• O/T Swimming vs Dog Walking

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 1:37 pm**

Having developed a muscle problem in my hips I was advised by my Doctor to go swimming, So I've joined the local pool and as I walk my pooch for an hour each day I thought I was in good general health and it wouldn't be a problem to spend 30 mins in the water twice a week.

How wrong was I, after swimming two lengths I was breathless.

Now I'm no spring chicken and I'd like to know if any of you have been able to overcome this barrier and do I just need to persevere with it?

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 1:39 pm**

It’s a different kind of fitness. Keep at it, get a rhythm and sort out your breathing.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 1:40 pm**

Cycling maybe???

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 1:41 pm**

How was the dog after 2 lengths....

Only joking

keep up the swimming it is excellent exercise, my Eldest Brother has knee problems and at 75 goes swimming 3 times a week he says its working wonders for him.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 1:42 pm**

Pearcey wrote:It’s a different kind of fitness. Keep at it, get a rhythm and sort out your breathing.

That's another problem, my technique is awful.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 1:47 pm**

Have you tried the doggie paddle?

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 1:53 pm**

Keep up the swimming, low impact excercise thats good for all round fitness, if you can afford it, just have a couple of lessons from a coach, or join a swimming club for a month or so just to improve your technique,that will sort out your breathing, that is the main thing, once you learn to breath correctly, you will really enjoy it but dont give up.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 1:54 pm**

I've swum hundreds of miles in my local pools over the past 40+ years (on and off); initially to build up stamina for team games I played and then latterly because it was my main exercise in life. My technique would not please the purists.

Even with all that, if I had a lay off of more than (say) 6 months- it always took a couple of weeks to get back into the swing of it. As already mentioned it's the breathing/rhythm that's the main thing. Start off not bothering too much about speed or distance but just getting used to the rhythm of the actions/timing the breathing, just a length at a time if necessary until it feels comfortable and then build up.
You'll probably find that you reach a point where it all clicks and you can then start looking at increasing speeds/distances.
Good Luck.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 2:04 pm**

Persist. It’s great exercise.

I started going at lunch time a few years ago and was knackered after only a few lengths. Within two months I was doing 1600m a session.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:00 pm**

claretfern wrote:Cycling maybe???

Well that too is an option, but if I cycled to the baths at the moment I'd be too worn out to get home

I was wondering whether or not to get an exercise bike to help with the stamina during the days when I can't get to the pool.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:24 pm**

I'm a rubbish swimmer, self-taught with a dreadful technique that would make a coach laugh like a drain. I walk the dog (or myself) plus some cycling for cardio, the rest is down to weight training (I've had my own equipment for years so I don't need the expense of a gym) and that keeps me toned and in good nick.
I really wish I was a better swimmer as my wife and 3 daughters are all far better than me (all of my girls were better than me at 8).

One thing though, I don't think it helps with weight loss as when my wife does bully me into the pool (usually on holidays and breaks) I see great swimmers who have obviously been at it for years who can't be much under 18 stone.

I decided my attempts at being a swimmer fell badly about a year ago when in a hotel pool somewhere in the midlands I was continually overtaken by a woman in a flowered swimming cap who was (I kid you not) about 80.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:33 pm**

Afternoon icu81b4.

You can trust me on this one - walking wins this battle.

I've had right hip pain on and off for 15 years. It's more inflammation right at the top of the right thigh - so I guess lower hip. Sometimes I need to turn over in bed.

Anyway, I've tried many different exercises and when I do my 5 mile daily walks, I can lie in bed absolutely fine and be pretty much pain free. Swimming didn't seem to help at all.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:35 pm**

Don't forget to to pick up the the sh¡t

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:36 pm**

All exercise lets your body know your not fit to start with, it's just a matter of "keeping at it" and things will get easier I promise you.

Also if you do one activity and then try another don't be surprised that you will get some aches and pains from those different muscles as well you will using...getting back to fitness can be infuriating but just keep at it and you will definitely feel the benefits in the long run.

Swimming must be the best for all round body fitness as not much weight on the joints.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:37 pm**

Jel wrote:Don't forget to to pick up the the sh¡t

....when swimming??!!

