Swimming

**Condor** · #1 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 06:23 AM

Recently, my lifting routine has been almost all compound movements...usually with either squats or dead lifts as the first/core exercise, and then something a little less extreme for 4 sets or so, but keeping weight and intensity HIGH. I've been making pretty good gains with this dinosaur approach. However, I will say that the next day, besides being sore as one would expect, I usually feel really drained and almost hungover (minus the headache).

For lack of a better description, I kind of feel like shit on these 'next days'. However, I don't like being idle and usually want to get my blood moving in one way or another. I went for a swim today, and I'll tell ya, it's just what I needed! Nice, easy, low impact exercise-- telling my muscles to move some blood without re-destroying them before they could recover from the previous workout. It was also hot/humid as hell here in the Northeast, so I wrote-off jogging or anything of that nature. That's my story...Anyone else here swim? For fun? For Bodybuilding? Also, any similar experiences on your day after an intense lift of the compounds?

**Dr X** · #2 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 12:03 AM

I'm a fish. Water is almost second nature to me. I love to swim and it's so good for you. Of course waterskiing is better

**Jester** · #3 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 03:33 AM

I prefer floating

**Thunder** · #4 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 12:41 PM

In the summer I hit the pool about eveyday. (back yard) I enjoy the refreshing feeling it gives ya.

**Condor** · #5 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 07:18 AM

Here's a clip of me chilling in the pool actually...Just let me know if you think I should cut or bulk for the summer

**SLICK** · #6 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 05:04 PM

That is the best form of Cardio and full body workout IMO! Better on the joints....and you can seriously do some great things and make some great gains while using swimming or incorporating it into a workout routine! I am a huge believer in it!

As Dr.X has said it comes second nature to him.....I am right there with him.

Also....I cant believe you found a pic of Jester in his pool! CRAZY!!! LMAO!!!

**Pj-Macx** · #7 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008, 07:01 PM

I wish I had access to a pool, I love to swim... and swimming in a pool is the only place I would swim... I am not swimming in the ocean... I am not real fond of being lunch for a passing great white shark...

**Condor** · #8 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 02:06 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys...I don't have a pool either, but it may be time look into some YMCA memberships & the like (hopefully i can find an 'undiscovered' place to swim)

**onemuscledbeagle** · #9 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 05:58 PM

Swimming is awesome especially for those of us who are aged and have years of abusing our joints. I have the option here in the NE to swim at about 15 pools as a good buddy of mine has a company that does swim lessons for kids/adults. In exchange for the hotel pools (both indoor and outdoor) to do his programs, he manages the maintenance on the pools for the hotel.

In my 20's I was a triathlete until I tore a rotator cuff in the right should swimming the crawl stroke. That is when I started hitting the weights harder and the supplements. Now, getting into the pool and adjusting to the buoyancy issues of being 240 rather than 190 is strange but it happens and is an awesome way to take the stress off the joints and really get to work the range of motion of both the legs, chest, back, and arms.

OMB

**ryan400** · #10 (**permalink**) 06-19-2008, 08:41 PM

Swimming kicks my ass, if Dr. X and slick are like fish in water I would say I am like a brick...I can't swim long enough for it to have any cardiovascular benefit...I'm stuck with jogging or the elliptical machine.