Newbie exercise in and out of the pool

[Spencermm]

Hi Folks, I am actually a pre-newbie- my first scuba class starts the first of June. I'm trying to do things now that might help me when I start the class. Exercise came to mind and I am looking for tips.
I thought I might get some fins and go to the local pool and practise my underwater swimming. What other exercises would be helpful.
For what it is worth, I'm a little over weight, but I am an avid jogger. I currently run 3X5 miles per week and run the occasional 5k, 10k, and half marathon. To some this may sound pretty good in terms of fitness, and it is to some degree, but jogging is all I do and am pretty unfit at other activities.
Thanks for any tips,
Spencer

 

[jonesbf]

It sounds like you are doing pretty good. I have seen people do fine in class without near your activity level. You'll have to do a pretty long surface swim and a float during your class. I doubt you really need to practice them, but you could try them out in advance and see how you do. I'm a fan of any sort of activity to keep youself in shape. Swimming is great if you want to tone up some of the other muscle groups not necessarily related to your jogging.

 

[scoobadiva]

I would also add some weight training. Build up muscles in arms, legs and back. I've noticed that even though I run 5 miles a day, my endurance is great, but I needed to add some muscle as well to haul all of the darned equipment. I have more stamina, etc.. You don't have to go nuts with it, but a little sure goes a long way....good luck!

 

[Spencermm]

Yeah, I was thinking of doing some work that utilizes the upper quadricap, deltoids, and lats. Also some flexibility work, as I have very little- especially in my upper body, where one might need to reach equipment on one's back.
Thank you both for the feedback.

 

[jbd]

Swimming some laps is good. Teach yourself to go slow and easy. Also swim some laps using nothing but you legs with the fins on. Again just go slow and easy. Spend some time in the deep end of the pool just being one with the water--motionless. You would be surprised how many people will unconsciously fin quite vigorously in an effort to stay afloat. Especially with fins on, this is quite exhausting to leg muscles unaccustomed to this kind of work and may make one prone to getting leg cramps.

Since you are planning on getting the fins, go ahead and get a mask and a plain old snorkel and do some laps breathing through the snorkel. Keep your arms still at your side.

 

[Spencermm]

Sounds like good advice JBD. I am going down to the scuba shop this week to sign up- while I am there I will get the instructor to suggest a mask and snorkel that I can use for what you described as well as use for the class.

 

[Hinalo]

Chiming in to echo scoobadiva's advice to develop strength in upper and mid body musclature and connective tissue. A couple of trips to the gym a week, relatively light weights at first, arms, lats, pecs, back, abs, delts, shoulders, and you might want to do some leg presses while you're at it in case you have to walk out of cold water with all your weights on. Believe me, a recent surf exit at Monterey did not result in disaster for me precisely because I do regular weight workouts.

 

[Spencermm]

Hey Hinalo, hadn't thought about "mid body musclature". I guess your mid section gets put thru all kinds of situations not normally experinced outside of diving.
Good call- thanks.

 

[jbd]

Sounds like good advice JBD. I am going down to the scuba shop this week to sign up- while I am there I will get the instructor to suggest a mask and snorkel that I can use for what you described as well as use for the class.

When selecting a snorkel, go for the fewest bells and whistles possible. You don't need a dry snorkel or even one with a purge valve either. Just a plain old J tube snorkel. The bells and whistles just drive up the purchase price and make the snorkel more cumbersome.

 

[Steve_Dives]

The running will help your leg conditioning. If you swim with fins, try to keep your leg straight if you're doing the swimmers flutter kick. You'll be shown some other kicks in class.