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:39 pm**

LeadBelly wrote:I've swum hundreds of miles in my local pools over the past 40+ years (on and off); initially to build up stamina for team games I played and then latterly because it was my main exercise in life. My technique would not please the purists.

Even with all that, if I had a lay off of more than (say) 6 months- it always took a couple of weeks to get back into the swing of it. As already mentioned it's the breathing/rhythm that's the main thing. Start off not bothering too much about speed or distance but just getting used to the rhythm of the actions/timing the breathing, just a length at a time if necessary until it feels comfortable and then build up.
You'll probably find that you reach a point where it all clicks and you can then start looking at increasing speeds/distances.
Good Luck.

with a belly like yours...surely you'd sink!

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:40 pm**

South West Claret. wrote:Swimming must be the best for all round body fitness as not much weight on the joints.

I found that breaststroke was more painful on knees than walking. It's the constant coming together of the joint.
I don't agree that it's one size fits all. It depends on the person. Cycling isn't weight bearing, yet people can get hip pain from cycling. Also, weight bearing helps increase bone density which swimming doesn't offer.

For the OP, I would 100% recommend walking first.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:54 pm**

Im_not_Robbie_Blake wrote:....when swimming??!!

Floaters, beware.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:58 pm**

Jel wrote:Don't forget to to pick up the the sh¡t

This pool must be in Blackburn

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:58 pm**

I have done my right knee 3 times abd doctor schmitgen (spelling) the specialist said I would get arthiritis in it.....out on my e bike the other week and after 35 miles I started getting proper pain....had to cycle back by putting most weifght on my left knee....I hadnt been out much on my bike so maybe more cycling will help but I am now considering swimming....just joined marsden park golf club and for an extra 50 quid can get an activo membership....5 day ticket at marsden plus activo only £510 total for 12 months....( 15 months for golf as neil is doing a special offer for new members....jan,feb march free 2019 then next payment 1st ap 2020....bargain...hoping the golf/swimming/cycling will help my dodgy knee.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:59 pm**

Not a swimmer but it’s Mrs Brokes main exercise. I can get half an hour of breaststroke but am totally goosed after two lengths of crawl. The breathing is the main problem can't find it at all on crawl but have one that works for me on b/stroke.
Keep it up, you’ll get there.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:01 pm**

happyclaret17 wrote:I have done my right knee 3 times abd doctor schmitgen (spelling) the specialist said I would get arthiritis in it.....out on my e bike the other week and after 35 miles I started getting proper pain....had to cycle back by putting most weifght on my left knee....I hadnt been out much on my bike so maybe more cycling will help but I am now considering swimming....just joined marsden park golf club and for an extra 50 quid can get an activo membership....5 day ticket at marsden plus activo only £510 total for 12 months....( 15 months for golf as neil is doing a special offer for new members....jan,feb march free 2019 then next payment 1st ap 2020....bargain...hoping the golf/swimming/cycling will help my dodgy knee.

It's the 'coming together' of the knee joint (when you bend it) which is why it'll hurt. But building your thighs will help with the knee pain as the quads support the knee. Swimming won't do that. So it depends what the target is.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:04 pm**

You will get strange looks but the best way to sort breathing is a snorkel.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:08 pm**

FactualFrank wrote:I found that breaststroke was more painful on knees than walking. It's the constant coming together of the joint.
I don't agree that it's one size fits all. It depends on the person. Cycling isn't weight bearing, yet people can get hip pain from cycling. Also, weight bearing helps increase bone density which swimming doesn't offer.

For the OP, I would 100% recommend walking first.

All right then clever dick... Swimming must be the best for all round body fitness as not much weight on the joints for most people.

Is that exceptable then

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:13 pm**

FactualFrank wrote:It's the 'coming together' of the knee joint (when you bend it) which is why it'll hurt. But building your thighs will help with the knee pain as the quads support the knee. Swimming won't do that. So it depends what the target is.

my target is a pain free knee...its only exercising that bothers me but the day I was out was very cold and it was a 55 mile ride,,,,those last 20 miles were no fun...might just try and get those quads strengthened through cycling and probably put a knee support on to help keep the joint warm.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:14 pm**

Jel wrote:Don't forget to to pick up the the sh¡t

Surely it floats off

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:18 pm**

South West Claret. wrote:All right then clever dick... Swimming must be the best for all round body fitness as not much weight on the joints for most people

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:29 pm**

with a belly like yours...surely you'd sink!

