Swimming Thread

Getting into swimming after many years due to a ongoing hip injury laying me off football, walking, running and generally most things. Whilst it's probably the best exercise I can do right now, it is still hard due to the natural hip rotation in front crawl (breaststroke is a no)

I like the sound of the above posters blocks of 16, I'm currently doing blocks of 10, will up it to 12 soon. I'm only going once a week due to struggles with chlorine, my skin is really not enjoying it.

Got some ear plugs today, had a blocked ear for weeks and I'm worried about swimmers ear.

Despite my body's clear dislike to indoor swimming pools, I will persevere. I'm currently on 1.75km a session, once a week, but would perhaps prefer 1km 3 times a week, if my poor precious skin, ears etc will allow it.
 
staffsblue said:
I swim at least 5km a week in 2 sessions. I think I'm currently doing too much per session as I've got cramp a couple of times recently, but also want to fit in 3 runs per week and a couple of recovery days.
I intend shifting things around in the new year doing 3 x 2km swims per week, but reducing my running to twice a week, but working towards one of the runs being 10km.
I think chlorine levels vary widely between pools. I read recently that the chlorine has to work harder in pools where swimmers don't shower before swimming, which actually sounds a bit minging!
However, I've noticed when I swim at Manchester Aquatics Centre, I hardly notice the smell or after effects of chlorine at all.
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Thanks, that sounds a lot! I am planning to up it next week or the week after.

I can't believe you can hardly notice the smell of chlorine after the aquatics, where I am the stench on me is crazy, perhaps due to kids classes? I dunno, swimming seems like the perfect thing for me right now, plus if I give it up I've got next to nothing for exercise, but swimming pools seem pretty disgusting
 
shemnel said:
Getting into swimming after many years due to a ongoing hip injury laying me off football, walking, running and generally most things. Whilst it's probably the best exercise I can do right now, it is still hard due to the natural hip rotation in front crawl (breaststroke is a no)

I like the sound of the above posters blocks of 16, I'm currently doing blocks of 10, will up it to 12 soon. I'm only going once a week due to struggles with chlorine, my skin is really not enjoying it.

Got some ear plugs today, had a blocked ear for weeks and I'm worried about swimmers ear.

Despite my body's clear dislike to indoor swimming pools, I will persevere. I'm currently on 1.75km a session, once a week, but would perhaps prefer 1km 3 times a week, if my poor precious skin, ears etc will allow it.
Click to expand...
I can recommend Ear Calm as a prevention for swimmers ear . I buy mine on line and use it weekly . . And I use liberal amounts of Palmers Cocos butter every day which helps the skin and makes me smell like hot chocolate . Finally I need eye drops to stop the chlorine irritating my eyes ....is it al worth it ....yes . Nothing like it for mental health and fitness .
 
Ilovehappyendings said:
Anyone know any recommended swim coaches in Manchester. Id love to improve my technique
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Just my opinion but the best way to improve your technique is go regularly and eventually you’ll find the stroke and breathing that suits you most. I’ve swam pretty much every day for last twenty five years. Took me a couple months but I eventually settled in front crawl, breathe every four strokes and always to the left. Where and when possible I always swim in a lane next to the wall. Always wear goggles. 99% of my propulsion is through arms; I use very little foot kick. I average 45-50 mins per 64 lengths 1 mile).
Outdoor swimming is great but increasingly fraught with the danger of picking up a bug - can of flat coke if you’re swimming somewhere like Sale Water Park.
My gym allows me to swim outdoors any time between 6am and 11pm. It’s expensive (£180 per month) but I go every day, without fail. So get my money’s worth. I love it. And it’s the best mental exercise you can get.
My advice: swim, swim and keep swimming!!!
 
staffsblue said:
Depends on your age, fitness and weight.
I'm a retired slightly overweight bloke and can do 2km (80 x 25m lengths) in just under an hour. For a mile (64 lengths), that would take me around 48 minutes.
I'm not particularly fast, take a rest to let faster swimmers overtake me, and usually reside in the "medium" speed lane.
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Same. I'm in my early 50's. Slightly overweight.
Started swimming 10 years ago, mainly breastroke. Helped with injuries after years of football and cycling.
I couldn't do more than 2 lengths freestyle.
But another swimmer last year told me to stop kicking flat out. Use a 2 beat kick rather than 8.
Now I'm up to a mile in around 35 minutes.
Was swimming about 4 miles per week but just started back in the gym so 50/50 now.

