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When it comes to diving it is definitely more difficult when you are less fit. Someone who is obese will need to carry a lot of lead and may not be fit enough to do so. Someone who is thin and muscular will be able to handle more weight easily but won't need to.
I know my enjoyment diving is directly related to my physical fitness level. I was in poor shape for a while and diving got to be too much work to be fun. I got back in shape and suddenly diving was easy again.
I have found for me personally if I can't run 2 consecutive 8 minute miles I am not physically fit enough to dive.
I know my enjoyment diving is directly related to my physical fitness level. I was in poor shape for a while and diving got to be too much work to be fun. I got back in shape and suddenly diving was easy again.
I have found for me personally if I can't run 2 consecutive 8 minute miles I am not physically fit enough to dive.
Blueringocto_73
Banned
Swimming laps, snorkeling, skin diving and free diving are good for increased fitness that translates well to scuba. A competent swimmer. skin diver has a good foundation to build scuba skills on.
halocline
Contributor
While I share your strong interest in fitness, I'm afraid this bar would be far too high for many divers, including some really excellent divers. Running and diving place very different demands on the body.
Personally, I find diving very physically easy and I don't think it requires much fitness. I do find my air consumption improves with increased fitness and overall I just enjoy life more when I'm fit.
I absolutely agree that water-based exercise like swimming is ideal for developing diving fitness. Maybe a bit of weight/core training to help with managing the tanks on land.
lerpy
Contributor
Personally I agree that physical fitness is an important aspect to diving. As it was framed in some recent training, the most important piece of gear you have is yourself. If you are in bad shape and have issues completing tasks, dealing with gear and doing the swims, that can be something that increases your risk factor. As well you can theoretically become a liability to your buddy or team members. Having a physical situation while diving, now puts your buddies in the role of rescuer. We clearly cannot predict when or where a physical situation my occur, but like your other gear, taking steps to keep it serviced and good working order will certainly reduce the possibility.
As a guy that needs to lose some weight and get into better shape, I am trying to stick to my own advice. Going to the gym on a regular basis, getting more cardio and strength, and trying to be better about what I eat. Just as important, I am also trying to do some yoga for flexibility and breathing, as well the aspect of meditation and relaxation. Having a good mental state and awareness is just as important as there can be a lot of mental work involved in diving.
As a guy that needs to lose some weight and get into better shape, I am trying to stick to my own advice. Going to the gym on a regular basis, getting more cardio and strength, and trying to be better about what I eat. Just as important, I am also trying to do some yoga for flexibility and breathing, as well the aspect of meditation and relaxation. Having a good mental state and awareness is just as important as there can be a lot of mental work involved in diving.
I finally got a gym membership and have done 350 yards/320 meters in the pool the last two nights. I'm getting some cardio, working on my kicks, and improving leg strength. I'm doing laps with mask, snorkel, fins, and a kick board. Always get lots of questions on why I'm doing laps with so much gear, and so I get to tell people about diving. 
I feel looser during the day (my hips are very tight) and my frog kick is getting some much needed work. I have sciatica in my left hip and two iffy knees, so pool laps are the best thing for me, per my doctor.
I do moderate weight work at home.
I feel looser during the day (my hips are very tight) and my frog kick is getting some much needed work. I have sciatica in my left hip and two iffy knees, so pool laps are the best thing for me, per my doctor.
I do moderate weight work at home.
2airishuman
Contributor
Usually I go to the gym 10 times a month on average, and lift weights. Makes a big difference in carrying heavy gear on difficult shore entries, and in other aspects of my life.
Better shape = better diving. I don't think there's a particular minimum level of fitness, or a maximum beyond which it doesn't matter any more.
Better shape = better diving. I don't think there's a particular minimum level of fitness, or a maximum beyond which it doesn't matter any more.
dreamdive
Contributor
Let me make a "correction" about one of the statements in this article: " since there is a direct correlation between reduced body fat and a reduced incidence of DCS." A recent study in 2012 and 2013 reports that body fat is not relevant in bubble formation.
Schellart NAM, Vellinga TP, van Dijk FJ, Sterk W - Doppler Bubble Grades After Diving and Relevance of Body Fat
Aviat Space Environ Med 2012; 83 (10): 951-957
Schellart NAM, van Rees TP, van Hulst RA – Body fat does not affect venous bubble formation after air dives of moderate severity: theory and experiment
J Appl Physiol 2013; 114: 602-610
That does not mean that overweight divers should start cheering. There is a direct correlation between fitness and DCS. Fit divers are less prone to DCS than unfit divers.
Claudia
Schellart NAM, Vellinga TP, van Dijk FJ, Sterk W - Doppler Bubble Grades After Diving and Relevance of Body Fat
Aviat Space Environ Med 2012; 83 (10): 951-957
Schellart NAM, van Rees TP, van Hulst RA – Body fat does not affect venous bubble formation after air dives of moderate severity: theory and experiment
J Appl Physiol 2013; 114: 602-610
That does not mean that overweight divers should start cheering. There is a direct correlation between fitness and DCS. Fit divers are less prone to DCS than unfit divers.
Claudia
archer1960
Contributor
Those studies may be true, but DCS and bubble formation in the lab aren't the same thing, so they're not testing the same end point.
dreamdive
Contributor
I totally agree with you. We know that most of us generate bubbles and most of us don't get bent!
However, I am not aware of a study (that considered cofounding variables of fitness and age) that showed that increased body fat leads to DCS. So the statement made in the article is either 'hearsay' or based on a study that I am not familiar with.
Also, those dives were conducted wet and not in a lab. The endpoint, as you correctly stated, was not DCS. However, there are some very prominent scientists that will argue that increased bubble load is also increasing your risk of DCS.
C
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