we have?

Or is the idea to drive away anyone who's not a "serious" exerciser, maybe a proto-marathoner?

(I also marvel at people who can't go through life listening to their own thoughts, and have to have music all the time.)

I'm now going for a swim, in a ratty bathing suit, old goggles, no cap, and an anticipation of great pleasure. Relaxed folks are welcome.

The Fiona

You know, I knew that this post would be coming; I wasn't sure who was going to write it, but I knew that it would be coming.  My father used to say the same thing to me about exercising in general.  He couldn't understand why anybody would spend any time running or swimming.  It was just another chore and, between work and home, he had enough chores.  He would have thought your daily swimming, in any form,  to be draconian and rigid (not to mention silly).  I guess it's all about perspective. Who are we to question or judge what others find enjoyable? 

[zoelouise]

Hi John-

I should say I also think it's fully cool for you to do your thing. I just had some buddies come to town for a big and strenuous athletic event that I would never do in a million years- but it was fun to watch and encourage them, and they appreciated the snacks I fed them afterwards.

It's all good.

[voxprincipalis]

I'm so glad to see how many of us love to swim!

Not so much -- it's just the form of exercise I hate the least. :)

Actually, that's not really true -- I do love the physical sensation of the water moving around me, but I dislike the exertion. Still, it works well for me for weight loss (or at least it used to), and I like the lack of obvious sweat and the no-impact-ness of it.

Thanks for the goggle recommendations; I'll check them out!

VP

[fiona]

 I guess it's all about perspective. Who are we to question or judge what others find enjoyable? 

Of course we question and judge. If not, why bother to post?

The Fiona

[zoelouise]

Hee.