Basic Swimming Techniques for Faster, Easier Swimming

Swimming Technique:
How to Swim Faster & More Easily

If you are new to swimming and want to swim on a regular basis for fitness, or maybe challenge yourself at the competition level, I recommend joining your local masters swim team. You can get some coaching and direction, and you can give as much or as little commitment to the team as you like.

Although swimming is a pretty independent sport, there seems to be a lot of camaraderie on a swim team. There are actually a lot of masters swimming members who are just learning the sport. It can be a great non-intimidating environment for beginners. You may even realize a whole new appreciation for swimming.

You'll also find that besides simply swimming laps, you can participate in open water swims, triathlons, relay races and other competitive swimming events that are a lot of fun.

How to Swim Faster & More Easily

Swimming How-To The Revolutionary Way to Swim Better, Faster & Easier

Did you know that being a strong swimmer is a result of technique - not necessarily athletic ability or body type?

Top-ranked Masters Swimmer Terry Laughlin can help you improve your swimming form and stroke - with a workout that requires less effort. His step-by-step instruction is perfect for beginners. I refer back to this book consistently to remind myself of drills and techniques that I can practice to improve apon my stroke.

How to improve your swimming speed through swimming form; "Swim Like a Fish", and you surprisingly don't have to be any stronger to swim faster.
Simple step-by-step drills that you can practice to - what, make swimming easier?
A land-and-water program that can give you a strong body at any age.
Want to burn fat? Terry will tell you how to swim to burn off the most fat.

Swim Workouts

120 Workouts & Training Tips for Swimmers
Swimming is a super great way to get in shape and stay in shape, but swimming hundreds of laps can get boring. If you want work a fun workout that you look forward to - one that helps you swim faster and builds muscle tone and flexibility - check out these awesome tips from Masters Swimmer and Coach Marianne Brems. Click here >> Workouts for Fitness Swimming

Triathlon Training in Just 4 Hours a Week If you've never competed in a triathlon before and don't know where to get started, Triathlete Eric Harr can help you. He went from having no exercise routine to training for a triathlon - and enjoying it. He shares secrets he learned - including ways to save time and money that are especially helpful for someone who already leads a busy lifestyle.

Think you can't do a triathlon? Think again!

Great Tip: how to get the right gear without blowing your budget
How you can put together your own training program (really!) and become faster while making training easier
The best fuel for peak perfromance, how you can strengthen by stretching, + avoiding injuries
Get Started >> How to Swim Easier, Cycle Stronger and Run Faster

Swimming Gear - What Should You Get?

Men's Swimsuits | Women's Swimsuits
If you plan to swim on a regular basis, you want to get a sturdy swimsuit that will hold up the longest in chlorine. When I started swimming, I purchased a competition swimsuit made of nylon fabric. Even though it was an average-priced swimsuit, it only lasted about 30 swims.

Instead, I recommend Long-Lasting Swimsuits with PBT. PBT is a polyester blend fabic with a little rougher texture. In addition, suits double-lined in both the front and back of the suit offer additional durability. You can see a comparison here >> Swimsuit Fabric Information Chart

Swim Goggles
Look for anti-fog goggles, if you don't get them, you'll wish you had. Also, some goggles also offer UV protection. Before you replace your old pair of foggy goggles, try Anti-Fog Drops for Goggles to clear them right up!
Swim Caps
Caps are mainly made from either silicone or latex. A silicone cap will cost you more, but will way outlast latex, while pulling less at your hair. Since a silicone cap is thicker than latex, I've been told that it keeps your head warmer as well - something to think about if you're doing open water swims.
Wetsuits & Triathlon Swimming Gear
In my experience with open water swimming, if the water is 70 degrees or warmer, you're better off without a wetsuit. Make sure you don't do what I did on my first open water swim: use a short-sleeved "shorty" wetsuit a size too big. That will really give you some extra drag you don't need. The sleeveless style will give your arms greater flexibility, and a lower neckline will help you avoid friction rashes from neck rotation. Ouch! (You can use a lubricant like Body Glide to stop chafing, blisters and rashes from wetsuits and other gear.)
Swim Fins
You may be surprised to see how many choices of fins you have. I've been told that the best type of fin to use comes down to personal preference. They both help you build leg strength. I see an equal amount of people using short fins and long fins.
Swim Pull Buoys
Buoys help you develop upper body strength and proper body alignment. When you improve your body alignment while swimming, you can actually swim faster without exerting more effort.
Swim Paddles
These provide extra resistance and help at developing upper body strength while using a pull buoy.
Swim Stretch Cords
If you only have access to a small pool, you can use these resistance training belts to make your workout more effective. Some cords attach to your waist, and some to your feet.
Kickboards
Kickboards are a great training aid for, you guessed it, kicking. Besides strengthening your leg muscles, I've found it to be an easy way to add variety to your workouts.

Swimming Tips:

Easy Freestyle DVD
Highly recommended. The visual instruction is really great. What do they say - a picture is worth a thousand words? Created by Terry Laughlin of "Total Immersion" above.
Learn Swim Strokes on DVD
Get technique tips on all four strokes. Work different muscle groups, add more avariety to your workouts. For more easy video training, including swimming drills, triathlon training and dryland techniques, check out these discount swimming DVDs from Swim Instruction Professionals at Go Swim.
Exercises for Swimming
Strength training exercises for swimming. Swimming involves all major muscle groups, so any weakness will affect your performance. Use these exercises to help you improve - whether for fitness or competitive swimming.
Open Water Swimming Techniques
Open water swimming is much different that swimming in a pool. Learn open water-specific skills and techniques that will help you in your triathlons and swim races.
Training for Cold Water Swimming
I would have never thought I'd like cold water swimming until I tried it. If you are swimming an open water swim (especially if without a wetsuit), it's important to acclimatize your body to the cold conditions. (TIP: Wearing 2 swim caps can help your body retain heat.) If you have a cold body of water nearby, you may be able to find a swimming or triathlon group that you can join on their cold water swimming excursions. It's important not to swim alone in cold conditions. Also, wear a bright-colored cap so people can see you. Here are some more cold water swimming tips.

Swimming Pools, Clubs & Teams - Where Can You Go?

Places to Swim
Listings for hundreds (maybe thousands) of masters swimming programs across the USA. Includes location, contact information and workout times for each. Some listings have individual websites where you can get more information. Masters swimming rocks!
Find People to Swim With
Find people in your area who are interested in swimming, and make new friends who enjoy spending time in the water as much as you do.
Swimming Groups
Find a group of beginner and experienced swimmers near you and around the world through a free online service called Meetup.com. Although you don't necessarily need to meet other people for lap swimming, this can be a great resource for finding people for open water swimming.