I sink like a stone :(

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » I sink like a stone :( Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2004-12-22 3:43 PM

Member
184
100252525
Chicago, IL
Subject: I sink like a stone :(
I was going through drills and noticed one thing, I used to lay back motionless and float on the water. Now I try the same thing but my legs sink like they were made of stone! I tried 30 minutes today in the pool but without giving them a kick I can not float. What is wrong with me? My upper body floats good. Somebody told me this could be due to lack of fat in my legs? IS this true?


2004-12-22 3:56 PM
in reply to: #95324

User image

Elite Veteran
970
5001001001001002525
Smyrna, Georgia
Subject: RE: I sink like a stone :(

*oops* I think I misread your question.  I suppose if you're just talking about floating then lack of body fat could explain your problem.  Or, maybe you're holding your head to high in the water and sending your legs downward.  If you're having trouble with sinking legs while you swim, read on ...

It sounds like you're having trouble balancing in the water.  If you're laying face down in the water, your upper chest is kind of like a fulcrum point for your body.  Whenever you feel your legs sinking, you need to press your upper chest down in the water.  Your head will go down some and your butt and legs will come up.  Total Immersion refers to this as "pressing your buoy."  Also, when you turn to the side to breathe, be careful that you are rolling your body to the side from your hips, pulling your head along with it.  If you lift your head to breathe, that will send your legs downward.

Try swimming a few lengths without using your arms (just keep them at your sides and lift your head up out of the water to breathe) and see if you can get a better handle on your balance.  If you can pick up a copy of Total Immersion, it has some other good drills to help you get your balance.



Edited by Whit 2004-12-22 3:58 PM
2004-12-22 4:06 PM
in reply to: #95324

User image

Extreme Veteran
458
1001001001002525
Denver, CO
Subject: RE: I sink like a stone :(
Darn, guess it must be those rock-hard legs. You won't get too much sympathy from us "floaters!"
2004-12-22 4:17 PM
in reply to: #95324

User image

Elite
4344
2000200010010010025
Subject: RE: I sink like a stone :(

My legs sink too, unless I am in the ocean.  Its normal for skinny guys.

TW 

2004-12-22 4:33 PM
in reply to: #95334

Member
184
100252525
Chicago, IL
Subject: RE: I sink like a stone :(
I 5 10 and weight 165. thats not skinny
2004-12-22 4:41 PM
in reply to: #95324

User image

Elite
4344
2000200010010010025
Subject: RE: I sink like a stone :(

Sorry.  No offense intended.  You're skinny relative to average of the population.  I am 5'8" and 154.  On an absolute scale you're about right except for floating.  I always hated the floating requirement for lifesaving and other swimming classes.

TW

2004-12-22 4:52 PM
in reply to: #95324

User image

Pro
4206
20002000100100
Los Angeles, CA
Subject: RE: I sink like a stone :(
I used to have the same problem, but some people here told me that if you push down on your chest in the water, it will force your "skinny" legs upward.

It seems to work for me, except when I'm doing freestyle, if I am tired, I tend to forget to do it, until my arms get so tired of dragging the anchor in the back, the tiredness reminds me to push down up front.
2004-12-22 8:49 PM
in reply to: #95324

User image

Master
1791
1000500100100252525
Raleigh, North Carolina
Subject: RE: I sink like a stone :(
Keep the ol head down in the water - that'll bring them up. Also, its kind of like riding a bike - as long as you are moving forward, you don't have problems. The moment you stop, you fall or in this case sink.

Very common for those with low amounts of body fat in the leg area to sink.

Edited by jkbostic 2004-12-22 8:52 PM
2004-12-22 9:08 PM
in reply to: #95324

User image

Extreme Veteran
391
100100100252525
Singapore
Subject: RE: I sink like a stone :(

So....I conclude I'm VERY SKINNNY.....5'9  145 lbs. =p

ANd thus I'm glad I sink too.....now....if I float....that'll be REALLY bad news......i'm all fats! yikes....

2004-12-22 10:09 PM
in reply to: #95406

Member
184
100252525
Chicago, IL
Subject: RE: I sink like a stone :(
Actually with that weight and height if you have floated...
You wouldn't be all, FATS, you would be a dead.
2004-12-23 12:15 AM
in reply to: #95341

User image

Pro
3870
200010005001001001002525
Virginia Beach, VA
Subject: RE: I sink like a stone :(
I'd consider that skinny. But floating isn't about being skinny or not, it's more about how lean you are. I know skinny people who aren't lean because they don't exercise at all...and they probably float. I'm 5'9" ~175 but I'm fairly lean and I sink faster than a rock unless I'm moving. If my legs aren't kicking at least a little they slowly pull my entire body under.

aliengin - 2004-12-22 4:33 PM

I 5 10 and weight 165. thats not skinny


2004-12-23 2:21 AM
in reply to: #95324

User image

Subject: RE: I sink like a stone :(
I second the put your head down advice.

Red cross taught swimmers will typically swim with the water line hitting their forehead while a TI swimmer will swim with just the back of their head out.

Push the chest down and the legs will raise.
2004-12-23 12:29 PM
in reply to: #95324

User image

Lethbridge, Alberta
Bronze member
Subject: RE: I sink like a stone :(
Waaay back when I was young, I once had a very physically demanding job in a very hot environment. (They had salt pill dispensers on the lunchroom wall.) Back then, if I stopped moving in the deep end of a pool I would sink directly to the bottom and stay there, even walk around. These days I sit at a desk and in the pool I float. If you're sinking, congratulations , be thankful and work on your technique.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » I sink like a stone :( Rss Feed