I am aware that this is a silly question..?

Question

but, I want to swim for exercise. I only know how to swim "like a frog" as my mom used to say when I was little. I guess it'd be the breaststroke, but not like actual swimmers do it.

Would I look ridiculous swimming laps like this? I can tell it works my arms, abs, and legs, so I'm sure it's doing something beneficial. But I don't want good swimmers to laugh at me.

I'm working on getting swim lessons, but I need to do something in the meantime.

Answer 1

i dont think they will laugh at you. i am a lifeguard, so i see lots of people swim and there are tons tons tons of people who come to swim laps who dont have competitive strokes down. often times about 60% of the people i see swimming laps at the pool (not counting people participating in swim teams) dont swim perfect strokes and its okay.

if you are still nervous about being laughed at try seeing if a friend will go with you. it may make you feel more comfortable being with someone who you know wont care how you swim. plus it makes it more fun!

Answer 2

Who cares what the "good swimmers" think? You're doing it for exercise, not competition! Besides, if you go somewhere like a gym or the Y, most likely people won't even really notice. And if it works your legs, arms, and abs it's probably the best thing for you to do. When you end up with a super toned body, you'll be the one laughing, not them. lol. So do what's best for you!

Answer 3

Want a cheap little book that will help with teaching you the "correct" stroke.  Try the Boy Scouts of America merit badge book for swimming.  I know this sounds a little corny, but it is full of info and costs only about $5.  Remember that any exercise is better then no excercise.  I have taught swimming for years to kids and the first goal is to keep their heads above water and have fun, second is to work on stroke to help them swim further with being less tired.  Get wet and have fun!

Answer 4

No. Go ahead and swim.

Answer 5

why would anyone laugh?

a lot of people do breaststroke at the pool.

it's just another stroke, and it's much less tiring than freestyle, sometimes i wish i could breaststroke better.

when you're starting out, try to get the form correctly (if it's different from what the correct breast stroke is) because that's important.

rather than working out specific body parts, swimming is more of cardio workout (burns fat, strengthens your heart) than any actual training of parts of your body

Answer 6

no one will laugh at you....and breatstroke is a good stroke to practice its a main stroke

Answer 7

y wuld ne1 laugh? ur doing it for exercise, right? then they dont have nething to laugh at. im a breast stroker, and its really good for u. just try working on ur form a bit. that way they cant laugh at all. shows them right to laugh at u. just go for it. u'll improve w/ time. its a great workout, tho. just keep after it.

Answer 8

A lot of people swim like this.  They won't laugh.  I was a good swimmer and a lifeguard at the YMCA for 10 yrs.  The only lap swimmer's that really drew attention to themselves were the ones who wore really small speedo's, and acted like they were olympians.  Some would push off right behind someone and pass them real fast splashing and flailing everywhere

Answer 9

I applaude your efforts to get some sort of cardio.  Real swimmers don't care what you look like.  The only thing you should be concerned about is your health bennies.

Only if you are swimming for speed, like competitively, or for long distance, should you be concerned about your form.  The "worst" swimmers get a better workout because they use all of their muscles.

I got to be very fast using only my arms but that means that my work out has to be longer and faster to get the same cardio bennies of a nube.

I would suggest that you learn the tired swimmers strategies in the event that you get bold enough to swim in the ocean.