I was reviewing a video of myself swimming a 50 free (scm) and was alarmed to find that I took 21 strokes on the first 25 and 25 strokes on the second 25. I had no idea I took that many strokes as, when I swim 100's at medium pace, it is more like 17 or 18. 19 or 20 when I am tired.
So what is the optimal number of strokes per length or is that going to depend on the size of the individual? I am either 180 or 181cm (I always forget) tall and have a wingspan of (just measured this) 186cm. Does it sound like my stroke rate is too high? Should I be doing more with that that pull under the water and slow down the turnover?
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Former Member
The correct stroke count depends a lot on your body proportions.
Swimming in a SCY pool, I usually take 8-9 strokes per length. WHen I get tired, it goes to 10. That's at solid aerobic swimming. If I'm sprinting, it probably bumps up to 11-12.
I'm 6'3" and have pretty long arms, and I get a pretty good distance off each wall.
-Rick
That sounds about right. I'm the same height.
I take 8 strokes for back...with a good underwater kick. (less than 8 when I kick half the pool).
And for freestyle, 10 on average, with a long loose stroke.
That changes when sprinting, by about 25%. (12-14 is more like it with a fast turn-over).
The streamline off the walls can be a big factor in how many strokes per length.
The correct stroke count depends a lot on your body proportions.
Swimming in a SCY pool, I usually take 8-9 strokes per length. WHen I get tired, it goes to 10. That's at solid aerobic swimming. If I'm sprinting, it probably bumps up to 11-12.
I'm 6'3" and have pretty long arms, and I get a pretty good distance off each wall.
-Rick
That sounds about right. I'm the same height.
I take 8 strokes for back...with a good underwater kick. (less than 8 when I kick half the pool).
And for freestyle, 10 on average, with a long loose stroke.
That changes when sprinting, by about 25%. (12-14 is more like it with a fast turn-over).
The streamline off the walls can be a big factor in how many strokes per length.
