Endurance Training?

[Banburyboy.]

I'm currently trying to increase my stamina and endurance levels. Long distance biking, Long distance swimming come to mind. Out of the two say if i were exercising for 1-2hours, which do you believe would offer me the the better results.
Obviusly running will play a huge role in any training, but i'm recovering from shin splints and would like to mix running with 1 of the two(less impact) to try and increase stamina. Any other tips on this subject would great.

Thanks. Ed.

[_chris]

In my experience it is a lot harder to sufficiently test yourself when swimming than running. I swim as part of my routine but only a relitively small amount, more as recovery. In my opinion you would test your CV system more in a long bike ride than in a long swim, but I'm no expert.

[Pvt Doughnut]

Swimming is a fantastic exercise that works just about the whole body. When it comes to testing the endurance you gain ect, its just like you would do for running. Pick a distance and time yourself, then see each time how your time reduces and how much easier it begins to feel.
It does take a while to notice the positive effects that swimming will have on you, but this is alos the case with just about all other sports.

I personally try to swim 3-4 times a week depending how my work schedule is, I try to train for this as I do with running....do a warm up, practices some distance training and then get in some sprint training. It really does work wonders.

Laterz

[KJ-Edwards]

Try creating your own type Bottom Field Endurence Circuit.
I did and i just beast myself for 2hours or so, although it is hard to bring yourself out of your own comfort zone, as you are mre reluctant to give up if you have no-one beasting you. You could get a friend or member of your family to beast you whilst you run, and get them to mix up the endurence a bit, like your own personal Corporal .

I found that this increases my endurence, and just makes my will not to give up stronger.

Hope this helps.

Kyle.

[Alfa]

If it's a choice between long distance cycling or long distance swimming to build up your endurance then I'd choose swimming everytime.

Cycling is only going to work your legs and as mentioned before swimming will work your entire body, it will also increase your lung capacity which will help you out immensely when you start back running.

To be honest though there's no reason you can't do both though, say swim one week then cycle the next. Mixing up your training is a great way to keep your body adapting and growing and keep yourself from getting bored!!

[Pvt Doughnut]

On the topic of boredom....

One thing with swimming is how boring it can become when you're just swimming up and down, length after length. Its important to try and mix it up a bit while in the pool and make it almost 'fun' or you will soon find your motivation drops right down, which in turn affects your progress.

Boredom was the thing which ended my 8 years of competetive swimming as I just couldnt hack the monotomy that came with the training styles of my club.

Have fun with your training and you will see far greater results

Laterz

[Mr_Kiwi]

how the hell can you get bored at a swimming complex!? BIKINIS!!!

on a serious note, try mixing it up by like swimming in your lane and every 10 seconds or so go under and swim into the next lane and pop up then jump over the lane divider and back into yours (assuming you have the little plastic floating lane dividers)

[lodgi]

how the hell can you get bored at a swimming complex!? BIKINIS!!!

on a serious note, try mixing it up by like swimming in your lane and every 10 seconds or so go under and swim into the next lane and pop up then jump over the lane divider and back into yours (assuming you have the little plastic floating lane dividers)

Lol kiwi, that is the most ridiculous piece of advice ive ever heard!

[ali_hire]

Swimming vs cycling?

What do you want to be? An amphibious soldier or a Tour de France winner?

Swimming is one of the best exercises you can do - all-body workout, non-impact, forces you to control your breathing, etc.

Don't discount cycling altogether though, doing hill sprints on your bike will help to build your quads up which you'll need for all the sprinting you're going to be doing.

[KJ-Edwards]

What do you want to be? An amphibious soldier or a Tour de France winner?

Hahaha. Thats one for the books ali_hire.

Kyle (KJ)

[Banburyboy.]

Cheers for the advice lads, I think i'll combine the two(get the best of both) although focus on my swimming.
Thanks for clearing things up.

Ed.

[Mr_Kiwi]

What I ment was if you are getting bored swimming up and down up and down then just muck around for a bit, go for a walk around the complex and check out the ladies, find a kid and push him in, and so on...

[mancuniankid]

Yomping, that will give you plenty of endurance in your legs and upper body.

[Artist]

Yomping, that will give you plenty of endurance in your legs and upper body.

Well said that man!

Swimming is Ok but remember one thing. Your basically floating in the oggin (water) so gravity is not a big factor. As to cycling.......it don't use the same musles in the same way as Yomping or running. So if you want to get fit in order to join the forces then try the running and Yomping. Tis the only way to get your endurance up to spec.

Artist

[E5_Man]

Try creating your own type Bottom Field Endurence Circuit.
I did and i just beast myself for 2hours or so, although it is hard to bring yourself out of your own comfort zone, as you are mre reluctant to give up if you have no-one beasting you. You could get a friend or member of your family to beast you whilst you run, and get them to mix up the endurence a bit, like your own personal Corporal .

I found that this increases my endurence, and just makes my will not to give up stronger.

Hope this helps.

Kyle.

Dont know about a corporal, but the guy up the roads Dog is a savage. When im running he breaks off his leash and i got to go into superman mode and run like the wind. have to jump the fence