So, I’ve been thinking about mixing up my workout routine lately. Getting a bit bored with the same old, same old. I’ve been doing a lot of biking, which I love, but I also wanted to give swimming a real shot. They are both cardio, yeah, but feel pretty different.
First off, I started gathering my gear. For biking, that’s pretty straightforward: my bike, helmet, some padded shorts. Done. For swimming, I needed to dig out my old swim trunks, a pair of goggles I think I used once, and a swim cap because, well, I heard it helps. This was a few weeks back when i decide to give it a try.
I hit the local pool a couple times. First day in the water, and man, it felt weird. Kicking my legs, moving my arms, trying to remember how to breathe like a swimmer, not a biker. I felt it everywhere. My shoulders were burning, my core was screaming, and I was gasping for air after just a couple of laps. The water’s resistance really works you over, but in a good way. It’s like low impact training because the water is soft, which means it reduces pressure on the joints.
Then, I did my usual bike ride. This time, with the swimming still fresh in my muscles, it felt different too. I felt it more in my legs, obviously, but also noticed how much easier it was to breathe. Biking felt more like a leg day, while swimming was total body.
I kept at it, alternating between swimming and biking. I noticed some serious progress with swimming. I started getting the hang of the breathing, swimming longer distances without feeling like I was about to keel over. I even started looking up some swimming workouts online, just to get some ideas. Even on days when I didn’t swim, I would just walk for a while. The difference between walking and running is that there is no flight. At least I could say that I was moving, you know?
Here’s what I’ve really taken away from this little experiment:
- Swimming is a full-body workout. No joke. You feel it everywhere, and it builds up endurance like crazy.
- Biking is awesome for your legs and cardio. It’s my go-to for getting outside and enjoying the scenery, but it doesn’t work your upper body like swimming does.
- Both are great for your heart. I read somewhere that they’re good for lowering the chances of getting sick, especially heart disease.
- Mixing them up is the best. I feel stronger, fitter, and less bored with my workouts.
So, if you’re thinking about changing your routine or even just adding something new, give swimming a try. It’s tough, but it’s rewarding. And hey, if you’re already a swimmer, maybe hop on a bike and see how that feels. It’s all about finding what works for you and keeps you moving. I feel like swimming is now a popular activity for me to relax.
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