I've been swimming now for about 4 months after taking nearly 20 years' hiatus. Needless to say, I'm not really not trying for any speed records but I'm frustrated that I'm not getting any faster. Ironically enough, I'm usually the fastest swimmer in the pool, even compared to other 20 somethings. Then again, there really isn't much competition at my 24hr fitness.
I've been told by others that my form looks pretty good. I can swim 25m in about 15 easy strokes. But I can't seem to get my arms to move any faster in the water. If I try to increase my arm speed, I end up compromising my extension, using more energy and going about the same overall speed.
Since I've been focused on distance, I've been using a 2-beat kick. I'd like to employ a 6-beat kick, but somehow can't get the timing down. When I try for a 6-beat, I usually end up fluttering around like a wounded minnow.
I swim about 5 times a week, mixing up distance, speed drills and kick drills. I'm 33 years old, decent cardio, height 5'7".
So I'm open for opinions. Should I focus on increasing arm speed? Work on a 6-beat kick? Increase strength? All of the above?
Thanks
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Former Member
Thanks for all of the feedback.
spell_me - I used to swim a lot with the pull buoy because it made me swim faster (and felt much easier overall).
This is not unusual. I have known many swimmers who are faster with a pull buoy. More importantly, though, I think this statement may help us diagnose part of your problem.
A couple of ideas... If you think about your body as an axle, and we can agree that your body should rotate while swimming freestyle, then you want to examine that axle to make sure that it isn't out of alignment in any way.
This can happen when we don't keep our body rigid. If spectators on the deck might comment that you wiggle when you swim, then this might be the culprit. This can also happen at the kick, where the feet are splaying too far apart while kicking. The result of your legs splaying too much would cause the more subtle problem of slowing your rotation.
The pull buoy could reduce both of these problems. But it is unlikely to fix your problem. What you need to do is to learn to swim with a kick more like you swim with a pull buoy. Meaning, try to figure out why your stroke works better with a buoy than with your kick. Likely, you will discover that your hips are in better alignment with the buoy or your feet create less rotational drag with the buoy.
I would try some 50s, one with a buoy, one without. Turn your mind to your body rotation and compare your "pulling self" with your "swimming self".
Ande must have a tip about kicking and rotation, but I can't find it. Perhaps the Ande Search Engine (TM) would be kind enough to reference the tip if he has it. ;)
Thanks for all of the feedback.
spell_me - I used to swim a lot with the pull buoy because it made me swim faster (and felt much easier overall).
This is not unusual. I have known many swimmers who are faster with a pull buoy. More importantly, though, I think this statement may help us diagnose part of your problem.
A couple of ideas... If you think about your body as an axle, and we can agree that your body should rotate while swimming freestyle, then you want to examine that axle to make sure that it isn't out of alignment in any way.
This can happen when we don't keep our body rigid. If spectators on the deck might comment that you wiggle when you swim, then this might be the culprit. This can also happen at the kick, where the feet are splaying too far apart while kicking. The result of your legs splaying too much would cause the more subtle problem of slowing your rotation.
The pull buoy could reduce both of these problems. But it is unlikely to fix your problem. What you need to do is to learn to swim with a kick more like you swim with a pull buoy. Meaning, try to figure out why your stroke works better with a buoy than with your kick. Likely, you will discover that your hips are in better alignment with the buoy or your feet create less rotational drag with the buoy.
I would try some 50s, one with a buoy, one without. Turn your mind to your body rotation and compare your "pulling self" with your "swimming self".
Ande must have a tip about kicking and rotation, but I can't find it. Perhaps the Ande Search Engine (TM) would be kind enough to reference the tip if he has it. ;)
