The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.

Workout Plan?

clsCorwinclsCorwin Registered User regular
edited June 2007 in Help / Advice Forum
Alright, so I'm trying to get an exercise plan set up. I'm just trying to tone the muscle I already have, and to shed some of my gut in the process.

Right now I've just been swimming about 15-20 laps a day at the pool in our apartment complex. I'd guess its about 25m each way, so about 50m per lap.

I do not have access to any weights, and getting a membership somewhere is not an option, cuz I'm broke and I hate those places anyways.

I have running shoes and the above mentioned swimming pool.

Stipulations: I live in Modesto, CA. Its been above 100º every day, and will continue to get hotter, so anything but the pool midday is a no go. Getting up early to run doesn't work either, since I'm up at 5:30 for class anyways, and I have a newborn in the house, so my sleep is limited.

Essentially, what should I do to supplement my current swimming regime?

clsCorwin on

Posts

  • FirstComradeStalinFirstComradeStalin Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Swimming can actually work out your entire body if you make sure to vary the strokes. Do breaststrokes, butterfly, and freestyle (not sure if backstroke really does anything more), and you'll get pretty fit. It's great cardio, too.

    FirstComradeStalin on
    Picture1-4.png
  • lordswinglordswing Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Just stick to swimming. Yeah yeah, rumors, etc, but my friend said Michael Phelps doesn't lift any weights, and that guy is ripped. I can believe the no lifting weights part, but man, he's pretty ridiculous, :P

    lordswing on
    D2:LoD East -> *FlipPaulHewitt
  • GlorfindelGlorfindel Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    lordswing wrote: »
    Just stick to swimming. Yeah yeah, rumors, etc, but my friend said Michael Phelps doesn't lift any weights, and that guy is ripped. I can believe the no lifting weights part, but man, he's pretty ridiculous, :P

    he only started lifting weights late last year

    Glorfindel on
  • NickTheNewbieNickTheNewbie Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    You don't need weights to do toning. Pushups are great, and there are billions of ab exercises you can do. I'd also recommend pull ups on every available low hanging surface.

    NickTheNewbie on
  • GlorfindelGlorfindel Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    clsCorwin wrote: »
    Alright, so I'm trying to get an exercise plan set up. I'm just trying to tone the muscle I already have, and to shed some of my gut in the process.

    Right now I've just been swimming about 15-20 laps a day at the pool in our apartment complex. I'd guess its about 25m each way, so about 50m per lap.

    I do not have access to any weights, and getting a membership somewhere is not an option, cuz I'm broke and I hate those places anyways.

    I have running shoes and the above mentioned swimming pool.

    Stipulations: I live in Modesto, CA. Its been above 100º every day, and will continue to get hotter, so anything but the pool midday is a no go. Getting up early to run doesn't work either, since I'm up at 5:30 for class anyways, and I have a newborn in the house, so my sleep is limited.

    Essentially, what should I do to supplement my current swimming regime?

    For a 25 metre pool (shortcourse pool), one lap is 25 metres. So you're doing half a km at the most. Also, butterfly is a pretty hard stroke to do properly if you've never swum properly before, might want to stick to freestyle/backstroke, as essentially they work the same muscle groups. Breastroke, done right, puts a heavy load on your legs and certain muscle groups in your arms, but extends your workout time by a lot.

    Glorfindel on
  • lordswinglordswing Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Glorfindel wrote: »
    lordswing wrote: »
    Just stick to swimming. Yeah yeah, rumors, etc, but my friend said Michael Phelps doesn't lift any weights, and that guy is ripped. I can believe the no lifting weights part, but man, he's pretty ridiculous, :P

    he only started lifting weights late last year

    I don't really follow the swimming scene, but man, I caught one time on ESPN or something, and that guy was just sick. I should really start swimming, since I'm terrible at it. I hear it's good for joints as well, if you have any problem with those.

    lordswing on
    D2:LoD East -> *FlipPaulHewitt
  • AmiguAmigu Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    I'd get a gym membership if in any way possible. It will really help a lot.
    Once I got a gym membership I would try out this program. I've been doing it for a while now and I really like it.

    Amigu on
    BitD PbP Character Volstrom
    QEz1Jw1.png
  • PirateJonPirateJon Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    clsCorwin wrote: »
    Alright, so I'm trying to get an exercise plan set up. I'm just trying to tone the muscle I already have, and to shed some of my gut in the process.

    #1 most important = Fix your diet. the 23 hours a day you spend not working out are far more important to your goals than the 1 hour you do spend working out.

    7 habits of highly effective nutritional programs = http://www.johnberardi.com/articles/nutrition/7habits.htm

    PirateJon on
    all perfectionists are mediocre in their own eyes
  • RevolutionaryRevolutionary Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Just thought I would mention another benefit of swimming: You can continue it to an old age, unlike running.

    You could consider it an 'investment' in fitness.

    Not sure about continuing weights to an old age, but I've seen some old guys at my gym.

    Revolutionary on
  • clsCorwinclsCorwin Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Well, to continue, what is the best way to maximize my swim time? Strokes, etc?

    I know how to freestyle, I've kinda got a half assed butterfly, and a breaststroke.

    clsCorwin on
  • FirstComradeStalinFirstComradeStalin Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    If you want to just swim for a long time, freestyle's your best bet. Breaststroke and especially butterfly can be very exhausting. But if you vary it up, you won't do too bad.

    FirstComradeStalin on
    Picture1-4.png
  • clsCorwinclsCorwin Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    So today I did 1 lap breaststroke, 1 freestyle, and 1 butterfly or backstroke, alternating between the 2. For a total of 7/7/3/3 of each, or a total of 20 laps.

    clsCorwin on
Sign In or Register to comment.