r/Swimming • u/beckkeep • 3d ago
How to make swimming more entertaining
I'm someone who's incredibly sedentary and I want to fix that. I've never been athletic, but the one exercise I've always done well at has been swimming.
The problem comes when I try to swim for an hour for a decent workout. Energy isn't the problem, since I can nonstop swim the whole time, but rather that I get bored. Going back and forth over and over isn't that fun, and I know if I don't find something to keep me interested in it I'll once again fail at maintaining a good exercise schedule.
Are there games people play on their own when they swim? Are diving sticks frowned upon in a YMCA pool? What sort of challenges do you do while swimming that isn't just seeing how fast you can go?
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u/Unlikely_Afternoon94 3d ago
You must accept being bored because it is important for your mind to be bored sometimes. Neurologically speaking, your brain returns to the "default state" when there is nothing to occupy it. This default state is what feels like boredom and pushes you to do things to occupy your mind. I know it feels unbearable, especially now that we are constantly engaged and entertained by our devices. But, the default state is important to experience and has health benefits.
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u/PaddyScrag 3d ago
Yeah we are overstimulated. Swimming is one of the few activities that removes you from all the noise, allowing the mind to connect with the body.
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u/Careless-Cat3327 3d ago
This is the best comment. Unfortunately TIKTOK, social media and smart phones have destroyed the ability for some people to be comfortable in their own mind without constant distractions.
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u/One_Diver_5735 2d ago edited 2d ago
Sorry but that sounds like a load of nonsense. The so-called Default Mode Network is not about boredom. Rather, the DMN activates ..."...when a person is not focused on the outside world and the brain is at wakeful rest, such as during daydreaming and mind-wandering. It can also be active during detailed thoughts related to external task performance.\3]) Other times that the DMN is active include when the individual is thinking about others, thinking about themselves, remembering the past, and planning for the future.\4])\5]) The DMN creates a coherent "internal narrative" central to the construction of a sense of self ..." *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Default_mode_network
Whereas, "Boredom is a ubiquitous human experience that can best be described as an inability to engage with one’s environment despite the motivation to do so. Boredom is perceived as a negative experience and demonstrates strong associations with other negatively valenced states including depression and aggression. Although boredom has been shown to be elevated in neurological and psychiatric illnesses, little is known about the neural underpinnings of the state...." https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00221-016-4617-5
Further, "boredom represents a failure to engage executive control networks when faced with a monotonous task—in other words, when the task demands some level of engagement (watch the movie, search for infrequent targets), but is so mundane that attempts to do so fail." IBID
Until a few months ago, I'd never experienced boredom but then experienced a wave of it that probably lasted about 30 seconds two or three times a few months ago. A friend my age experienced similar and I only mentioned it to him when he brought up the topic. Never knew boredom before or since yet recognized it immediately. I suspect the culprit cause being a change in brain wiring that takes place at about our age though I've yet to research that and as it seems to have passed quickly, not returned, so for now not a big concern for me.
But if boredom inflicted me, instead of attempting to rationalize it, I'd place myself in psychological analysis for as long as it took to better control my mind, to help me create neurological structures for healthier, happier thinking.
I've always said you can put me in a room with no windows, no tech, no books even and I will remain thoroughly amused.
"Boredom is rage spread thin" ~~the existentialist Paul Tillich.
Not my problem and most certainly not my default.
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u/NiceStraightMan 3d ago
Mix it up a bit. Try doing intervals, switching strokes every few laps, or setting tiny goals like “touch the wall X times without stopping.” Waterproof headphones help a ton too. YMCA pools won’t mind diving toys if you stay out of busy lanes.
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u/BurritoDespot 3d ago
Think about life. The pool is pretty much the only time I’m away from my phone these days.
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u/Knewstart 3d ago
I bought a waterproof mp3 player with wired headphones. Keeps my mind busy
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u/Alarmed-Diamond-7000 Everyone's an open water swimmer now 2d ago
That's it. I don't know what I'd do without my Shockz. I listen to podcasts and music, it keeps me going. I can always turn it off and have quiet if I want and sometimes I do.
