How to swim better and longer

Swimming can be hard. Here’s why:

Your muscles need oxygen to work. You probably use your muscles a lot when you swim. Sometimes, when you swim, it’s impossible to get oxygen (like when your head is underwater).

So, you basically have three options when you swim (if you want to go any considerable length in the water): you can figure out a way to get more oxygen, you can figure out a way to use less energy, or you can do both.

I’ve been watching other people at the pool in between my own laps to see who’s doing what. I’m trying to learn because I still can’t swim the distances I’d like to. Most of the swimmers seem to go with the figure-out-how-to-get-more-oxygen option. Instead of taking a breath every third stroke, they go with every second (or every one). Meanwhile, they get a hell of a workout kicking their legs and swinging their arms and slapping the water. Splash splash splash slap splash splash slap. Some of them manage to compensate for the less-than horizontal position they’re in by *really* kicking their legs. I have to admit, I’m impressed by it. I don’t like swimming next to their personal tsunami in the pool, but I am impressed.

I asked an ex-water polo player at work (who also happens to be the guy that turned me on to Swedish goggles–which are amazing) about this turbine engine approach and he confirmed my suspicions: it’s not the really smart way to swim. Your legs kick to keep balance and help your body rotate from side to side–that’s it really. If you keep your head down, looking at the bottom of the pool, your body should go horizontal in the water. You don’t have to kick like a crazed banshee to keep afloat and gliding forward.

Which means: more oxygen. More oxygen = less freaking out. Less freaking out = you’re more relaxed in the water. More relaxed and in the zone = the longer you can go.

How do you learn the form and learn how to relax? Try this:

• Practice with a pull buoy. It will help you understand rotation and balance and teach you to minimize your kick.
• Use Training fins. To use them, you can’t can’t really bend your knees. You’ll kick less to maintain your speed. Your arms will move faster, you’ll breath more often.
• Practice TI swimming. Man, TI swimming can make you a ninja in the water. Study the videos for this on YouTube. Buy the book.

All three of these ideas will improve your form and help you get more comfortable in the water. Swimming doesn’t have to be that hard. It’s supposed to be fun, remember? If all else fails, just try to imagine that you’re swimming to the rope swing at camp in your old cutoff jeans. See? Fun.