2 Tips to Become a Better Swimmer
Did you know that swimming is among the best exercises you can do for your body? It's great for your heart, and it helps tone your muscles. Plus, it helps you get some exercise without putting strain on your joints. If you want to become a better swimmer, follow these two tips.
Keep Your Head Above Water
When you're swimming, focus on keeping your head above the water. Doing so will help you stay more balanced and keep your body aligned. When your head is above the water, your body naturally wants to follow. As a result, you can swim more efficiently and with better form.
If you're just starting, swim with a floatation device like water noodles or swim belts. This device will help you stay afloat and keep your head above water while learning the proper techniques.
You could also swim with a kickboard to help you focus on keeping your head above water. Just make sure when you swim with a floatation device, you grip it tightly. This way, you can stay afloat and keep your body in alignment.
As you transition from using a floatation device, practice with a swim instructor. That's because it takes time to get used to the feeling of swimming without one.
Use Your Arms and Legs
When you swim, you should use your arms and legs to move through the water. This strategy will help you generate more power and swim faster.
Start by pushing off the wall with your feet to swim with more power. Then, use your arms to pull yourself through the water. As you swim, keep your elbows close to your body and tuck your chin to ensure good form.
When you swim with your arms and legs, you also want to make sure to kick from your hips. Kicking from your hips will help keep your body in alignment and prevent you from over-rotating.
As you swim, focus on using a smooth and even stroke. Use your arms and legs to move through the water in a coordinated way. And kick from your hips to create a larger surface area to push off from.
To practice using your arms and legs, try a couple of swim laps in the pool. Start by swimming one length of the pool using your arms only. Then, swim one length of the pool using your legs only. Finally, swim one length of the pool using both your arms and legs.
As you swim each lap, focus on generating as much power as possible. And make sure to keep your form in check so you can swim with proper technique.
To learn more, look for swim lessons near you.
