Swimming to get into shape

LargeSide

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Swimming is a great way to get and maintain being toned. Like others have said before before, weight training is also needed in order to gain mass, but swimming in itself is a great workout. Speedo is a great brand for both swimwear and accessories. Srdude007 has it right, Speedo Vanquisher is definitely my top recommendation for goggles. along with Speedo, TYR makes a nice long-lasting suit. I typically wear a brief style or the jammer style, but I also like the square-cut. Of course, for just a general workout any type of suit could work, doesn't need to be skin tight.

I would try to learn each of the different strokes (Freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, breast) and switch it up. Once you are comfortable with those, you can maybe thrown in fins (http://www.poolandspa.com/catalog/images/s-640.jpg), kick boards (http://www.srsport.com/images/products/SO7530318.jpg), pull buoys (http://www.goswim.tv/system/uploads/Image/pullbuoys.jpg), and maybe even swim paddles (http://www.swimoutlet.com/photos/22381-2T.jpg). These can be expensive. I don't know about the pool you will be swimming at, but at mine they have these items for patron use. Using this in combination with the strokes can provide you with a great work out and enable you to focus on certain areas.
 

TheRob

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My definition of in shaped would be "toned" for lack of a better word, muscular definition but not rigid (washboard abs). Essential I guess I would like to look like Brad Pitt in Fight Club, but with more body fat. I hope that makes sense. I currently weight 196.

great I think I can help

basically when you first start real training you have a period of newbie gains, where basically anything you do works. You can build muscle and burn fat (bulking and cutting) at basically the same time.
That's not important let me keep this relativly short and simple.

bodyweight x 10 as your calories to start
(that's per day)
You will initiaially gain some muscle mass which will counterbalance the loss of bodyfat so don't fret for the first month or so about the scale
but basically check your weight weekly, and when your weight has dropped by 5 lbs, readjust your calories
in otherwords you are 196 right now so 196x10 is 1,960 calories a day.
Check your weight lets say when you wake up every Wednessday Morning.
when you are 191 (or you an round to like 190) then from that week on use 190x10 as your calories that's 1,900.
If you find you go a month without your weight decreasing you will need to either increase your activity or decrase your calories
I use a method something like this but I have a cheat day (On Wednessday I eat whatever the hell I want and don't even look at calories) I've been trimming down pretty well
I am less active in general tho, and I use a lower multiplier for my calories but it's been working great
 

TheRob

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oh and what kind of calisthenics are you doing
when you say pushups and situps and pullups like how many reps/sets etc
 

Blorkin

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oh and what kind of calisthenics are you doing
when you say pushups and situps and pullups like how many reps/sets etc

I just do as many as I can, usually 3 sets then I have to shower and get ready for class. These numbers change constantly and days are not always consistent
Pull-up: 3,5,4
Sit-up: I really have no idea depends on time and how many I did the day prior but max is around 50-60 usually I do something like 28,20,37,17
Push up: essentially the same a sit-ups but less reps max is around 35-40 max
 

CowboyJosh

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swimming is great cardio, but so is the StairMaster. You need a well rounded exercise plan that incorporates several forms of cardio, from walking / running, swimming, stair master, etc. Also do some light weight lifting to build lean muscle. Most of all watch your diet....closely.