Physical Training

[NewB]

Hi,

I am extremely new to diving and I am signed up to take my courses begining June 7th. I was wondering if anyone would have any good forms of excersise to prepare for it or could tell me what I am expected to be able to acomplish. I really do not want to get out there and qoute unqoute wuss out. Any help would be greatly apreciated.


Dametric

"Anything that one can dream, another can create"

 

[JamesK]

Swimming. Make sure you are a good swimmer, and can swim atleast 200yds and tread water for 10 minutes.

 

[moxie]

The more comfortable you are in the water, the better you will be at SCUBA diving. IMHO. If you haven't already started, find your closest indoor pool and get in there and swim for 30-60 mins. a day. Alternate your strokes every few laps or so. Even if you are already a good snorkeler, snorkel some laps during your routine. This gets your leg muscles specific to finning used to it and strengthens your jaw muscles so you don't get the jaw fatigue you hear some divers whining about. And you get used to having the mask on your face. Do a few dives to the bottom of the pool. This also gets you used to clearing. You are at 2 atm (almost) at the bottom of most pools, which are 13 ft. or so, making it a realistic exercise. Make this a part of your daily, or at least three times a week, lifetime routine. You will feel and look better. And, hey, if you look good you're a better diver. Enjoy. Moxie

 

[Welshman]

NewB

Moxie's right. You need to be comfortable in the water.

You do not need to be an Olympic athlete. However, a good level of cardiovascular fitness will be an advantage. The training Moxie recommends will help in this regard.

regards

 

[SubMariner]

I would recommend something like cycling (road or mtn... personally I prefer mtn) to cross train. It is good cardio AND it works those quads, which are the key "kick" muscles in your legs.

Mtn biking also helps with upper body strength as well.. nothing like putting it up on your shoulder to cross a stream or steering a good line down the hillside!

Just my $0.02's worth!

~SubMariner~

 

[NewB]

I greatly apreciate all of the advice



"What one can imagine, another can create"

 

[The Chairman]

is required for diving and having fun. I have always been able to dive, and even have some fun. HOWEVER, until I decided to take the NAUI ITC which has some "performance requirements" in it, I never took conditioning seriously. Now that my conditioning has gone from "you got to be kidding" to "keep at it, you are doing fine" I really am able to enjoy diving more. Humping my Hp120s or doubles a half mile or so does not kill me any more... I swim a half mile on Tuesdays and Thursdays (without stopping) and I do cardio/muscle training on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I usually try to dive Friday afternoon, and on the weekends.

 

[art.chick]

Let's not forget back strenghthening; you will be carrying a heavy tank & weight belt, which took me by surprise! You also may be potentially crawling up on the beach/swim step, so some shoulder power could come in handy. According to a diving kinesiologist I know, diving is the midpoint between strenth & cardio; you need some of both.