Fitness Routine and the Power of Variety

Staying fit is important and benefits your swim power but doing the same exercises over and over can get boring.
If you only do one form of exercise then your body becomes accustomed to that exercise. When the body becomes so used to performing one type of movement or exercise it sort of stops responding to it or making any real progress from it. That's why I've started adding some variety to my workouts. Let me explain why it's essential and how it's making a difference.

Avoiding exercise boredom
​Imagine eating your favorite meal every day. At first, it's great but after a while, it becomes less exciting. The same goes for exercise. If you keep doing the same thing, it can become a chore. That's why I've decided to mix things up by including gym sessions in my weekly routine. Recently, I've added quick and intense workouts before my morning swims lessons and it's been a game-changer. Not only do I enjoy it more but I also see improvements in my strength and fitness.

Results and reward
Seeing changes in yourself can be a strong motivator. Feeling healthier, getting fitter or even fitting into old clothes you haven't worn in years can inspire you to keep going. For me, it's the reason I wake up at 4:30 in the morning.
Now, if you're wondering how to improve your swim fitness, it's simple: just keep moving. Whether it's walking briskly for better heart health, doing weight training for muscle growth or practicing yoga for flexibility, all these activities help.
I've personally found that a quick 45 minute workout works well for me. But remember, the key is to find what fits your lifestyle and preferences.

I used to hate going to the gym but now I have made it part of my weekly training.

Challenge yourself
This week, I pushed myself with a tough 45 min set, the '20 to 1 Workout'. Overall this adds up to doing 210 push-ups, 210 shoulder taps, 210 squats, and 210 mountain climbers in one session. It wasn't easy but it was worth it.
The point I'm trying to make is that we all have room to do a bit more. Even a 10 minute walk during your lunch break can make a difference. Building strength and endurance outside of your regular swim lessons will pay off over time.

​Age isn't the issue
I'm always amazed by the dedication of the young swimmers I teach, they engage in various exercises daily. It's not just about age; it's about determination.
So, why not give it a try? Challenge yourself a little more, explore different workouts and see how you can improve. You might find that you enjoy the journey of getting better.

On land workouts help build and strengthen those big important swim muscles.

Where does most power come from when swimming?
Although swimming is an all over body workout, from a technique standpoint 'swimming with power' involves using the major muscles in your shoulders, chest, back and core. These muscles are considered some of the strongest in the body, especially for swimmers, so train and work them so you can generate more power. Use on land training workouts to build strength, power, mobility and flexibility... it will pay off BIG time in the water! 

​Adaptability of your body
Ever wonder how your body gets better at something when you do it consistently? It's pretty cool. But here's the thing... our body gets good at what you do regularly.
If you swim at the same pace all the time, your body gets used to it. That's why some people say, "I've only got one pace." They trained their bodies that way. Another way of looking at it, if you were training for a running race, you wouldn't just walk as your training plan!

​Changing your swim pace
But don't worry, it's never too late to change your swimming pace. You can introduce variety into your training.
To see real improvements, mix in different paces while swimming. Try interval training, which means swimming fast for a short time and then resting. Plan your training sessions and think about long-term goals.

A strong core is a massive advantage in swimming.

You are your training partner
Think of your body as a training partner. It follows your lead. So, if you want to get better at swimming, you need to guide it in the right direction. By trying new things, adding variety to your swim training and staying consistent, you'll start seeing improvements. It's all about challenging yourself, embracing change and watching your swimming skills improve.

In a nutshell, to become a better swimmer, mix things up. Challenge yourself, try different paces and different exercises.
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You've got this!