Substitution for swimming...

[Bobby-bandito]

I am due to begin a 'pre-arduous course' training program on the 23rd as a career step that entails alot of swimming (the program, not so much the course itself) and although we have a pool in-house the access times and usual working times of a lowly sapper are questionable (stupid hours, basically) which means I might not be able to get in to do a swim straight into a gym session or run (which is the case in the program)

I was considering rowing to being another low-impact alternative to swimming however rowing in high frequency has a tendancy to put preassure on the lumbar over time regardless of good technique or not.

The sessions are to be 5xweekly for 30-45 minutes on average just for swimming in the program so would this be considered too much to transfer to rowing? Ideally I need to stick to the program as much as physically possible.

Input appreciated b's and g's...


xxx

additional information that might help -
The CV equipment available to me are stationart bikes, rowers, steppers and treadmills although treadmills are out of the question as I will be running/load marching silly distances regularly on the program anyway.

[comanight2]

What's the stroke and whats the aim?

I remember swimming from triathlon was mostly technique - once you can swim well you just need to make a pace that your swimming fast without going into debt (you know...out working what you can breath), I'd vote for a using all except treadmill - I assume your going to be running round like squaddie anyway! Try split the damage up so that nothing gets done in too much.

[Bobby-bandito]

Any stroke but probably millitary side stroke or breast and the aim is just additional cardio I assume.

[comanight2]

oh right so you dont have some sort of swimming test? cool cool,

Yeah IMO mix it up and move your rate of work around a fair bit

[Bobby-bandito]

Yeah that sounds about right, Although there is no 'offical' swimming test on the course, water based activity is the norm, hint hint...

[Elvis]

it depends on how good you are at swimming, technique can make a huge difference

see here

you'll want to get in the pool a couple of times a week if you are fit, but not great in the water, improving your fitness won't reap the largest rewards