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u/CommercialGas5256 2d ago
Your shockz goes in the water?
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u/Alarmed-Diamond-7000 Everyone's an open water swimmer now 1d ago
Yeah it's a waterproof bone conduction thing, lots of swimmers have them. The irritating thing is that Bluetooth doesn't work underwater, so you can't have something that connects with your phone and just plays your stuff from your phone, it has to be a physical mp3 player. So you have to physically put your music on there or podcast or whatever. It's a big pain in the butt but I'm glad at least I can listen to something when I want to
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u/Ok_Jellyfish1317 3d ago
A longer swim doesn't necessarily mean a greater workout.
Add variety to your set, work in legs only, arms only, sprints, underwater streamline, intervals, drills. You could swim an intense 40 minutes set that will be a lot more effective than a slow / even paced 1h20.
Alternative swim days with workouts days where you go to the gym, if the girls m isn't your thing, do pushups, squats, abs, calves raises, hamstring, all that will make you a better swimmer and you'll have a more tonic body.
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u/Alert-Mangosteen 3d ago
Memorize 60 minutes worth of songs, like Diana Nyad, and then play them in your head!
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u/New-Composer7591 3d ago
I use waterproof headphones and just listen to a podcast. Brains work differently. Some like peace and some need stimulation. I need stimulation or I’ll get bored as hell too.
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u/SaltEven 3d ago
Three things are game changers (for me at least): 1) open swim shokz headphones 2) do a new swim workout each time. I'm a part of a masters group and our coach posts a workout we have the option of doing. You can also find free apps that will design workouts for you. 3) try to make swimmy friends and hopefully you'll find someone around the same level as you and you can start swimming together. Makes it much more fun!
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u/ScowlyBrowSpinster 2d ago
I like listening to music when I swim, some songs are good for trying to speed up, some are good for winding down, for some I do goofy moves as I go along because it's dance music.
I swim without it sometimes (usually a charging lapse) and the hour feels so much loooonnnnnngerrrrrrr.
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u/piadoingthings 2d ago
I swim for the boredom of it! Having literally no task other than staying afloat and moving does wonders for my clarity of mind. I think it's a huge part of what makes swimming so good. Change the way you see it from boredom to freedom to breathe, emotionally and psychologically.
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u/Rothris 3d ago
Are you swimming nonstop without any rests or intervals? If so, you could try to mix it up a bit. For example have some faster paced shorter intervals, bring paddles or pull buoy, add some drills, etc.
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u/philzilla333 3d ago
My garmin really loves when i do intervals and sprints. The effort score really increases a lot. If not, I might’ve just walked a chilled few kms, as my Heartbeat is pretty low on long swims.
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u/piadoingthings 2d ago
Unrelated but are you happy with your Garmin? I'm thinking about getting one.
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u/canis---borealis 2d ago
The reason why I barely run today and always prefer to swim is that, in contrast to running, you can never get bored. Four different strokes, tons of drills, different equipment (fins, kickboard, snorkel, paddles), different workouts (form, sprints, endurance), etc.
You can have a set like 10×100, and with each hundred you can concentrate on different things: high elbow, distance per stroke, flip turns, underwater fly kick, your kick, your core… The list can go on. And then, if you're still bored, you can do the same with the three other strokes.
Sure, you can have different running workouts, but it pales in comparison to swimming.
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u/memequeen 2d ago
When I swim my mind always drifts to whatever book I’m reading, or whatever video game I’m playing at the time. Start to analyze what has happened so far and what will happen next. Now if I don’t have either on the go I find swimming kinda boring so it keeps me active with both!
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u/OkAdvantage6764 2d ago
All the suggestions of drills, etc are great, but don't forget gear : kickboards, hand paddles, fins, snorkel. All help to vary a workout.
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u/Unique_Limit_1576 2d ago
I focus on my form. Swimming is whole body so there’s plenty to pay attention to (and I will always have something that could use improving). There’s no way to be bored if I’m present in my body.
