ShapeFit.com

[kimuram]

Hi! I'm new and I just want to say that I love this place! Ok so anyway...

The past six years i've been in "community" that promoted running as the best and only form of cardio. I am definitely not a runner, but I feel like i've been so brainwashed into thinking that all other forms are not as effective. So here's my question.. actually two..

First, if I were to swim (which i'm beginning to love) how would i go about starting a beginner's cardio routine and which stroke is the most effective, if any?

Second, on those days that I talk myself into running (i just hate it so much) what is the proper breathing method? I'm under the suspicion that I'm breathing wrong because i always feel like i'm going to die after only a few minutes (this is since i was in middle school!)

thank you!!

[swanso5]

the best stroke is the one your best at so either freeestyle or backstroke

well ou don't have to run...breathing should relaxed and consistent unless your doing sprints

that being said muscular demand will detrimine what the cardio respiratory system does not the other way around...in that case any activity that gets you breathing heavily, will get you fitter...just because you don't do it continuously for a long time, doesn't mean it;s not doing anything...try skipping for 3mins and see what i mean

[mansoboricua]

any activity that you perform at a sustained elevated heart rate (e.g. 150 <) for 30 mins is a good cardio vascular activity (the time that it takes to get your heart rate elevated doesn't count for your workout time) and like swanso stated, for swiming you should use whatever stroke youre more dominant with.

as far as running. your pace is going to determine how you breath, so you'll need to find a pace that is comfortable and allows for good breathing. the Army's way...if you can talk and run, then youre not running hard enough.
my suggestion, count to three between your breaths. if you can hold a pace while doing this and not breath hard, then thats a good pace.