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 🙏
swimming and C25K: hi all, bit of advice please... - Couch to 5K
swimming and C25K
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'.
Thanks for the advice I’ll carry on then. . I just thought we were advised to do strength and flexibility exercise as we progressed?
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
thanks for reply - gives me confidence it’s worth while. I’ll check out the s and f for sure
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'.
that’s fine - understood - apologies for asking
No apologies are necessary in any way... you are following the C25K programme and are heeding the advice given in How to run c25K...
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 ,
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
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.