Bellingham Athletic Club

Distance Swimming

Many of us who use the pool are accustomed to a quick workout – put in a few springs, some IM, a few 200’s, and call it a day. We tend to focus on the variety of activity and intensity of the workout, rather than the duration. But distance is a major factor in the success of your swimming workout! When you focus on building speed alone, you may find that you lack the strength training necessary to maintain that speed for a distance. Distance training can also be incredibly useful in triathlon, open water, or really any kind of race training. To get a maximum return on your workout, it’s best to vary the types of workout you complete through the week. For every spring set you do, put in a quick 300-500 yard freestyle. It can even be helpful to set aside an entire workout dedicated to a mile or two at a time. Remember, in the swimming world, we consider 1650 to be a mile. Here’s a starter distance set to get into the swing of things; remember that as you grow stronger, your workouts should increase in difficulty as well. Challenge yourself this summer; train outdoors, in the pool, go for the strokes and distance you’re not comfortable with! The only way to improve is to test yourself, so get to it!

Warm-Up
1×200 swim
1×200 kick with board
1×200 pull with buoy
1×200 sprint

Main Set
1×400 IM at 90% effort
1×200 freestyle easy
1×500 freestyle build to spring
2×100 choice easy
4×50 freestyle spring

Cool Down
1×300 freestyle cool down pace

Total Yardage: 2600

Rethink the Pool!

What do you normally think of when you hear of resistance training? Maybe using Dumbbells, Barbells, Medicine Balls, Kettlebells, or Weight Stack Machines? What about water? Water can also be used as a form of resistance training! Just ask people who have done Aqua Exercise and Hydro Therapy.

So what type of benefit can you achieve from doing resistance exercise in the water? For starters, water affords you smaller increments of resistance due to the negating of gravity and by the amount of force you put against the water. The slower you move thru the water the less drag and thus the lower amount of resistance. Whereas the faster you move thru the water the more drag and resistance you receive. This allows you to incremental increase or decrease the amount of resistance you receive in any given movement.

Performing movements in the water tend to be smoother and easier on the joints. You also have the benefit of the pressure of the water and the temperature which gives assistance to your lymphatic and circulatory system as well as helping with any inflammation.

Think of a movement that you can perform with one of the standard resistance training tools and you can just about do every single one in the water. Here at BAC, we have a variety of water resistance pieces of equipment that you can utilize in the water. From dumbbells to kickboards, to noodles. Not only can we do traditional type formats that you may be used to with traditional resistance equipment but we can also do the popular HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workouts in the water!

Speedo, with its’ long history of swimwear, is now merchandising their Speedo Fit line of equipment and are teaming up with the professionals at EXOS, a nationally renowned sports performance facility in Tempe AZ, to put together an entire program in the water. YouTube has a number of videos using their products.

If you are interested in seeing how water can fit into your resistance routine please contact one of our personal training staff or check out one of our popular Aqua Aerobics Classes.

Spring Break Family Swims

Spring Break is coming, so make a splash in the pool! We will be offering a few extra Family Swims throughout the week to allow students maximum time to have fun! Check out the schedule below.

Sunday
Family Swim 3:00-5:00 PM
Family Swim 6:00-8:00 PM

Monday
Family Swim 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Family Swim 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Tuesday
Family Swim 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Wednesday
Family Swim 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Family Swim 7:00- 8:30 PM

Thursday
Family Swim 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Friday
Family Swim 3:30 – 5:00 PM

Saturday
Family Swim 3:30 – 5:00 PM

Swimming Special

I am excited to announce that we will be running a special for the month of February! It’s a new year, and many of us adults are trying to get back in shape in time for summer. So, any non-member signups will receive a 3-day pass, which can be used at any time during the month of February. Come try out our facility, drop in and take a class or two, or even just take advantage of our hot tub and sauna! We’re happy to host your kiddos as well! Kids Club costs only $5/hour for guests so don’t be afraid to take advantage of everything we have to offer! We will see you guys in the pool!

Meet Dakota Bernsten

Dakota started working for BAC 1 year ago. She initially got hired in aquatics as a swim instructor and lifeguard. She now also works in kids club and at the front desk. Dakota is an active employee in our group exercise classes, her favorites are Heather’s Insanity and Jeremy’s Bootcamp. When she isn’t at the gym, Dakota spends her days at school at WWU, she’s a communication major. When asked about her favorite part of working at BAC, she said, “My favorite thing about BAC is all the awesome friends I’ve gotten to make.” Thank you Dakota for always being upbeat and having a smile on your face!

Aquatics Challenge

Can you believe that snow has already fallen, and we’re only in November? If the frozen weather outside is driving you to the warm pool, you’re not alone! If you’re looking for a way to kick your workout into high gear, try one of these November Challenge sets! Each set focuses on a different type of workout: Sprint or endurance. One way to think about the difference would be a HIIT class vs marathon training. Either way, you’ll be getting your blood pumping!

Sprint Workout

Warm Up: Choice of stroke :30 Rest
1 x 200 Swim
1 x 200 Kick w/ Board
1 x 200 Pull w/ Buoy
1 x 200 Sprint!
Main Set
16 x 50 All Blast, Best Stroke
·4 x 50 @ 3:00
·4 x 50 @ 2:30
·4 x 50 @ 2:00
·4 x 50 @1:30
Challenge: Repeat 2x, choose different stroke
Cool Down: 1 x 300 Easy choice swim

Distance Workout

Warm Up: Choice of stroke :30 Rest
1 x 200 Swim
1 x 200 Kick w/ Board
1 x 200 Pull w/ Buoy
1 x 200 Sprint!
Main Set
4 x 400 Freestyle build to race pace
·1 x 400 @ 7:00
·1 x 400 @ 7:30
·1 x 400 @ 8:00
·1 x 400 @ 7:00
Challenge: Time yourself on your first 400, see if you can beat it by your final set
Cool Down: 1 x 500 easy choice swim

BAC Swim Team!

There have been lots of changes in the pool this winter, and we are very excited about our newest addition to the aquatics program. We will be welcoming back our BAC Swim Team, and are currently accepting new swimmers! Our program is designed as a learning program, with primary emphasis on teaching swimming as a competitive sport. Swimmers will learn essential swim team skills and improve their technique while swimming off some of that extra energy. We accept any swimmer who has completed a manatee level from our learn to swim program, or anyone who is able to complete the tryout requirements. Swim Team run on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6-7PM, and costs just $55/month for members! Our next session will begin on March 7th. So, are you curious whether your student has what it takes to be a swimmer? Here’s your challenge! If they can do this workout and would like to try more, ask about signups at the front desk!
Swim Team Tryout Workout:
1. Swim 3 lengths (50yds) freestyle with side breathing
2. Swim 3 lengths (50yds) backstroke
3. Swim 3 lengths (50yds) breaststroke
4. Swim 3 lengths (50yds) butterfly
5. Do a flip turn on the wall while swimming freestyle