I do 1,500 to 2,000 meters, three or four times a week. But I’m self-taught, and I know my technique could be much better if I had some type of workout routine to follow, or something. I see people swimming next to me, and they glide beautifully, while I’m just fighting the stuff and wasting too much energy.
Am I making any sense? Do you have any recommendations or suggestions?
Are you me?!?!
You’ve already nailed it, your technique is slowing you. A day a week in the gym wouldn’t hurt either.
I’d recommend to contact a PT and get some classes. You won’t be able to fix your technique alone as you don’t see yourself and you are unable to notice your mistakes.
Join your local masters so they can coach you.
Daryn said:
Join your local masters so they can coach you.
I somewhat disagree. Some masters teams are only good because the other swimmers give tips, but the coaches are awful.
Daryn said:
Join your local masters so they can coach you.
I somewhat disagree. Some masters teams are only good because the other swimmers give tips, but the coaches are awful.
My masters classes have almost no instruction. Basically just fitness for an hour.
@Reilly
Yep. One club here has a coach that plays on their phone for an hour, then chats to the swimmers they like, or attracted to.
I only went once.
@Reilly
Same. The coach just writes the set on the board and calls it a day. Waste of money and time.
Join a masters swim group with a coach and get stroke correction. Swimming more won’t help much; you need to swim properly.
I used to race when I was a kid, so I have decent swimming technique. But I also struggle a little with breathing when I get beyond a certain distance, so my technique starts to flail a little. When you’re pushing yourself enough to maintain a decent heart rate or pace commensurate with the kind of workout you want (not overdoing it but maintaining a solid aerobic effort) it’s not so easy to maintain a disciplined technique unless you’ve gotten to a point where your fitness is such that you can swim in your style no matter what.
However, if you’re self-taught, then it’s likely you’re in need of improving your technique. Like other things in life where you teach yourself something (i.e., a musical instrument where you pick up some bad habits), you might need to work on proper technique and unlearn some of your bad habits you’ve picked up in your swimming routine. Perhaps wind it back a little and take it slower, working on form and technique, video yourself to see where you need improvement, and continue with your revised technique until you get up to speed.
I’m nearing 50 now, so I’m not the spring chicken I once was. It’s clear I’ve needed to work on my technique to improve my breathing (changing from 3 strokes to 2-3-2 to get more air) and trying to glide more through the water utilizing each stroke and decreasing energy spent on each stroke. Not easy when you’re 100 kgs lol.
If you’re serious about getting faster in any reasonable period of time you need a coach.
Check out Art of Swimming Steven Shaw method videos Lesson 1 (Turn the key to open the door) in The Art of Swimming with the Shaw Method on Vimeo. It’s all about having a relaxed body in the water and making a hydrodynamic shape so you can glide efficiently through the water and move in ways that are easy on your shoulders and not causing neck/back compression.
Also, Swimming Without Stress Blog Archives - Swimming Without Stress and they have short videos on YouTube. They really focus on the mindset of being comfortable and relaxed in the water while maintaining good body positions for easy breathing and movement.
While everyone saying get a coach is right, while you’re doing that, learn to really feel your body in the water. You can feel when something is holding you back and when something else feels better. At least when your technique really leaves something to be desired. Being aware of your body will also help you when your coach starts giving you tips because you’ll feel how their tips are affecting you and if you’re doing it right.
Do you do sets, or just swim endless laps for thousands of meters? The former approach will work better for improving technique than the latter.
Get some 1:1 lessons. Or just accept you’re doing exercise and that’s good enough.
What stroke are you swimming? If it’s front crawl, Google Total Immersion Swimming, Terry Laughlin.
Are you making sure to extend your arms, rotating, and keeping your body horizontal? Those are the most common form issues I see.
Technique improvement will help you much more than following a workout routine.
I would strongly recommend getting some lessons if you can afford them.
Do yourself a favour and get lessons. I swim good distances in the open water but still go to both a coached squad group and 1-1 lessons because (if you are able to pay for it, though the sessions I attend are not expensive) why wouldn’t you just seek the input of an expert?