I am 38 years?  Is it too late for me to learn Swimming? I am unable to float, kick & hold breath for 5 meters
608200
Don't worry !!! First you must feel very comfortable in the water - walk, run, jump etc. Next step is contact water with your face. If you feel that everything is all right then you can hold your breath under the water: standing at the wall, with and without float (or another equipment). First start swimming with some equipment (legs, hands) and then start do it without those things. Process of learning  is very difficult to describe and put it down.I can say something more about your movement in the water  if I could see how you move.Some people learns very fast some doesn't want to even put their face into the water. I had all of them and now their can swim :) so don' worry :)
330823
I am in a similar position as you, training for the swim of a triathlon relay even thouugh the run would be my strongest leg.  I can run and run but struggle with the swim.  \n\nI have found the same thing too about others being naturally quick and it is frustrating since I know I should be more able than I am.  What I have learned is that to swim comfortably you have to be really relaxed otherwise you burn out quickly because you lose breath.  You have to keep your head very low in the water, facing the floor and push your torso down into the water.  Try to accelerate your stroke under the water as you pull your arm below you, and keep your elbows high when out of the water.\n\nI don't have any training regimes, for training I just try and go as fast as I can for the race distance without getting my breathing and stroke all messed up.
249645
practice... breathing every 3-5-7-9 strokes.. and back.. and after a while try keping every 7 and than 9 and than you can try 25 m without breathing to see how are you doing.. keep long and smooth strokes.. and rememmber never overdo because it's much worse...it takes some time practice but i'm sure that you can do it
513212
they should learn how to swim as soon as possible, my coach's baby learned how to swim before he was able to walk!  \n\nbut that's learning how to swim, actually swimming as a sport ( competing .. ) you should wait until 5 or 6 and follow a very recreational type of practice, its not very good to overtrain kids at that age, it could hurt their growth, and development in the sport.. \n\nswimming should help the kid with coordination, strength and metabolism, so its very good
319567
before you swim, warm up your lungs by breathing bubbles under the pool and coming up, at least ten times or so. then start swimming long distances. \n\ni had your problem once, and i did the aforementioned action and i can hold my breath longer than before. \n\ngood luck.
194844
Well, since you posted this in the swimming category, I'm assuming you want to be a better swimmer.  I used to swim competitively and I'm only 5'5".  Try stretching to increase your flexibility.  Along with strong kicking (which you can work on by lifting weights), you should be a good competitor.
1047861
I have been on the swim team for a long time and im 3rd in the state at breast stroke, but i still know about freestyle. i usually dont think about how many strokes i take before a breathe. i think if u just do whatever feels comfortable you will have 1 less thing to think about so you go faster. When i first hit the water I'll usually take 4 or 5 strokes before i take a breathe cuz im so pumped up.
1041735
You'll be surprised later from what you've learned.  Never too old to learn more about being "comfortable" in and around water.\nClassmates younger?  Get a friend to join you, or ignore them...they'll adore you for it!  Show no fear, have courage, and you'll be their idol!!
421183
It's not too late.  In swimming I had trouble with Butterfly for a long time because my arms are so much weaker than my legs.  There is a special kind of weight lifting you can do that will REALLY help your butterfly (as well as stroke power in general) and it's called a VASA bench. Butterfly was never my stroke and it was killing my IM (im a backstroker...fyi) They work miracles...the season I started doing it (Junior year of high school) I went from a 1:04 to a 57 in my 100 fly.  YOu can probably find a VASA bench at a high school with a swim team, or maybe a fitness center.  you can also buy them too, they cost around 1000 dollars.
738653
Swimming is a great overall way to get fit, stay fit and is considered a lifetime sport.. for young and old..\n\nIt is low impact and combines Cardio with Muscle soo it targets the entire body not just one area.\nYou can do certan exercises or strokes to target weak areas as well...\n\nIt improves overall health.. for posture I would think it would improve it along with simply being more aware of poor posture.. the added muscel strenght should help.\n\nIf you are about to begin working out and are nto familiar with  swim and swim gear...\n\nI suggest a good pair of silicone goggles like speedos Hydrospecs.. they are durable,, and yet the strapping is easy to use..\nYou might also choose to wear a swim cap if you do not want the chlorine in your hair... Some people even put a deep conditoner on thier hair under the cap to condition the hair while they work out.. just dont take it off in the pool....\n\nFor a beginner... Makes ure you stretch and also warm up slowly in the water and stetch when you are done\n\nKickboards are great for warmups...\n\nGOod Luck\n\nWismom
854878
The depth of the water shouldn't have anything to do w/your swimming ability, your confidence maybe but not how you swim.  Are you doing the crawl, breast stroke or underwater?  If you are swimming underwater, are you diving in or just swimming down from the ledge?  I don't know if this is helping or if I am just asking you questions to consider.
617161
it is never to late to learn anything you want to try! I'm 39 and want to learn to play golf. so, if I'm not to old, then your not either!! i wish you the best of luck!
215834
i am a swimmer myself. Believe me when i say this. It takes a lot of time and energy outta me. The best way to get better at swimming is to first learn the technique of every stroke (freestylye, breastroke, backstroke and butterfly) then just practice. U may wanna join a club with a good coach to start you off. when you learn the technique start out slow making sure that ur technique is even and good. Then speed up but make sure you maintain your technique. If you can go fast without being sloppy and u maintain your technique, you will be a force to be reckoned with. Hope this helps
103071
It's different for everyone.  I don't like the idea of being too forceful, but I also don't like the idea of leaving it completely up to the child.  Some kids will NEVER try if not pushed a bit.  A class would definitely help- sometimes being taught by someone who's not a parent or close relative can speed things along.  People develop at different rates, but generally speaking, a child can easily learn how to swim by the age of 5.
1115531
ok.. the expert swimmer above doesnt know how to kick freestyle\n\nFree kick is supposed to include some knee bending.. \n\nbut to answer your question: how to coordinate.. try this drills\n\nkick on your side, with one arm above your head and one on your side, and switch\n\ndo this for 50 yrds one side 50 the other.. then 25/25 then 12.5/12.5 then 8 kicks/8kicks.. then 6/6.. then 6 kicks one side 3 strokes 6 kicks on the other.. ( 36 drill ) and then start swimming normally\n\nThis progression will help you get used to kicking while doing your stroke and will help on your coordination\n\nI recommend if you want to see a good kick ( with great knee and ankle ondulation ) see Total Immersion, with alex popov
871509
Bruce just live, exercise is part of normal life. if you don't move enough your body will not work well. even going to the toilet is funtioned by good movement. you must find a good motivation, walking, running, cycling, swimming, I am disabled to certain degree 30%, but I try to move as much as possable, walking in the mountains cycling along side a river. I have to go to hospital next week for a knee replacement in the right side, unyet I spent a week looking after a friends dog, in a high mountain, walking, and enjoying fresh air, since I know what movement I have now, I will have the benifit after my operation. you must not let your muscles fail at an early age, you will be worse as you get older. enjoy life, exercise also gets a control on depresion, which if you are not getting out enough, I would say you are suffering with. you will enlarge most muscles and blood supply, which I am sure you know you need to enlarge****
1096835
There is nothing like being late,23 is still tender age.Go for it,don't just strain yourself.I am 39 and am lifting weights.