So you’ve decided to take up swimming. Congrats! The water is great, and who knows – maybe you’ll even meet some fish that like to hang out in the pool. But, if you’re looking to get into the habit of laps, how many should you do?
Well, it depends. The rule of thumb for swimming is to do length adjustments every two weeks so that you stay even. That way, you’ll maintain a steady pace and avoid getting bored (boredom is one of the major threats to an active swimming lifestyle).
But how many lengths should you do? That depends on you and your own body size. Just because your brother or cousin can do twenty lengths in a row doesn’t mean you have to. It’s all about finding your pace. If you’re a small person, doing a lot of lengths may cause you to lose time and get frustrated.
If you’re looking to lose some weight, then you may want to cut back a bit. It’s all about finding the right balance. If you’re still unsure, then you may want to consult with a professional — they may be able to advise you on the best schedule for your own personal challenges.
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Counting Lengths
If you want to keep track of your lengths, then you can use small flags or bamboo sticks to mark the boundary of each length. When you reach the end of a given length, you can drop your flag or stick and start again at the beginning.
If there isn’t anyone around to mark the end of a pool for you, then you may have to rely on your own experience. That way, you can be sure that you’re doing the right thing. Once you get the hang of it, though, you’ll be able to tell how far you’ve gone without even looking at the clock. Just keep in mind that a rested muscle is an effective muscle.
Record Keeping
If you’re a very organized person, then you may want to keep track of your lengths using a pool record book. A pool record book is a great way to chart your progress over time. You can use it to keep track of your best times as well as your historical performance. So, if you want to follow the rule of thumb and make sure that you stay even, then you can use a record book to keep track of how many lengths you’ve done in a row. And if you want to be able to mark your historical performance, then you may want to consider investing in a water timer. These devices will automatically time your lengths for you so that you don’t need to worry about missing a beat.
If you want to be able to keep track of your progress, then you can use the distance marker floating in the pool. When you reach a certain length, you can remove the marker and start again at the beginning of the pool. If you forget where you left off, then you can just follow the marker to find the spot where you left off last time.
You can also use a clock with a built-in alarm to remind you to do your lengths. When the alarm goes off, you can get out of bed and get in your pool. This way, you’ll be sure to do your stretches before your workout.
Creating A Routine
If you want to stick to a routine while swimming, then you may want to consider doing the same things every time. This will help you get the most out of any workouts and avoid getting bored. Routine is important because when you do the same thing day in and day out, then it becomes easy to predict how you’ll perform in the future. This will help you prepare for tough workouts and avoid getting discouraged.
For example, you may want to start each workout with a length of sprinting. This will help build up your stamina and get you ready for the day’s activities.
You may also want to do a few laps before your main set to warm up your muscles and get ready for the main set. Another great way to get ready for a swim is by doing some light stretching. This will help prevent injuries and ensure that your muscles are prepared for movement.
When you follow a routine, you’ll find that your performance improves remarkably. If you want to stick to a routine, then you may want to consider doing the following things day in and day out:
- Sprint for twenty meters before every workout.
- Do at least ten lengths before your main set to warm up.
- Stretch for five minutes before every workout.
- Do at least two sets of ten lengths before your main set.
- Do a circuit of your favorite stretches after your workout.
- Rest for ten minutes after your workout.
Now, if you want to mix things up a bit, then you may want to consider doing something different every other week. This way, you’ll continue to keep your muscles stimulated and engaged in your exercise routine.