With Team GB making a splash in the Olympic pool this week we thought we’d share our top swim tips to help you get your personal best.
Make use of the pace clock that’s poolside and time your sets. Try swimming 50m or 100m as fast as you can, rest for a minute and then repeat 4 times trying to beat your fastest time. This interval training will get your heart pumping and improve your resting heart rate.
Swimming fitness is completely different to gym based fitness as you have to actively time your inhaling and exhaling. Try swimming in repeated sets of 200m, 400m, or 800m with rest periods in between each. Don’t stop until you complete your targeted set. This will help you improve your breathing and allow you to focus on your technique.
Localise the strength in your arms and legs separately to improve your overall stroke. Use the kickboards and pull buoys in alternate 100m and 200m sets. Make sure you’re focusing on your muscles and pushing yourself, after all no pain, no gain right?
And finally swim with a friend to challenge one another to push harder. This will add an extra bit of motivation and add pace to your workout.
Now what are you waiting for? Dive in!