From Hesitation to Habit: How I Made Swimming Part of My Fitness Routine
Think swimming for fitness is all hassle and no fun? So did this writer—until a dodgy hip, a failed headphone experiment, and a lot of lane envy led to a wet but wonderful 1km milestone. Here’s how to make swimming less of a faff and more of a lifestyle, with expert tips, stats, and plenty of laughs.
“Swimming? Bit of a Mission, Yeah?” – Until It Isn’t
Let’s be honest: swimming seems like a logistical nightmare. It’s cold, chlorinated, and you’ve got to carry more gear than a tradie on Monday morning. But when running gave our author a hip injury and a half-marathon hangover, swimming popped up as the lower-impact hero.
Enter: goggles, swim cap, waterproof headphones (RIP), and a determined-but-underprepared attitude. The goal? Not Olympic gold. Just make it through 40 lengths without crying.
Stats & Swim Goals: What the Experts Say
| Week | Goal or Outcome | Distance Swum | Expert Tip or App Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Get in water, survive chaos of public pool | ~750m (30+ lengths) | Use Apple Watch “Pool Swim” to track progress |
| Week 2 | Try outdoor pool (David Lloyd) | 600m | Mix up strokes, swim intervals – Raj Singh advice |
| Week 3 | Join a swim club, get humbled | ~1.5km with breaks | Effortless Swimming app, aim for 1km+ endurance |
| Week 4 | Complete 1km continuous swim | 1,000m | “Thumb out, pinky in” – Backstroke mantra returns |
Swimming vs Running: The Face-Off
| Category | Running | Swimming | Aussie Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impact on Joints | High (especially post-30!) | Low – physio-approved | Water wins this one hands down |
| Prep Time | Lace up and go | Shower, change, gear, more gear | Swimming’s a production – but worth it |
| Distraction Options | Podcasts, music | Screaming kids, faulty headphones | “Rawdogging” the workout = pure mental clarity |
| Recovery Feeling | Achy, sweaty, sometimes limping | Refreshed, smug, lightly chlorine-scented | Steam room post-swim is the new runner’s high |
Advice From the Pros: For Newbies Like You
Raj Singh (Sandwell Aquatics Club):
- Start with 600m in 30 minutes
- Mix up strokes to avoid injuries
- Use intervals: “50m every 90 seconds”
- Apps: Try MySwimPro, but be warned—it’s £179.99/year
Brenton Ford (Effortless Swimming):
- First big milestone = 1km
- Train with a buddy (even if you can’t talk mid-lap)
- Technique > brute strength
Hackney Aquatics Club:
- Ideal session = 2–2.5km
- Most swimmers there have a comp background
- If you’re not ready, you’ll know it by the warm-up
Fitness Apps Compared: Swim Edition
| App | Annual Price | What You Get | Straya Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| MySwimPro | £179.99 – £199.99 | Swim plans, drills, land workouts | Pricey but pro-level if you’re committed |
| Strava (Free) | £0 / £54.99 (Premium) | Basic tracking, community, some swim tracking | More for runners & cyclists, but works |
| Apple Watch | Device-inclusive | Tracks distance, strokes, time | Surprisingly solid—good for beginners |
Pool Etiquette, Tips, and Realities
- Bring a padlock, magnetic wristband, or a magic 20p coin (depends on pool)
- Weekday swims = fewer cannonballs and more focus
- Clean showers & strong hairdryers = motivation to return
- Always pack a banana. Post-swim hunger is real.
“Some swims are just better than others. A ‘good’ swim is rarely predictable.”
— From Week 4’s 1km milestone reflection
Final Thoughts: One Stroke at a Time
Yes, swimming’s a faff. But it’s also a workout where:
- No one’s yelling at you through headphones
- You don’t overheat
- You can build strength without snapping your hip
And when you hit that first 1km? You’ll float out of the pool feeling smugger than a koala with a hammock.
