Pool Training Results

[Crazys13]

Just thought I would share my last nights pool training event. I didn't do anything to serious, but I recently bought a polar heart rate monitor and wanted to see what my HR was doing during various exercises. The HRM works excellent by the way, as long as its tight. I was practicing some dynamic with fins, doing different paces/kicks for about 50m distance. The results were about 75-80 BPM with nice easy kicks, but with any exertion, my heart rate would jump quick to 85-95 BPM. Any advice on avoiding this? Different kicking technique? I also did some statics, and this is the first time I've seen my dive reflex first hand, and it was an amazing experience. I would do my slow easy breath up, bringing my heart rate to between 60-65 BPM, then begin my hold. Within 10-15 seconds my HR was already at 55, within a minute it was kissing 47-49, but I wasn't able to get it lower. For reference pool temp was probably 70-75F. Heres the thing with my dive reflex; Even when I had my HR up to 96-100 (after doing a 1:50" hold) and started another hold shortly after, my rate still drops VERY fast to 48-50, but didn't seem to want to go lower. What I mean is, I can get more profound results, but it doesn't seem to want to go lower than 47. I used to race mountain bikes competitively, but haven't done a whole lot of cardio work in quite a while. Could that be the reason for my HR not going lower?

As another reference, I've been freedive training for maybe 9 months, and my recent best dry static was 3:01".

Thanks for reading guys, and any advice will be welcomed for certain!

Happy diving, John

[cdavis]

Try not doing much in the way of breathup, just get very relaxed. One big breath and exhale passively, then hold. Exhaling helps kick in the reflex. You might try holding to the first contraction, then swim slowly 25 yards or more if it is comfortable. If that doesn't show a lower heart rate, then 47-48 is probably as low as you will go without adding depth. As you practice freediving, you will probably see the reflex strengthen and heart rate drop.

Connor

[amihov]

I know that this is not really a good idea but i know that it works for me. When you are swimming under water try to do slow long kicks with the fins . Try to feel like you are part of the water and in the same time close your eyes . I can do it and my hard reat drops i feel like i am folling a sleep . I am not shure how safe is this i have hit the bottom of the pool cople of times. Any way i always chek where i am going. Again i am not shure if it is safe but it works. When i go diving in the ocean and the weather is calm i always close my eyes on the way down for few seconds (5 to 25 ). And i do similiar thing when i go up but i keep my eyes closed even longer.

[Crazys13]

I will try those techniques. I guess its similar to static where you close your eyes to get more relaxed. It's definitely easier in the ocean because you usually don't have to worry about hitting things, and can just float. I also feel like its tough to kick how I want in the 4 foot deep pole, because my fins end up scraping the floor which isnt very relaxing. Thanks for the info guys!