Could probably swim in the fast lane but happier in the medium lane with the blue rinse brigade. Lol
 
staffsblue said:
Depends on your age, fitness and weight.
I'm a retired slightly overweight bloke and can do 2km (80 x 25m lengths) in just under an hour. For a mile (64 lengths), that would take me around 48 minutes.
I'm not particularly fast, take a rest to let faster swimmers overtake me, and usually reside in the "medium" speed lane.
Click to expand...
I'm on about 70 x 25m in an hour. Hope to push it to 80 if austerity and extortionate energy costs dosn't force the pool to close.
 
johnnytapia said:
Just my opinion but the best way to improve your technique is go regularly and eventually you’ll find the stroke and breathing that suits you most. I’ve swam pretty much every day for last twenty five years. Took me a couple months but I eventually settled in front crawl, breathe every four strokes and always to the left. Where and when possible I always swim in a lane next to the wall. Always wear goggles. 99% of my propulsion is through arms; I use very little foot kick. I average 45-50 mins per 64 lengths 1 mile).
Outdoor swimming is great but increasingly fraught with the danger of picking up a bug - can of flat coke if you’re swimming somewhere like Sale Water Park.
My gym allows me to swim outdoors any time between 6am and 11pm. It’s expensive (£180 per month) but I go every day, without fail. So get my money’s worth. I love it. And it’s the best mental exercise you can get.
My advice: swim, swim and keep swimming!!!
Click to expand...
Thanks. I agree. The more I swam the better I got.
Taught myself to swim bilaterally 3+3.
I just seemed to have levelled out and would be fascinated to see what improvements I could make with a good swim coach. YouTube videos are slightly overwhelming with the technical aspect of swimming
 
staffsblue said:
Depends on your age, fitness and weight.
I'm a retired slightly overweight bloke and can do 2km (80 x 25m lengths) in just under an hour. For a mile (64 lengths), that would take me around 48 minutes.
I'm not particularly fast, take a rest to let faster swimmers overtake me, and usually reside in the "medium" speed lane.
Click to expand...
Thanks mate. I’m in my 50s, fat (BMI obese) and did it today in 44 mins with 3 x 1 min breaks every 1/4 mile so happy!
 
Anyone got any recommendations for ear plugs or something I tend to get an infection in one ear after swimming and length of time under water, would a cap sort it?
 
Something that I've worked into my exercise routine the last 6 months after picking up a knee injury running. I use swimming as a rest day.

Try to do blocks of 400m at roughly 2min/100m pace, anywhere from 2-4 blocks depending on how the body is feeling.
 
Blue Maverick said:
Anyone got any recommendations for ear plugs or something I tend to get an infection in one ear after swimming and length of time under water, would a cap sort it?
Click to expand...

I use ear plugs, kept getting water in one of my ears and due to consistent tonsillitis I'm prone to infection via the ear canal so I wanted to limit that.

I use some ear plugs from Bollsen:
bollsen.co.uk

#1 Earplugs for Swimming in 2024 | BOLLSEN Watersafe+

Earplugs for swimming, diving, bathing, surfing ✔️ Stay in your ears ✔️ Test winner for best ear plugs for swimming ✔️ Money back guarantee:
bollsen.co.uk bollsen.co.uk

They had good reviews and after about 10 uses so far they've done the job!
 
Blue Maverick said:
Anyone got any recommendations for ear plugs or something I tend to get an infection in one ear after swimming and length of time under water, would a cap sort it?
Click to expand...
My son swims 5/6 times a week for the last 7 years and only recently has started to suffer with constant water blockage and ear infections. Took him to the doctors again last week for another bout of anti biotics and they gave me a number for the hospital where for 20 quid they will make him a custon moulded ear plug. Apparently they put a foam of some sort into your ear that they then turn into an ear plug.
 
willipp said:
My son swims 5/6 times a week for the last 7 years and only recently has started to suffer with constant water blockage and ear infections. Took him to the doctors again last week for another bout of anti biotics and they gave me a number for the hospital where for 20 quid they will make him a custon moulded ear plug. Apparently they put a foam of some sort into your ear that they then turn into an ear plug.
Click to expand...
Any chance I could get that number?
 
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