My big 12 string provides the buoyancy I need to stay afloat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t0cvXq3kfc

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 5:46 pm**

FactualFrank wrote:Afternoon icu81b4.

You can trust me on this one - walking wins this battle.

I've had right hip pain on and off for 15 years. It's more inflammation right at the top of the right thigh - so I guess lower hip. Sometimes I need to turn over in bed.

Anyway, I've tried many different exercises and when I do my 5 mile daily walks, I can lie in bed absolutely fine and be pretty much pain free. Swimming didn't seem to help at all.

Cheers for the tip Frank, But I easily walk miles and miles in a week and I thought that was keeping me fit, but once I dipped myself into the pool I realised how badly out of condition I must be.

Anyhoo I've already sunk a years subscription into my local YMCA pool (pardon the pun) So I guess I'll have to keep going, but looking at the advice above it's going to be a slow process before I can give Mark Spitz (or the local pensioners) a challange.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 5:52 pm**

icu81b4 wrote:Cheers for the tip Frank, But I easily walk miles and miles in a week and I thought that was keeping me fit, but once I dipped myself into the pool I realised how badly out of condition I must be.

Anyhoo I've already sunk a years subscription into my local YMCA pool (pardon the pun) So I guess I'll have to keep going, but looking at the advice above it's going to be a slow process before I can give Mark Spitz (or the local pensioners) a challange.

Maybe my hip isn't as bad as I thought it was. I do know that walking has helped me. If your hip is still hurting with all that walking, I doubt swimming will help. But - most things are worth a try. Perhaps try swimming and report back on whether it's helped?

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 5:57 pm**

LeadBelly wrote:My big 12 string provides the buoyancy I need to stay afloat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t0cvXq3kfc

The 12 string must be a Dreadnought !

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 7:59 pm**

Started swimming properly 6 years ago. Couldn’t do a full length of front crawl 1st time. Can do a couple of miles now. Stick with it.
It impresses the ladies when you go to the seaside or Lake District as well
Not so good for weight loss though because it makes me hungry

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:01 pm**

Garnerssoap wrote:Started swimming properly 6 years ago. Couldn’t do a full length of front crawl 1st time. Can do a couple of miles now. Stick with it.
It impresses the ladies when you go to the seaside or Lake District as well
Not so good for weight loss though because it makes me hungry

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:05 pm**

That’s the lass at coniston.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:05 pm**

Garnerssoap wrote:That’s the lass at coniston.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:12 pm**

icu81b4 wrote:Cheers for the tip Frank, But I easily walk miles and miles in a week and I thought that was keeping me fit, but once I dipped myself into the pool I realised how badly out of condition I must be.

Anyhoo I've already sunk a years subscription into my local YMCA pool (pardon the pun) So I guess I'll have to keep going, but looking at the advice above it's going to be a slow process before I can give Mark Spitz (or the local pensioners) a challange.

I hurt my knee playing 5 a side, so I had to lay off my running. I continued cycling on my mountain bike and started swimming. I was disappointed at how quickly I became tired doing the crawl.
I went on YouTube and studied a few sites and now im swimming over a mile freestyle twice a week, back to football and still cycling.
However, its amazing how many calories you burn swimming!

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:17 pm**

Swimming is very boring. Getting out and walking you can't really turn around and teleport yourself back to your living room.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:47 pm**

FactualFrank wrote:Swimming is very boring. Getting out and walking you can't really turn around and teleport yourself back to your living room.

Not only that you can also die from drowning

so be careful now.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:49 pm**

Go swimming with your dog?

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:51 pm**

Rileybobs wrote:Go swimming with your dog?

My dog avoids puddles.... hates getting his paws wet.

Posted: **Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:56 pm**

icu81b4 wrote:My dog avoids puddles.... hates getting his paws wet.

Likewise actually!

O/T Swimming vs Dog Walking

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