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Swimming: How many lengths to start off with?

20 lengths in a 25-yard pool in half an hour (give or take). Is this a good start?

  • I am a 24 year old male, about 5'7, 137 lbs. I exercise at least four or five days a week in some way, and I eat well. Yesterday, I took advantage of a benefit my company has, which is a natatorium (an indoor, 25-yard pool). After not having swum intensely for at least 10 years, I did 20 lengths across the pool in about half an hour's time, doing the crawl stroke. Is this a good start? Or does it sound like it's too much or too little? I will be swimming again this evening, and hopefully every weekday. I'm really just looking to see how others on here have started and how far along they've come in the time they've been swimming.

  • Answer:

    That sounds like a fine start. I am your same age and about your same size. I have been swimming since February to train for a triathlon. I started out by doing 10 laps (20 lengths) and I am now routinely doing 16 laps. The thing I have struggled with is doing the laps in a row without rest. I started by swimming just one lap at a time and I have built to doing sets of two and three. If you are looking to increase endurance I think multiple laps are important. I also focus on improving my form. Swimming is great exercise and I hope you decide to keep it up. having a pool is great benefit. Good luck!

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I would say I'm a pretty average swimmer, 6' 190lbs, 26 years old. I also exercise about four times a week and I can do about 30-40 lengths in a 50m pool in an hour. Based on that I would try and push yourself to do the same number of lengths in half an hour in a half-size pool. Of course not having swum for a while, 20 lengths is very good start. Try and work it up week by week.

Matt W

that is what only ...10x25= 250 yards...it is an ok warm up but you should do a 400 yard warm up to get the most out of it.

Tim

That sounds like a great start to me! You're doing a lap (50 yards) in 3 minutes. That is very good. Why are you swimming, if you don't mind me asking? Do you want to compete, are you doing it for the health reasons, or just for fun?

Most Argumentative 07

To me, it sounds like an excellant start! I think that the exersize on a regular basis made the difference here. Do you know that most people couldnt swim a 500 free (20 lengths of a 25-yard pool). I am high school swimmer and I can swim the 500 free in under 6 minutes. I have worked hard and long and even harder for that time tho. I am a distance freestyler and that is my specialty. I think that if you just keep swimming back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, you will improve greatly!! Good luck!

Kendall M

You sound really godd for a person who hasen't swam in 10 years. Most people would never be able to do 20 lengths straight. I think that is a great pace, but to get more of a workout, I would beak the lengths down into groups and time yourself so that you can imrove at a quick rate. maybe you should do something like, 10x50s(10 sets of 2 lengths) on maybe a minute 30. you should also try doing some of the other strokes.

ntisme

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