swimming and C25K

[MatthewR]

hi all, bit of advice please! I’m going swimming on my days between the c25k jogs - is this enough in terms of strength training for my core? Fells like it is? Any thoughts! Thanks in advance 🙏

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

When you say 'enough'? what do you mean?

There is *NO* requirement to do any core strength work alongside C25K, unless of course you've been advised or instructed by a health professional to swim, or to strengthen your core.

If you're asking if it's ok to swim on your non-C25K days then the answer is 'yes'.

[MatthewR Graduate in reply to John_W]

Thanks for the advice I’ll carry on then. . I just thought we were advised to do strength and flexibility exercise as we progressed?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MatthewR]

We most certainly are... see my last post here... !

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and here too.

healthunlocked.com/strength...

Swimming is a fantastic exercise for strengthening that core...and because it is a non impact exercise, it helps you recover and refresh, even though you are working ! It gets your heart pumping and strengthens those muscles which maybe are not working as hard as your leg ones... ( your upper body and arms !

Well done you... maybe I will see you soon on the S and F site

[MatthewR Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

thanks for reply - gives me confidence it’s worth while. I’ll check out the s and f for sure

[MatthewR Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

really all I meant was if I go swimming once or twice a week would that be something that could be my S and F

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to MatthewR]

For a beginner runner, or someone returning to running after a long absence, I'd say not to overthink C25K and simply focus on doing the running (JOGGING!).

Doing extra stuff is absolutely fine - but there is no *requirement* to do any.

If the perception exists that strength & conditioning work alongside C25K is somehow 'required', then that could be seen, by some who might already be nervous/anxious about starting, as an additional 'barrier to entry'.

[MatthewR Graduate in reply to John_W]

that’s fine - understood - apologies for asking

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MatthewR]

No apologies are necessary in any way... you are following the C25K programme and are heeding the advice given in How to run c25K...

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to MatthewR]

No need to apologise at all!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to John_W]

Unfortunately that is not the case. There is no sense of requirement here at all... just the advice based on the ethos of the forum and the support we offer our runners on running C25K.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

It's certainly a good idea to introduce Strength and Flexibility work for any runner .A lot of running issues are often related to a lack of S&F

A weak core being one of the top of the list .

Have a look at the links provided by Oldfloss

Plenty there to suit everyone ,

[MatthewR Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

thanks for the advice and link - I’ll check it out

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MatthewR]

Please do,

[Martlet76]

I go to the pool once a week and swim 1000m (not fast). I find this acts as a massage and helps my body to recover. Admittedly, what I do is not very intense, bit for me, swimming definitely compliments running.I hope this feedback helps

M76

[MatthewR Graduate in reply to Martlet76]

thanks so much - that does help. My old body certainly needs some recovery too! I go once a week too and I think that it does help with stamina and breathing too.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MatthewR]

It really will! Old body? I bet not as old as this old body!!!🤣