Beginner swim workouts
Now that you can swim a mile non-stop

  Click on ZeroTo1mile for a plan if you need one.
There's an explanation of terms at  Swimming Glossary

It's time to do work-outs.  Not only are structured swims required for you to improve, but pure laps become same old very quickly.  I suggest that you:

#1. Bring a friend or two to the pool.
#2. Become familiar with the pace clock.
#3. Have *toys* on hand, mostly for variety, but don't overuse them.  Especially the pull-buoy can easily become a crutch, usually for men with inflexible ankles due either to age or strength achieved through bicycling.
#4. Use a number for the whole work-out when you're making your own.  It's easy to remember if you don't want to bring it with you.

The workouts for the first few months have a similar structure.  They begin with a warm-up, then a main set of intervals and repeats, followed by practicing new strokes and drills.  The warm-up has a purpose in addition to stretching muscles.  You've probably noticed that your third lap is the most taxing. It takes a couple minutes to switch from your anaerobic system to aerobic, when breathing becomes much easier.

WORKOUT #1
2000 yards or meters
Warm-up
500 free, counting strokes, trying to take fewer
Ladder

5x100 (20 second rest)
5x75 (15 second rest)
5x50 (10 second rest)
5x25  (5 second rest)

Backstroke
5x50 swim, kick, drill, swim. Big hip roll.

WORKOUT #2
2000
Warm-up
400 free, with pronounced finish past hip
Pyramid (all with
15 second rests)
4x50  
3x100 
200 
3x100
4x50  
Breaststroke
400 drills, swim, pull, kick 

WORKOUT #3
2000
Warm-up
300 free, bilateral breathing
Descending sets
4x75 (each one 2 seconds faster) 15 second rest
Repeat 3 times
, careful to do the first one slowly
Butterfly
300 mostly drill and kick.
Best drill hands at side, kick head down, kick head up

Swim 4 x 25.
100
one-arm swim.

WORKOUT #4
2000
Warm-up
400, thinking about high elbow
Sprints
4x25 on 30? whatever equals 5 seconds rest
4x25 on 35
or whatever equals 10 secs rest
4x25 on 40
or about 15 seconds rest
100 very hard!
Kick 400
any stroke, with short fins if you have them
Pull very easy 400
any stroke
IM!!!!
4x100 Swim, Kick, Pull, Swim

WORKOUT #5
2000
Warm-up
500, trying slightly different paths for pull
Individual
Medley  
5x100 favorite stroke
5x75
almost favorite
5x50
not so favorite
5x25
really don't like
Worst stroke
250 all drills


Comments? e-mail me
Swimming for exercise
The Adult Learner
Minimal training for a triathlon

50 Swim Workouts
50 Swimmer Drawings and Slideshow
SWIMMING

(New - A Facebook discussion group has been put up
by a swimmer doing the 0-1650 plan. If you would
like to join or begin a discussion please go to FB 0-1650 talk
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