Week 4: Ring the changes

Last updated at 15:36, Thursday, 04 March 2010

THIS week I’ve been looking at ways to vary my training, just to keep my interest levels fresh.

While Swimathon is clearly all about being in the pool, that doesn’t mean that all the training has to be.

I’ve hit the Wentworth on a couple of lunch breaks for a swift half-hour swim and was surprised at how quiet the pool can be on a lunch time.

But sometimes, just the thought of having to get wet and dried off again has been enough to put me off.

Swimming at the pool is great on an evening or weekend when you have the time to shower and change nicely but in a rush it can be a bit of a bind.

It struck me that if I was trying hard to get my fitness levels up then I didn’t have to limit myself to doing so in the pool.

So this week I hit the gym to pound the miles and pump iron with the big guys.

After a consultation with the instructor, I opted for a mix of equipment, combining the running machine, rower and cross trainer.
I’m not the biggest fan of the running machine, I tire relatively quickly on it but it certainly does the trick as far as aerobic exercise is concerned.

After a 15 minute run I moved to the rowing machine, which I hoped would help strengthen my arms and legs, whilst also working on my core abdominal muscles.

This machine is less gruelling on the heart and lungs but works vital swimming muscles at the same time and so was a good choice for me.
And my final stint on the aerobic machines, was the cross trainer.

By far my favourite of the three, probably because I find it the easiest!

Twenty minutes of forward and backward air walking was my target and I hit it with the help of Eastenders, which I watched while I trained.

This got me thinking about training the mind. If you’re not concentrating on how hard the exercise is or how much it hurts, you’re more likely to keep going.

This is something I need to transfer to my training in the pool; distract the mind to focus the body.

Meanwhile back at the gym, the next task was to get the muscles working.

Personally I love the resistance machines and get a real buzz from completing “a full set of reps” as they say in the trade.

With arm and leg power an essential part of my swim I chose machines that would work those areas best so biceps, deltoids and quads among others.

I chose to do three reps of ten on each machine before a general overall stretch and cool down.

If you choose to hit the gym like I have, ask an instructor for advice.

The weight and number of reps can change the effect on your body and a qualified instructor will be able to tailor your workout to your personal needs.

My session in the gym was tiring but invigorating at the same time and made a nice change from lengths in the pool.

Anything that gets your heart rate up will help improve fitness so even a simple brisk walk will work wonders.

So to recap, prevent potential boredom by mixing it up and distracting your mind.