For many people whose bodies begin to feel the strain created by running miles upon miles for years on end, a physical trainer may recommend turning to swimming. Swimming is great in that it allows an individual to get a valuable workout while avoiding some of the impact injuries that are often associated with jogging.
But that’s not to say that swimming doesn’t leave one subject to soreness and injury. One has to strive to have the right technique when they’re traveling back and forth across a pool, and they have to take the time to warm up and cool down properly just like with any other workout. A new report has compiled a litany of insights from swimming coaches and officials around the country, and the advice on hand is worth exploring by all those people looking to get into swimming.
One big takeaway from many of the people interviewed is the emphasis that must be placed on technique. Whether you’re just trying to limber up your muscles or you’re training for an intensive race that requires you to go as fast as possible, you’re better served if you’re able to glide through the water in a non-jerky manner. Make sure you’re completing one full stroke before turning to the next one, using your momentum to glide through the water before propelling yourself onward with the subsequent movement.
Still other tips focus on preventing shoulder injuries that become common with improper technique or the repetition inherent to swimming long distances. One coach advises using bent elbows during recovery swimming so that no added stress is placed upon a person’s shoulders. One other coach speaks to the importance of using fins to reduce the risk of a shoulder injury. He explains that using fins toward the beginning of a workout enables the legs to take much of the brunt of the exercise, allowing the shoulders time to adjust to being in the water, eliminating the stress that would otherwise accumulate.
One area that a lot of swimmers struggle with is conducting the backstroke in a healthy manner, which is why one coach advises taking a quarter and balancing it on a person’s forehead. This keeps a swimmer’s head in the proper position and allows for more focus on the arms as they’re supposed to be pulled through the water.
Finally, one coach makes the statement that it’s important to focus on stroke distance before increasing tempo. In this way, you pin down your swimming technique and get in the habit of extending your body as far as it can go before you start your next motion. Once you’ve mastered this habit, you can increase the speed with which you execute motions.
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