The swim smooth guys have a new site at www.swimtypes.com that attempts to classify swimmers into six types. I found it interesting to try, and to see how the classification changed when I played around with the input values.
One of the things I found interesting was that they said their data show that people are somewhat polarized between sub 1:25/100m continuous pace for "smooth"/ideal swimmers and plus 1:25/100m "overgliders" and that fitness doesn't seem to be a big factor in dividing people across that time. Most people with good technique will be under 1:25 pace and very few swimmers with overglider technique problems will be able to get under 1:25. They use your 400m time as the input so if your time is under 5:40 you will be classified as smooth, much over that and you'll be classified as an overglider or swinger.
In any case I would be interested in seeing how other people classify and whether you agree with the classification.
Former Member
Bambino. =\
Edit: which explains why I backstroke, since I can't breathe enough when I'm freestyle.
I seem to remember it saying on the Kicktastic page that a lot of Kicktastics don't think they're Kicktastic... :agree:
Trust me, I'm not kicktastic YouTube- Part of my 500 free
Indeed you look more like a swinger I believe.
I didn't realize how badly I swing my arms out until I watched that again. I need to keep working on that in practice.
If my informal survey is at all representative (see Speed with pull buoy compared to speed without? - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums), then helluva lot of masters are kicktastic by this definition. And that just doesn't seem right. (Although I myself am likely kicktastic).
You're probably right. Other types may also be faster without the pull. Like some gliders for instance? You're right.
I didn't realize how badly I swing my arms out until I watched that again. I need to keep working on that in practice.
I don't think it looks bad at all. You keep your head down, you don't cross over with your arms, you keep your hand below your shoulders on the recovery and you've got pretty good rotation. I'm not sure I'd classify you as a swinger at all.
I'm a swinger!
I always wondered why I could beat so many people in ow who can crush me in the pool.
I'm thinking about buying the guide. I liked the brief advice listed below the definition. I don't have a coach so maybe this will help! :agree:
I believe I'm a swinger but I don't like the picture they put there. :afraid: I don't kick, never really have. Although I have worked more on high elbow and I think I've done a pretty good job but I don't rotate as much as I could.
That was interesting to see. Thanks for sharing.
I too am a non kicker and came out kicktastic. I really seemed to meet the swinger criteria verbatim. The picture was not flattering, but those videos showed some pretty good swimmers. I probably came out with so many issues that I couldn't be classified.
I think that a kicker would distinguish herself primarily by being faster full stroke over longish distances than with a pull buoy. Like making it more easily on reps of 100 on relatively tight intervals done at relatively slow speed. If this feels easier full stroke than with a pull then you're a kicker of whatever the name given to strong kickers. It's a good thing for a fly specialist to be a kicker. Might explain in part why you can get away without swimming too much fly in practice.
If my informal survey is at all representative (see Speed with pull buoy compared to speed without? - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums), then helluva lot of masters are kicktastic by this definition. And that just doesn't seem right. (Although I myself am likely kicktastic).
It says I'm a "smooth" all the way, but reading the descriptions I think I have some "overglider" tendencies. As Lindsay noted by their definition an overglider can only be so fast, and the time I entered removed me from overglider consideration. :)
yeah same thing. says im smooth with a splash of overglider. id swap 'em
