Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Struggling to Swim? Good for You - Seriously

Yesterday, as I was swimming my laps, feeling kind of smug as I zoomed past some guy who was really kicking up a storm and getting nowhere, it dawned on me that that guy was probably getting more exercise than I was.  Yes, the guy who was doing 10 laps (maybe fewer) to my 50 was getting more out of his workout than me.  Why? Pretty simple physics, actually.  He's working harder than I am.  Probably 10x harder than I am for every meter.  Sure, I know how to swim well. That's why it can be easy for me.  I don't have to work nearly as hard.  I can cruise through my workout and get out like I just got out of bed (pretty smug, huh?). So, here's my salute. If you are in the pool and you are pushing yourself (struggling perhaps) and you see someone swim smoothly past, just know you are getting as much or more out of your workout as that "good" swimmer.  Unless they are kicking their own butt so they come out fatigued - having worked their cardio and other muscles like you - you're doing more for yourself than they.  Good for you! Seriously!
Posted by isplashdog at Tuesday, January 17, 2012

9 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 19, 2012

    We are installing an inground pool in the very near future. Our first decision is to go with a fiberglass pool or a gunite pool? Advice from all you pool owners would be greatly appreciated. If you have had both types, please indicate in your reply. Thanks!

    Gunite Pools

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  2. kimJanuary 23, 2012

    What a positive way to look at things. ;)
    Btw, what's your preferred water temperature? Now that it's the winter, I even find 84 a bit chilly for me...

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  3. Above Ground PoolMarch 01, 2012

    Very interesting post, thanks for sharing.

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  4. AMLMarch 15, 2012

    some people does not know how to swim and many of my friends want me to teach them how. is there any way to make swimming easy for them? They are not floating they always drowned...

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  5. Swimming JaneMarch 15, 2012

    This is very true. The first time I swam at a pool, I ended up being more tired than my friends who knew how to swim. I was extremely exhausted and was actually sore the next day. After I learned how to swim, I stopped breathing as hard and felt I had more energy to go after finishing.

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  6. Darcy in Northern AlbertaMarch 16, 2012

    That's cool. Sometimes I get so winded especially when I do the front crawl but I sure can feel the burn and I like it. I don't think I do it with a lot of finesse but I try not to think about what others are thinking..

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  7. koleAugust 08, 2012

    Never thought of it that way, very interesting.

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  8. SteveMarch 21, 2014

    What a positive out look on swimming :) Just a tip for every swimmer out there, wet kit bags are great for putting all your wet swim kit in, I've been using them every time I go swimming!

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  9. should you eat before or after you workoutMarch 22, 2014

    hi guy, we must always struggling to swim , it's the most effective for our fitness ,
    interesting post , keep on :)

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