Expert Tips to Make Swimming NOT Suck
Have you ever tried to up your swimming game, only to go to the pool and find that swimming laps are NO FUN?
Our partner, Swim Like A. Fish, has some tips to make swimming more enjoyable.
Abbie Fish is the founder of Swim Like A. Fish, a swimming brand aimed at helping swimmers and swim coaches get better through online resources. Abbie has spent decades at the pool - both as a swimmer and a swim coach.
Here are four tips that Abbie uses that has helped her make swimming more enjoyable even after years these years.
Tip #1: Learn to Breathe
Whenever I hear from people trying to become better swimmers, I get comments like:
"I feel like I can't catch my breath," or
"Every time I get some speed, I feel the urge to breathe, and then, I just sink."
It's normal to feel this way when you're starting out, but it can be overcome with training.
Learning to breathe properly while swimming allows you to continue your forward momentum while successfully getting a big gulp of air to reduce your heart rate.
The first step is learning how and when to exhale while swimming, as that is key to keeping you, your mind, and your body calm in the water.
Learn about the Breathing Cycle HERE.
Breathing is essential to a better time at the pool and is one of our biggest modules in our Adult Learn to Swim Freestyle Course!
If you want to step up your swimming game, enroll in our course that will teach you how to swim Freestyle—even if you're just starting out standing in waist-deep water!
Tip #2: Improve Your Ankle Mobility
I'll let you in on a little secret…the very best swimmers in the world have flexible feet, and many can point their toes past 180 degrees! In the movement world this is called plantar flexion.
(By Connexions - OpenStax College. Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. http://cnx.org/content/col11496/1.6/, Jun 19, 2013.)
The reason for this is that it makes kicking a whole lot easier.
When you can point your toes, you create a larger surface area to kick with. This larger area can help swimmers apply more force to the water, and they will propel themselves forward much faster! All of this adds up to being able to swim with more ease!
Learn how to increase your plantar flexion HERE!
Tip #3: Find a Buddy
Just like with anything in life, it's easier to have fun when you've got a friend with you! Finding a buddy makes swimming a shared experience and a great way to keep you and your friend feeling fit.
Not only that, but having a buddy to go swimming with makes it easier to stay accountable. The next time you don't feel like working out but have some laps scheduled, it's harder to cancel when you know somebody else depends on you to be there.
Tip #4: Track Your Progress and Race YOURSELF
We all love to challenge ourselves. It's one of the things that makes life most fun. Seeing where you started - versus - where you've gotten after some hard work and dedication is inspiring. That's why it's essential to put some numbers behind your swimming.
Track how many laps you're swimming each time you go to the pool and how quickly you complete them. You can even track how quickly you can go for a single lap (25 yards) as fast as possible!
Your buddy can help you track, or you can ask a coach to help you.
If you're alone, I recommend a wearable data tracker. I personally use the Oura Ring and love to see my heart rate and calories burned.
Try out these 4 tips and watch your love of swimming grow! Plus, you’ll be surprised at how you grow as a person, too.
Until next time,
Abbie Fish and the Swim Like A. Fish Team