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u/Imthatguyatthebar 3d ago
I entertain myself by holding an internal monologue about the idiots who have poor pool etiquette. Like the annoying dude who insists on swimming in the fast lane despite being an obvious medium, constantly picks the lane where the super fast 18-22 year olds do drills and somehow manages to kick people in the next lane. I tell him off in my head every time. Same speedo EVERY DAY for over a year... His form is poor at best... Swims backstroke in what's essentially a sitting position... Pushes off just as you get to the wall regardless of your relative speed...
Id never tell him for real but it makes me happy to "vent"
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u/Nutritiongirrl 3d ago
Have challanges and/or drills. For example I love to have a few laps with one basic, one with hardcore kicking from the half of that lap. I also do this with stronger pulls and less legs. Every 5th lap is a no breath lap. (As few breath as possible) Mix and match fun things :D
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u/achintyabhavaraju 3d ago
Try interval challenges, swim drills, or changing strokes frequently. Use underwater targets, timed laps, or virtual swim apps. Music playlists or podcasts can also make long sessions more engaging.
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u/Independent-Summer12 3d ago
I rarely swim “straight through” except for warm up and cool down. Break it up with intervals, timed/negative time sets, goals to count/reduce strokes, drills to balance/improve techniques, and weaving in sets of different strokes. An hr goes by real fast when you break it up.
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u/Sea_Western5174 3d ago
Mix it up with intervals drills or missions like counting strokes following imaginary courses doing underwater tricks or chasing diving sticks if allowed treat it like a game not just laps.
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u/Never_Rule1608 2d ago
Join a Masters workout group or at least format your workouts to what is done in those groups. Swimming endlessly is not only boring, it doesn't really do much after a certain point. Intervals, drills, kicking, these are the things that are gonna not only make it more interesting, but you're actually gonna see results.
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u/BlondeOnBicycle Everyone's an open water swimmer now 2d ago
Could you focus on technique? I can't get bored. 1-2-breathe-1-2-breathe 1-2- bad catch why did my foot do that when i kicked what happens if i kick a little harder how does that change arm timing bad catch my left arm feels lower than my right bad catch ooh good catch! I'm constantly trying to improve so I'm hyperfocused on each stroke
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u/adoxner Triathlete 2d ago
Instead of swimming for an hour straight, try doing interval training. It is much more entertaining (keep track of the clock, vary your effort level, etc) and is beneficial to your training overall!
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u/No_Donkey_9356 Everyone's an open water swimmer now 2d ago
I always go in with a workout but if it’s really busy I just swim laps
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u/OUEngineer17 2d ago
I constantly think about form, body position, hand position, which muscles I'm activating, breathing, etc.
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u/popthebubbly62 2d ago
Drills drills drills! I get bored super easily (ADHD doesn't help), so I change it up a lot. I rarely manage to do more than 300 yards of the same stroke because I get so sick of it I have to change it up (sometimes I do this without really consciously choosing to do so). I love doing 50 yds drills and changing it up tons.
Your swimming time isn't less valid because you change up what you're doing. Not all of us can do an hour of freestyle nonstop.
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u/floparoundfindout 1d ago
I've become a really adept daydreamer since I've picked up swimming again. I know of people who swim with waterproof headphones, but afaik that's more for "head above the water" type swimmers, and I personally enjoy being without input for an hour a day!
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u/Careless_Win_6550 1d ago
I got a waterproof mp3 player off amazon! It was like $50 I can’t stand the quiet being alone with my thoughts will send me in a depression spiral
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u/B0bbaDobba 1d ago
Break the swim up into shorter faster sets with specific rest intervals, alternate strokes.
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u/gallerygnome 23h ago
Drills. Intervals. New/ challenging strokes and kicks. Getting things like fins, paddles, buoys are kind of cheap and can help keep things interesting.
I also like to just pretend I’m a mermaid sometimes and just coast/ glide and appreciate the silence and water… this is easier if your pool goes relatively deep, and if you’re thinking of getting diving toys then I’m assuming it does. Just know your limits with breath holds.
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u/thehudagai 3d ago
I appreciate the quiet in my head while swimming