Just to explain it, its where you where a belt or flotation device and run around in the deep water. I usually run from one end to the other.
I was just wondering what anybody thought of it? I enjoy it but i don't know how much of a workout it is. When i run in the deep water, i try to run like i would on pavement except i try to make it more of a workout and run with legs higher up. I enjoy it, but I don't know how many calories i really am burning or if it is worth it. I don't seem very out of breath or like i'm working so hard when i do it. I definitely get more of a workout swimming laps.
I wish i had a heart rate monitor for one day so i could see what heart rate is at. I guess i can find out in a couple weeks and see if i have lost some weight. Do you think its worth the time?
are you wearing any kind of resistance fins on your feet to increase the resistance and make it harder to move your legs? I would think it would be a harder workout if your feet were actually touching the bottom of the pool, forcing you to push forward.
Swimming laps uses more of your body, so I would think it burns more calories, but I'm no expert - these are just thoughts. I really like swimming laps. I like the freestyle the best, getting into a rhythm, using the 3 stroke - breath, method. Great workout.
I'm not wearing any resistance on feet but maybe i should? I do like laps and i'm no expert either but just from doing both, i would agree that laps is a much better workout and calorie burner. I just like to do pool running after i'm done swimming laps! But i want it to be a good workout too not a waste of time. Maybe the shallow end would be better.
I'm learning the 3 stroke method right now. I like swimming a lot but I still need practice on freestyle! Thanks for your advice!
I'm with fitoverforty on this one, swimming is a great workout. It's favorite cardio workout, hands down.
I think you should try shallow water jogging and see if you can break a sweat. Lean forward, balance on the balls of your feet, and get your knees up as high and fast as possible. I guarantee it, you will exhaust yourself! You could try doing sprints, so maybe do 1 length as hard as you can, wait until you recover on the other side, then sprint back, all-out. Do it until your recovery period extends, and see how you feel. Just some ideas, from one swimmer to another
You guys are probably right about the shallow end. I so far haven't had the guts to try it though. One reason i havent is the shallow end is a little busier with kids and people and I'm a little embarrased to try it. The deep water to be honest i can be a little more incognito when i exercise.
Honestly though i do like the deep water exercising too more than the shallow. I may try the shallow though one of these day, just to see how it is. I do apprecciate your thoughts and advice. In class the teacher said we could also use ankle weights. I would like to try that too. That's suppose to make it a little harder too. I'm hoping i can try that next.
Ankle weights would help because it would add resistance. You could also try treading water (eggbeater or cycling). Tread water as long as you can with maximum effort. When you're strong at it, you can do it with your arms out, or holding onto a weight. Treading doesn't take up too much space in the pool and doesn't draw extra attention like some activities - and I totally hear you on the incognito aspect! I get insecure sometimes too... I like to think most people are just inspired by the creativity and effort
Ankle weight may in opinion potentially boost injury risk, as you're flexing a small joint with a weight attached. There's not a lot of muscle there to protect the Bones and connective tissues as it is.
Good Point Boss. Another thing to is sometimes when i've been in the deep water too long, i can feel meuscles move a little bit like i could have a charlie horse. I usually just try to stretch leg and move foot around but I think with ankle weights that could happen more easily and I Hate Charlie horses!
musculargirl wrote:Another thing to is sometimes when i've been in the deep water too long, i can feel meuscles move a little bit like i could have a charlie horse. I usually just try to stretch leg and move foot around but I think with ankle weights that could happen more easily and I Hate Charlie horses!
Muscle spasms or cramps are pretty common in the water, I get them all the time. Just sit on the edge, stretch it out or massage it until it doesn't hurt anymore and get back to it. If it still hurts I would stop, but usually it's just a passing thing. In the water you are bound to recruit muscles you don't normally use, or to use muscles you usually use in a different way, so in the pool muscle cramps in your legs are not necessarily a sign that anything is wrong. Please ignore everything I just said if you have a condition I don't know about!
You also don't need the ankle weights, especially with the concerns pointed out. Treading water or swimming lengths on their own is great exercise in the deep end.
Simple way to relieve a cramp. Flex your foot towards your face. Gets rid of it in seconds, by stretching the Calf out, but if it happenes a lot it may be a consequence of low sodium intake or possibly high as I believe that can do it as well.
If your talking about the stretch i think your talking. I tried that once and it REALLY hurt. I don't know if i did it wrong or what.
So far I"m charlie horse free, I haven't had one in years. I've just had some muscles move a little, hinting at a possible charlie horse when i'm running in the deep water but its also after I've been doing it for a while and when i stretch and move foot around it so far has gone away.
The stretch was what i learned in scuba diving if you have a cramp. They say to pull your foot towards you. It was a long time ago when i tried that, not sure why it HURT like hell! But hopefully i don't have another cramp to try your advice out Boss! But if i do, I'll see what happens.
Do you think its worth the time?
In class the teacher said we could also use ankle weights. I would like to try that too. That's suppose to make it a little harder too. I'm hoping i can try that next.
