Hi all, new swimmer and member here! :)
I've started swimming about a week ago after joining the local gym and i must confess... i'm addicted. I've been visiting the pool every day the past week and have gotten from barely being able to swim 10 yards (freestyle) without fainting to doing 50 yards alternating breathing sides.
The thing is im kind of worried about my technique. I don't know if i should be worried about it or let it develop naturally. My current problems.. staying afloat when swimming slow, keeping momentum while breathing, not over exhaust myself, good pull/push technique.
I've read and re-read several great threads and workouts but did not see much about technique. Can you give a new swimmer some advise? share some efficiency techniques that helped you become better freestyle swimmers?
thanks
Former Member
You mention staying afloat. It is very hard to sink give it a try, take a large breathe hold onto your knees, then sit on the bottom of the pool count to ten and see where you are I think you will not be sitting on the floor.
I would suggest that you do one of the following or perhaps even a combination of a them..
1) Get some swimming instruction in the form of lessons
2) Join a Masters Team and get some instruction
3) Buy some videos/DVD's about swimming technique (GoSwim and Total Immersion are two that I am fond of)
I went the DVD route after taking a few weeks of lessons that I felt were geared more towards those who were scared of water in general. It is crucial to learn correct technique for your own enjoyment and for the health of your joints used while swimming; most notably your shoulders.
Anyhow, welcome aboard and enjoy your newfound addiction.
There are so many free videos around just do a google search for swimming videos. In addition to scyfreestyler's suggestion I also like SwimSmooth dvd I have one and find it also to be very good.
geochuck, i'm sorry, what i meant by staying afloat is keeping my shoulders at water level.. i sometimes feel as if their sinking and i find myself recovering from underwater to the surface.. pretty weird mind trip that fees as if you're sinking.
For one thing are you trying to keep both shoulders at the surface. Too many try to swim on top of the water, and try to keep the both shoulders flat. The shoulders do not stay flat they roll in and out one at a time. Now here is the controversy I say roll the shoulders and someone else says roll the hips and some others say the kick controls the roll. Just make sure they roll.
and once you've got your shoulders rolling, I'm going to bet that your hips are going to sink. The very best hint I've ever had on keeping the hips high is to press your chest down. It is like a seesaw... the chest is low, the hips are high. Chest high/hips low (not what you want). The trick is to learn just how much to press your chest so you are balanced.
Lainey
