Table of Contents
Introduction
Swimming is a great workout because it’s gentle on your body and easy to do. It can also be really fun! If you’re ready to swim like a pro, here are some ways to get started:
Hold your breath underwater.
When you’re swimming, hold your breath underwater. This is a great way to practice and improve your swimming skills. Hold the breath for as long as you can; it will strengthen your lungs and help get yourself in shape for swimming like a pro!
Also important: when breathing while swimming, remember that it’s actually more efficient to breathe every third stroke instead of every other stroke. Even though this may seem counterintuitive at first glance, if you take into account how much time it takes between one breath and the next (and then multiply that by two), then it becomes clear that taking two breaths per cycle wastes far more time than just taking one long dive under water after each cycle of four strokes on both sides.
Take a deep breath before you jump in the water.
Before your jump, take a deep breath. In through the nose, out through the mouth. It’s that easy!
As you approach the water and begin to dive in, remember to keep your body streamlined and your head streamlined. The more streamlined you are, the faster you’ll go—so don’t forget: breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth!
Rotate your arms to propel yourself forward.
To propel yourself forward without breaking the surface of the water, keep your elbows bent and close to your sides. Your hands should be placed in front of your head so that when you rotate them, their rotation propels you forward.
When rotating your arms, make sure they enter the water straight (not 90 degrees off). If they enter at an angle then they will not be able to bend back as easily and therefore won’t rotate properly. This means that less propulsion will be created by each stroke than if they were entering at a right angle to begin with.
The secret to effective swimming is not just about how hard or fast you move; it’s also about how efficiently you move!
Kick from your hips, not your knees.
The first step to kicking correctly is to understand how you should be kicking.
When you kick, your knees should be bent and your legs should stay at a 90-degree angle with the water. You do not want to stretch out your legs or bend them too much, as this can cause strain on your joints. Instead of bending your knees, think about drawing them up towards your chest and pushing off the bottom of the pool with your toes. This will give you more power and allow you to glide through the water faster than if you were only using one part of each leg (like when people kick by extending their legs all at once).
Flip your feet over so that only the balls of your feet are touching the ground at the end of each stroke.
In addition to the underwater dolphin kick, you should be doing what’s called the “flip turn.” This is a technique that allows you to do two laps in one direction, then reverse and do two laps in the other direction without having to stop and turn around. The way it works is by flipping your feet over so that only the balls of your feet are touching the ground at the end of each stroke. This allows you to use your toes for propulsion and your heels for stability.
The flip turn also helps conserve energy because it reduces friction between your hands and arms on each pass through shallow water (as opposed to going all out with maximum force right away). It also makes breathing easier—with fewer strokes it frees up time at regular intervals so that you can take a breath before continuing on with another lap.
Tuck in your elbows and lift them directly out of the water as you rotate your arm back.
To keep your elbows tight to your body as you rotate, tuck them in at the front of the stroke and then lift them out of the water at the back of each stroke.
- Inhale: Tuck your elbows in and bring them forward until they are near or level with your chest.
- Exhale: Lift both arms vertically out of the water. Straighten your arms completely, keeping them close to your body as they exit from underneath you during this motion.
Avoid swimming on an empty stomach.
It is important to avoid swimming on an empty stomach. Swimming requires energy and you need to have some food in your stomach to maintain this energy level. If you do not eat anything, your muscles will not get the energy they need and can lead to cramping.
Avoid eating large meals before swimming as this may cause discomfort when exercising or during a competition. Instead, try snacking on something small like fruit or crackers about 30 minutes before hitting the pool as it will provide enough time for digestion without causing any gastric distress.
Get out of the water and rest when needed.
Getting out of the pool and resting when you need to is one of the best ways to maintain your energy. It’s also good for your mental health, since it’ll keep you from getting frustrated or annoyed with yourself or other swimmers.
As long as you’re not in a race, there’s no reason you can’t take a break at any point during your swim session. The best way to make sure that happens is by just keeping an eye on how exhausted and/or sore you feel—if it starts getting hard for you to keep going, then take a break!
Swimming is a great workout!
Swimming is an excellent way to get some exercise. Swimmers burn more calories per hour than runners or bikers, and they tend to be more aerobically fit. Swimming also helps build muscle tone, which can help you look better.
If you want to relax and unwind after work, try taking a swim in your local pool instead of heading straight for Netflix. The low-impact nature of swimming makes it easier on your joints than running or cycling, so if you’re worried about falling during a workout routine but still want the benefits of exercise, swimming might be just what you need! You’ll be able to get into shape without putting too much strain on your body or feeling sore afterward.
Conclusion
So many people want to learn how to swim and there are a lot of benefits. You can get fit and healthy at the same time, all while having fun! So what are you waiting for? Get out there and get started on becoming an awesome swimmer today!
