Helpful Swimming Tips for Beginners
Unlike most animals, human beings don’t instinctively know how to swim. Learning can be difficult, but it’s a rewarding skill that can provide excellent exercise, and even possibly save your life. Whether you’re swimming just for fun or aiming to swim competitively on school or club teams, remember that beginners often hit a few snags on their way to becoming standout athletes. Here are some tips for beginners from the aquatic sports experts at Boathouse.com.
How to Breathe When Swimming
Your muscles need oxygen to work efficiently, and you need strength to propel yourself through the water. The right breathing technique can improve power and stamina in the pool, and is absolutely necessary for competing at a high level, especially in longer races. Of all the swimming tips for beginners, tips on breathing can be the most difficult and awkward to master. First, you must become comfortable with having your face underwater while you perform a demanding aerobic task. Your body is going to want access to more oxygen, and submerging your face may feel unnatural. The trick to this is to teach yourself to time your breaths with your stroke. Think of breathing as a mechanical part of your stroke; just like your arms and legs. When done correctly, you can fit in the breaths you need while streaking through the water efficiently.
Tips to Swim Faster
If you want to make the varsity squad, you need to give it your all in the pool. Of course, though effort counts for a lot, form and conditioning matter too. Some of the most important swimming tips for starters include tips on how to balance yourself in the water and reduce drag. Ideally, you want your body to stay balanced on a horizontal plane while you swim. “Swim tall,” making yourself as aquadynamic as possible. This will reduce friction and help you move through the water faster. Whereas building arm and leg strength in order to swim faster may seem like a no-brainer, many athletes overlook the importance of core muscles. Your back and ab muscles play a big role in the full-body exercise that is swimming, and a few extra sit-ups in the gym can make a difference in your performance in the pool.
Great Gear and Apparel Helps
Form, dedication, effort, coaching, and conditioning will all contribute to your success as a swimmer, though the right gear and apparel can make a difference too. From swim caps to goggles, it’s important to have the right fit. Swimsuits that fit snugly and reduce drag are must-have apparel. Keeping your muscles warm between heats is essential. If you’re a team manager or coach, consider a swim parka jacket for your swimming team from Boathouse.com. Your athletes will stay loose and warm while they get ready to compete.
