Swimming for moto fitness?

[firerider]

I was wondering if anyone does any swimming to help with on the bike fitness? I cycle alot and do some Mtn biking, but I have seen a few places where riders use swimming to increase the upper body and mid section strength. Any thoughts ???

[cornercamping]

I don't think there are any physical fitness activities that don't help.  I started lifting weights, running, and riding a bike.  I feel alot better from it.   Did it benefit in riding a bike  ???  Sure it did, just won't tell until I go to the track.  I'd say go for it.  

One thing that did seem to really help with endurance is doing lunges.  Seems it really increases balance and stability.  First 3 weeks were hell because I used muscles I didn't even know exsisted, and they weren't too happy about it, but now I can actually tell my balance and stability has changed.   Lunges rock  8)

[Jeff]

I don't, but if I had a pool in my mansion, I probably would.  It's good cardio, and full body exercise, so it should do you quite well.  Not to mention that swimming is a "no-impact" exercise, so those knees will last yet another season.

For the rest of us fat-arses (like me), I have a recumbent bike which I have in front of the big screen.  I try to ride it 30 mins a couple of times per week, but this year I slacked big time.  That made a huge difference.

The other thing I do every day, is have a hand exerciser.  It's a hunk of rubber (rectangle) from a rock-climbing place that I squeeze to keep my hands/forearms in shape.

Other than that, I ride the 450 as much as I can (this is an INCREDIBLE workout), and I bought a hot-tub under the "a pound of cure beats an ounce of prevention" act of 2004.

[ecumike]

Yea, I try to swim at least twice a week, when I can. It's great exercise, as said above, full body - no impact. Also really helps teach you how to breathe and relax.

[MZGirl]

I've recently picked up swimming.  Been swimming 3 times per week to train for a triathlon coming up (this Sunday!).  I've been doing mostly freestlye.  It's not a huge upper body workout, because if you are doing it correctly, you are using your whole body to propel you through the water.  Other strokes may be different, though.  I'm by no means a swimming expert.  After the races this weekend I did notice that my arms were less sore, and during the races I had much bigger lungs.  Swimming definitely increases your lung capacity.

Go for it!   :)

[cstem]

Swimming is great for aerobic capacity and low impact which is great for those with damaged joints (many racer suffer this).  Also as an added side benefit, swimming limbers up muscles and the attachments, increasing flexibility which will help you in a crash.  As far as muscle building, it will build and strenghten muscles used primarily for swimming.  To fix up 'cycle' muscles, bicycling is some of the best you can do as well as use of a stability ball and dumbells to strengthen the core muscles.  Any exercise is better than no exercise!

[EM JAY]

The other thing I do every day, is have a hand exerciser.  It's a hunk of rubber (rectangle) from a rock-climbing place that I squeeze to keep my hands/forearms in shape.

  Another good one for the hands/forearms is.......ah nevermind!! ;D ;D

 Well thats what GSXRMike tells me anyway... :o

[StumpysWife]

I was a distance swimmer in high school.  What I found good about swimming as opposed to other excercise is the mental training for endurance.  It's just you without distraction.  

Heather

[racerxgirl]

Im using swimming for rehab, its a good workout...and i like the groove you can get into, kinda like a meditation, listening to the water and the feeling of the water as you propel yourself forward.
I agree with riding the bike Cstem, and it won't hurt to lift a few weights for the upper body either. Not the 12 ounces at a time either :)

[firerider]

thanks for the info everyone, I do alot of Mtn biking right now, but I was looking for something a little different to do on the off days. Sounds like I will be heading to the pool ;)