get REAL Swim Tip - Body Position

For most people new to triathlon, swimming is the most intimidating sport of the three disciplines.  We are still working at the North Area YMCA to get some swim trainings up and running for all of you who are interested.  In addition to that, though, I thought I would begin posting some swim tips that have and still are helping me to become a better swimmer.

Unlike running and cycling, which come pretty naturally to most people (and by that I mean, no one really has to teach you how to run), swimming is much more technical.  Good swimmers are not only in great shape, but they have the correct technique to make them very efficient in the water.  And in the water efficiency equals comfort and speed.

In order to practice good swim technique, it is important to know what good swim technique is.  So I'm going to be posting some videos and tips to help all of you get a good handle on what good swimming looks like and how to go about doing it.

For today, let's talk about body position.  To swim efficiently (fast), you need to glide through the water.  To do that you should always be swimming on your side.  Now, I don't mean swim side-stroke, but I mean after you put your hand in the water and pull back, you should glide on your side before you do your next stroke.  Another thing to think about is being horizontal in the water.  If you are essentially floating on top of the water, you will glide through the water much easier than if you are dragging your feet and legs below you.  This is hard to explain in words, especially for someone like me who is not a swim coach!!  But, check out the video below.  The tips are good, but even better is getting the image of what a good freestyle stroke should look like.  Watch it and watch it again.  Then the next time you get in the pool, put it into practice.