What are some good swimming exercises?

Question

I do weights, running and boxing regularly. I know how to swim, but I haven't been in the pool for about 8 years. What are some good exercises to start off with.

Answer 1

Start swimming freestyle laps.  After you get comfortable, star kicking and pulling, and for kicking, use a kick board if your pool has one.  If not go buy one they aren't too expensive.  Pulling is pulling your arms but not kicking.  You can use buoys, which you put in between your legs to prevent kicking, but if your pool doesn't supply them, don't bother trying to get one.  After you get used to that, start with some drills.  Try touch and go (that's what I call them).  That is when you send one arm out, keep it there, and send the other handover, touch them together, pull the first arm back, and repeat.  Also do shark fin.  Hold your arm in the up most position in the stroke and hold it for a few seconds while pulling with the other hand and kicking.  Your arm will be in the shape of a sharkfin.  And throughout, try to do more complex strokes in this order: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and finally butterfly.

Answer 2

Just start with a basic freestyle until you get the feel of being back in the water. Don't forget goggles! I am recovering from a stress fracture, and one exercise my PT has me doing is water running. You wear a belt around your waist (it keeps you stable in the water) and you just run as you would on land. The resistance is amazing and it really is quite a workout. If you search the internet for running in water, you'll find some great sources. Good luck!