Every pool has that one swimmer who seems to effortlessly glide through the water, barely making a splash. They make it look so easy that you can’t help but be jealous. But there’s no need to be green with envy—with a little bit of practice, you can be that person too. The secret is all in the three most important things highlighted below. Just like the fire triangle (heat, fuel, oxygen)
Breath control
If you are taking deep breaths and getting enough too much oxygen, you’ll quickly get tired. Make sure you’re breathing through your nose and mouth, and take normal breaths when you can. Contrary to belief, holding your breath sends signals to your body that you are under stress and start tensing up muscles in a protective mechanism. When you’re swimming, it’s important to exhale slowly and evenly through your nose and mouth. This will help you to stay relaxed and maintain a smooth stroke. Inhaling should be done through the mouth only, and it should be timed with your strokes so that you’re never taking in more air than you need. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be breathing like a pro in no time.
Intent and Controlled Movement
By intent, I mean that every movement you make while swimming should have a purpose. For example, if you’re trying to swim faster, then every kick and pull should be aimed at propelling you forward. Similarly, if you’re trying to change direction, then your movements should be deliberate and directed towards the new course. In other words, there’s no such thing as wasted motion in swimming – everything you do should be helping you achieve your goal. To swim with control, meanwhile, means moving through the water with smooth, fluid motions. This doesn’t mean swimming slowly – in fact, some of the best swimmers are also some of the quickest – but rather it means avoiding jerky, abrupt movements that will just slow you down.
Finally, Relaxation!
Any good swimmer will tell you that the key to swimming is relaxing. When your body is tense, it creates drag and makes it harder to move through the water. Likewise, if you are constantly fighting the water, you will quickly become fatigued. The key to swimming efficiently is to relax your body and let the water do the work. It may sound counterintuitive, but by relaxed, I don’t mean float like a log. Instead, you should think of yourself as a part of the water, moving effortlessly through it. Give yourself permission to relax and enjoy the feeling of weightlessness. You might be surprised at how much easier it is to swim when you let go of all that tension.
The next time you get in the pool, remember these three things. Swimly can help with understanding all three – making sure you’re swimming correctly and getting enough breath control – but it’s up to you to focus on your intent and controlled movement.
Relaxation is key, so take a deep breath, put on your swim cap, and dive in! Ready to start improving your swimming skills? Are you a beginner? Check out our beginner sessions available.
Happy Swimming!🏊♂️
