Topic: Neck exercises and swimming in cold water.

[Shae Perkins]

Two questions.

1.) I would like to start strengthening my neck for injury prevention purposes. What are some decent exercises I could use? Note that I do not have access to a gym with any sort of crazy neck workout contraption.

Also is there any sort of technique I should observe when strengthening my neck to see that I don't cause any damage?

2.) What are some technique to getting used to swimming in cold water outdoors? So far I have been just diving in and dealing with it, but as the winter progresses it gets worse and worse. Not sure it's even safe to nip that intensely...

[Chris Salvato]

For your first question, have you considered headstands?

For your second question you may want to post on a polar bear club forum or something.  I have no idea how those guys condition for cold water swimming and there is probably going to be a ton of good advice on a forum of people who do it all the time.

[FreeStyleFox]

First Question Try neck bridges as well if you already have some neck strength.  These are like normal back bridges only on your head and no hands...   These can be dangerous if your not careful. 

[Kevin Davies]

For your second question you may want to post on a polar bear club forum or something.  I have no idea how those guys condition for cold water swimming and there is probably going to be a ton of good advice on a forum of people who do it all the time.

Do this or get a nice wetsuit and make sure you have a friend to go with you all the time.  Swimming in cold open water is not something to mess around with.  I have personally seen well conditioned swimmer in 70 degree water overcome by the coldness and have to be rescued by boat.  I have heard of others who didn't have anyone around who just drowned.  Hypothermia can overpower you in a matter of minutes.   

[Meshach]

Cold water causes most people to panic and the heart rate skyrockets, which can cause a heart attack, especially in older individuals.

Keeping your heart rate and breathing under control is very important.

[Shae Perkins]

Thank you for the replys:)

The neck bridges and hanstands sound great!

Cold water causes most people to panic and the heart rate skyrockets, which can cause a heart attack, especially in older individuals.

Keeping your heart rate and breathing under control is very important.

Thank you for that info.

[Jackson Miller]

Thank you for the replys:)

The neck bridges and hanstands sound great!

Thank you for that info.

He said HEADstands but you typed handstands.  You probably just accidentally did that but just making sure you know.

[Shae Perkins]

He said HEADstands but you typed handstands.  You probably just accidentally did that but just making sure you know.

Oh, yes yes, I know.

[Matt Stick]

Well i really know nothing about cold water swimming but recently ive been taking ice baths after conditioning to help recovery. At first i hated it and i would shiver so much that i could hardly breath, but after a while of taking them you build a bit of resistance so you adjust better and can control your breathing. Im sure that swimming is much different but id think that ice baths might help you to control your breathing in extremely cold water. Just a thought 

[Shae Perkins]

Heh, funny you bring that up because I've recently been doing the same thing. It helps me with the initial shock.