I thought i was fit...but then i started swimming and got really out of breath...why is this?

Question

I've never really been swimming properly before but when i went today i got so out of breath and had to keep stopping between lengths. But i thought i was pretty fit as i go jogging and never have any trouble so why am i struggling so much when it comes to swimming?

Answer 1

You use different muscles when you swim, i reccomend swimming instead of jogging because you use a lot more muscles and it gives you *incredible stamina*

Answer 2

If you consider yourself an inexperienced swimmer then you're probably kicking too fast and/or pulling too fast.  As another poster stated, you may not be breathing properly either.  For kicking (freestyle) 3 kicks per armstroke is a good pace.  Your head should be in the water and when you breathe, it should still be in the water because you breathe side to side--not by picking your head out of the water.  If you pick your head out of the water your legs will sink and in turn you will instinctively kick harder to get them to float.  As for the stroke, try to reach as far as you can in front of you before you recover it.  Do all three fo these and then it's just a matter of building endurance while swimming.

Answer 3

Besides fitness level, swimming is a very technique-intensive sport. You can really wear yourself out thrashing around if you have poor technique. I can swim circles around people who are much more fit than I am because I have a very efficient stroke.

Don't feel bad if you were humbed by the water. I've seen marathon runners practically reduced to tears in frustration. Ask a friendly lap swimmer for some help on your stroke.

Answer 4

Swimming is a different kind of endurance than running. You can be a very good runner and get in a pool and be completely out of breath, and likewise for most swimmers. (I am on a swim team and when we have to do dry land some of the fastest swimmers are some of our slowest runners) Don't worry your probably in good shape. If you keep swimming your endurance will improve.

Answer 5

Fitness level for swimming is higher than running or jogging. The most fit people I know are triathletes.

With the different muscles and cardiovascular needs, a runner as yourself is at different fitness level than a swimmer.

A friend of mine once told me a story about swim team when he was in high school. He was a state champ 50y freestyle in boys. The track and basketball guys used to make fun of him and his teammates because they thought swimming was so easy. One day, the basketball and track guys tried to duplicate a swimming workout and were done in less than 10 minutes, they couldn't handle it.

Sorry for the long story, but I hope it answers your question. Good luck with your fitness plans.

Answer 6

It's all in the proper breathing sequence. Not the same pattern at all as with running. You might want to get a few tips from someone at the pool, but if you're in reasonably good shape, it won't take you long to find the proper "rhythm"