Swimming for cardio

Looking to hear from people who use swimming as a form of cardio. I have a lot of scar tissue in my left leg and cant endure a lot of impact. I also just really enjoy swimming.

For those who do swim, what it your sessions like? Speed, distance, tempo, frequency. Im trying to improve my conditioning and help with a cut.

 

Swimming for cardio

Have you tried to see a ART specialist for the scar tissue buildup?

 

Swimming for cardio

i used to be a competitive swimmer. i highly recommend swimming as cardio. its mainly going to be like long slow cardio though. it will also help with breath control.

if you cant run you can try weighted carries or sled work. that is low impact. the awesome thing about sled work is it has no eccentric portion.

or do some RKC style stuff and do swings and timed snatches. for example, do 10 reps of KB snatches each minute for 10 minutes.

 

Swimming for cardio

Swimming is like bonus cardio/conditioning work for me, so I don't have a very set routine.. I change it up based on what I did the prior few days and what I'm in the mood for.

Sometimes its 8-10 x 250m with a minute or two rest. These are slow aerobic intervals.
Other times its 4 x 400
And when I want to do some anaerobic conditioning it will be 5-10 x 50-100m

Br

 

Swimming for cardio

Swimming obviously provides the benefit of reduced weight-bearing and ground reaction forces that would suit if you had a lower limb injury...in saying that, it also has the potential to overload the cervical/thoracic spines and shoulders, particularly if following a shoulder/push/pull split...personally my impingement symptoms are worse if I swim the day of my shoulder split (I have since re-organized programme)
In terms of sessions, I find mixing it up with hand paddles, fins, pull buoys, kick boards keeps it interesting...I usually try complete a longer aerobic session and a speed session depending on where I am in my training periodisation..
HIIT in the pool can also be difficult, and unless the life guards a babe, avoid training to failure or you'll drown

 

Swimming for cardio

Swimming is one of the most underrated things around imo. I have always been in my best overall shape when swimming was part of my arsenal.

Just like any cardio I would mix it up. Long, slow days and more intense days where you swim faster. Be prepared initially for some DOMS in the shoulders!

 

Swimming for cardio

I went to physical therapy years ago. It helped me to straighten my foot while walking but never thought of ART for the scar tissue. I also have the additional problem of uneven growth in my legs due to the break being along the growth plate which has now moved into my hips.

Oh my gpd, my read delts that first day!!! I was thinking to alternate between high intensity sessions and slow steady paced distances. Originally I was just gonna do distance. Focus on cral with breath every 3 strokes. I can do a decent flip turn. Maybe if I get amped up ill do a 50 of fly on those high intensity days.. I hate backstroke with a passion. Do you ever schedule certain workouts around swimming? For example, not doing a back workout and swim too close together?

 

Swimming for cardio

After a lower back injury I've been hitting the pool for my cardio lately. I can make a single lap and I'm breathing like I had just sprinted a mile. I was in fairly good cardiovascular shape prior to the injury and thought this would be a cake walk. There goes my ego again.

I've never been a very strong swimmer, but could stay afloat if it was necessary, but never tried to train it. Now that I see it's a challenge... I'll be doing it much more often. Especially since running is out of the question right now.

I'm having a hard time with the breathing. Is there a trick to it that I'm not getting? Once I get to the point where my legs are giving out I'll back stroke for a bit so I can breathe.

 

Swimming for cardio

When I was lean and mean I was a pro surfer. The cardio workout is insane. Sometimes i miss swimming. One of the best cardio workouts out there.

 

Swimming for cardio

You can always row (machine), great way to condition without too much leg work.