What exercises can I do so I can swim further?

I have a scuba diving course this summer so I need to be able to swim quite a distance. I am a strong swimmer when I'm against a current, but I find long distance swimming difficult.

I need some exercises that will help strengthen the muscles I use for swimming and give me better stamina. These need to be exercises I can do at home.



Also, I cycle a lot. Will that help?



Thanks everyone.

What exercises can I do so I can swim further?
For a PADI Open-Water diver certificate, you have to swim 200m in regular swim gear (sometimes they do a 300m swim in fins/mask/snorkel). 200m is typically 4 complete laps of the pool (down and back 4 times). There is no time limit and no restrictions as to the type of swim stroke you use. The only rule is you are not allowed to stop and rest.



In recreational diving, after being certified, you will not need to swim great distances either. That would be a waste of energy, and therfore air supply, which is generally avoided. Typically, you will take a boat directly to the dive site and descend on, or very near to, your dive spot. Dives are also planned to work with the current as much as possible. Take it slow and relax...after all, you are diving to take in the sights underwater, you don't have to be an Olympian to dive.
Reply:Generally in scuba diving courses, distance is not so much as a problem with swimming long distances, because you use long flippers, and move slowly. In your case, getting a kick board, and kick with flippers for short distance if you can find a pool to use. but while swimming very fast will increase the muscle strength for swimming, to increase endurance, you may want to kick without flippers for a longer distance. Try doing sets of 100 or 200 yards of kicking at a time, and do 5-10 sets before taking a long break. Excersizes at home cannot compare to swimming but you could try lunges, or an excersize where you lie on your back with your hands under your butt, and hold your feet about 6 inches above the ground as long as you can. Do this in sets of 5-10. Biking can help with your endurance, but uses some different muscles.
Reply:just swim alot
Reply:cycling or running long distances should help

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