I think I’m going to take up swimming. I need to get some cardiovascular exercise, and swimming could also give me some definition and tone without being hard on my knees like running would be. As part of Matt’s job, he can get a slight discount on membership at the local YMCA, and I should be able to join as well. I already know how to swim, due to numerous summers at camp.
Does anyone have any thoughts, comments or advice about swimming for exercise?
I used to swim about a mile a day at Riverbank State Park at 145th Street. I love swimming and it’s great exercise, but that pool was just too crowded and too ghetto…I inhaled one too many band-aids and I could wade down the lane faster than some people were paddling, even in the “fast” lane. But I did meet some hot guys in the locker room.
Just don’t ask for a family membership at the Y! And don’t go overboard. I damaged a rotator cuff by swimming about 2 miles a day sooner than I should have. Now I cycle, which is also knee-friendly.
When I was a wee lad, I was sent to the Y for swimming lessons. Naked swimming lessons. I think my parents hoped it would fix whatever was wrong with me. I’m pretty sure it just made it worse! I don’t think there’s naked swimming at the Y anymore.
Swimming for exercise is much better than drowning for exercise (which is what would happen if I tried to combine swimming and exercise).
I swim pretty regularly for exercise (3-4 times per week), having just started back in July of this year. I certainly enjoy it, although in my experience it can take some persistence to get past the breathing issues often faced with strokes like crawl at first.
I tried swimming as part of my exercise routine but I haven’t been able to master the art of pushing myself. I can keep going for plenty of time and/or distance if I try but not really at a pace that I think is doing me any good. Sadly, the only exercise I’ve ever found that forces me into a proper exercise zone is the treadmill. And that’s killer on the knees.