Swimming can be an exercise that has the benefit of being easy on the joints. Swimming can improve a person’s strength level while at the same time boosting their cardiovascular system. For people in hot climates, outdoor exercises such a running may pose health risks, such as heat stroke. Swimming offers these individuals a cooler alternative, with less impact, that still allows them to improve their body’s overall health.

Learning the Strokes

Swimmers should get a swim instructor to tutor them on the basics of swim strokes to ensure that proper technique is being practiced. Proper technique will allow the swimmer to increase speed and endurance. It is recommended that someone who is knowledgeable about proper technique watch a swimmer and make sure that proper technique is being used throughout all of the various strokes as they are practiced. Often, athletes feel that they are doing motions correctly but what they feel may not be what is real.

Swimmers are encouraged to swim at least three times per week so that endurance that is built up over time is not lost and technique remains strong. If finding the time to swim is an issue, swimmers should opt for more short sessions rather than fewer lengthy sessions. Use easy workout sessions to perfect technique but do not be afraid to push the envelope. Going at full pace can help a swimmer learn to deal with the challenge of maintaining form even when fatigued and can improve performance for competitions.

Swimmers’ Equipment

Swim fins can be used to help a swimmer achieve an almost perfect body position while swimming which will allow for the swimmer to gain a feel for what a perfectly executed stroke should feel like. When fins are removed, the swimmer is then able to recall that proper motion or stroke technique. Swim caps are often worn by competitive swimmers in order to reduce friction, or drag, that slows a person down. Drag in the water is a swimmer’s number one enemy and drastically reduces speed and overall performance. Goggles should be worn to improve vision and protect the eyes from irritants found in pool water, such as chlorine. Most swimsuits are streamlined in design and intended to reduce drag.