How To Swim Faster
Most people want to swim faster. There’s just something about the crisp gliding through the water that feels unbeatable. Here we show you how.
It's not all about swimming. 'Dry side' exercise is just as important for improving your swimming. Check out our land exercise section here.In order to get faster in the water, you need to ensure your technique on the stroke is smooth – too much splashing around will leave you tired.
Speed swimming is all about keeping streamlined, so arms must enter the water without causing too much drag, kick your legs from the hip (not just the ankle) to improve propulsion and use your core muscles to keep you balanced in the water.
Help to pick up the pace
- Go to the British Gas Swimfit zone Training Camp for advanced technique videos for the four main swimming strokes to help you get faster. You'll learn about body position, legs, arms, breathing, and turning.
- Sounds obvious but swimming in a straight line helps you swim faster. But it's more difficult than you think. Visit the British Gas Swimfit zone here for advice from Olympic coach Ben Titley on swimming straight.
- Getting off to a quick start is also crucial. The British Gas Swimfit zone also has tips on how to do swim starts for front crawl, butterfly, breaststroke and backstroke.
- Fatigue is not a friend to quick swimming. Check out the British Gas Swimfit zone Training Camp for advice on fighting fatigue.
- Finally, poor fitting goggles can slow you down. Get advice on choosiing the right goggles for you in our British Gas Swimfit zone.
