December 7th, 2011 — Swim Bike Run, Swimming
There is a misconception with many swimmers that the stronger their body is the more powerful their swim stroke will be. While this is an important factor in your performance, it is not the most important factor. The most important factor is the manner in which you are performing your stroke. This includes paying attention to the way your hand enters the water, the way your hand moves through the water, how your legs move and the breaths you take. All of these factors are highly important to having the best performance possible.
How the Hand Enters the Water
A sloppy swim stroke is easy to see because there will be a big splash and a loud noise every time a hand enters the water. The idea is not to just get the hand in the water so you can pull. The idea is to get your hand in the water in the most effective manner possible so you can get the most out of the stroke. To start, your fingers should all be together and your hand should be stiff. Point your hand so it enters the water fingers first and thumb pointed down. This will put your hand in the perfect position to start your stroke.
The Powerful S-Stroke
Now that your hand is in the water, it is time to create the power which will propel you through the water. This is done by making sure your hand is always meeting resistance in the water. Do not simply drag your hand through the water as you will lose resistance after the first foot or two. Instead, start by pushing your hand out and down until it is just outside your shoulder. Next, draw your hand in towards your stomach and groin. Last, push your hand back out towards your hip and beyond. Your hand should come out of the water pinky first.
The Most Effective Kick
Backing the power of the right swim stroke is possible when you have the right kick. This means making sure you pay proper attention to where your legs are at all times. Your thighs should always remain as close together as possible. When your legs split apart too far, you end up creating drag. Using a floater will help you train yourself to keep your legs together. The majority of the movement will come from the knees and the ankles. The toes should always be together to create the closest you will ever come to a flipper.
Breathing Correctly
Breathing is something you normally do not have to think about. For a good swim stroke however, the right breathing technique makes all the difference. Do not take a breath every chance you get. This will cause quite a bit of drag. Instead, breathe every other stroke if possible. The longer you can go without breathing, the less drag you will create. You are better off taking a full breath when you get a chance rather than taking gulps of air.
Photo Credits: kenoncjones
Originally posted 2010-04-01 10:20:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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December 3rd, 2011 — Clothes and Gear, Swim Bike Run, Swimming
There is more to swim gear than just a pair of swim trunks. The gear you purchase will help you to train as well as during competitions. You do not have to spend a lot on the stuff you will use. The important thing is more just to have the equipment which will help you to get the most out of your swimming. You can invest in items which will help to strengthen the muscles you will use during competition, equipment to reduce drag and items which will make it possible for you to swim more comfortably.
Training Gear
There are many different kinds of swim gear you can use to train with. Of the most recognizable is the kick board. This helps to improve the strength of your legs. You can either use the board with or without flippers. The way the board helps you is by allowing your torso to stay out of water and creating drag. Your legs alone will be responsible for forward momentum.
For those looking to build upper body strength, the swim gear you can purchase is a little different. You can purchase push boards which strap on to your hands. These are little more than pieces of plastic in a square. How they help you is by giving you a good idea about whether you are completing a proper stroke or not. All power from your stroke will be translated instantly into movement. You can also purchase floaters which are clenched between your thighs. This creates more drag and forces your legs to stay together. This helps to build upper body strength while training you to keep your legs together as you swim.
Drag Reducing Equipment
The kind of swim gear you wear should help you to swim faster by reducing drag. This starts with the right suit. This includes making sure the suit is as close to your body as possible. One thing to look out for here are seams which do not bulge out from the suit as it meets your body. Another important piece of equipment to reduce drag is the swim cap. This is little more than a piece of latex which will be stretched over your hair and head. The cap should contain all of your hair as well as your ears. This will reduce as much drag as possible from your head without having to shave off all of your hair.
Comfort for the Swimmer
Not all swim gear has to be uncomfortable when you wear it. In fact, some pieces of equipment will actually improve your comfort as you are swimming. One of the most important pieces of equipment which will make your swimming more comfortable is the right swim goggles. While the square frame goggles are very popular, it is possible to buy goggles which are more like bubbles. These will reduce drag while allowing you to see in every direction. This way whether you are in competition or in training, you will not have to compromise anything.
Photo Credits: kenoncjones
Originally posted 2010-04-02 03:22:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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November 14th, 2011 — Swim Bike Run, Swimming, Triathlon Tips
The most effective stroke for people in a triathlon is the overhand crawl. This is a style which is also known as freestyle. The swimming kick used for this stroke is very important to your performance. It is also the most undertrained part of most people’s stroke. It is taken for granted as something which cannot be improved. In fact, you can train your leg muscles to be stronger and more effective. You can also train your kick to be more effective by creating less drag and more push. By following some simple advice, you will turn your kick into a propeller.
Developing Strength
One of the best ways to develop strength in your swimming kick is by using a kickboard. This is little more than a piece of Styrofoam. What you do is rest your torso on the board and then kick your way from one side of the pool to the other. The board will stop you from using your arms to pull you through the water. The board will also create extra drag to make it even more difficult for you to kick your way from one side to the other. You will have to train your feet to be like flippers.
Flipper Training
While using the kickboard to develop a stronger swimming kick, you might want to also use flippers. This is because the flippers will help to show you the angle which your feet should be when you are kicking. You will be able to feel the difference when your feet are angled correctly and when they are off. By using the flippers you will also create greater strength in your legs because of the excess force you will need to push the water.
Keeping Your Legs Together
Floaters are a great way to train your legs to stay together. This is an important part of the swimming kick because if your legs are far apart, they create more drag. By clenching a floater between your thighs, you force your legs to stay together. If you allow your legs to separate, you will know it right away. This is because the floater will come loose and float away from you. The other added benefit you get from the floater is that it will create extra drag. This is important to develop better strength in your upper body as well as in your legs.
Photo Credits: hectorir
Originally posted 2010-03-19 10:53:43. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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