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Best way to improve my swimming ability?

Y

YoungGun21

Platinum Member
Besides taking lessons, whats the best way to get better at swimming? I'm so horrible you could pretty much say I can't swim at all.
 
I would take a lesson or two to learn proper form. From there on out, if you don't care about perfecting your form, you just need to practice.
 
Youngun21,

Give this a try. You will thank me later. You will see great results in very short periods of time.

If you can't swim at all, you should get some basic lessons first before getting in the water period. In addition to lessons, always make sure you have a swim buddy.

Y
 
Originally posted by: The Yeti
Youngun21,

Give this a try. You will thank me later. You will see great results in very short periods of time.

If you can't swim at all, you should get some basic lessons first before getting in the water period. In addition to lessons, always make sure you have a swim buddy.

Y
Click to expand...

So those TI videos would really help me? I've heard most "self-help" videos are worthless...
 
Were a runner beforehand? (Cross country, track, ect?) If so you are screwed. Runners are the worst swimmers in the world.

😛
 
Originally posted by: Flyback
Jump off a cruise ship and learn by doing 😉
Click to expand...

LOL Well that almost happened. I was knocked off a house boat one time when I was messin around with my cousin but there was a jet ski like 4m away I just kinda kicked my way over to it.

Were a runner beforehand? (Cross country, track, ect?) If so you are screwed. Runners are the worst swimmers in the world.
Click to expand...

OK I'm screwed lol All I do is run all year! Cross country/ soccer in fall, track in spring.

Regardless, I still need to learn how to swim.
 
He said suck hardcore. :laugh:

Best way to improve your swimming is to keep doing it.

Edit-Do you actually know how to swim? I guess that would be a good starting place.
 
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Were a runner beforehand? (Cross country, track, ect?) If so you are screwed. Runners are the worst swimmers in the world.

😛
Click to expand...

Especially triathletes.
 
Umm yes and no... I have trouble staying nearly the top of the water. I can swim "ok" underwater, but I can't hold my breath real long. I guess my biggest problem is staying afloat.
 
Ok. I taught myself, and a friend how to swim (I myself am pretty sucky at swimming but not that bad. The reason is i'm not using my legs properly and kind of drag my feet 😛). The most important thing for a noob is to try to keep your head above the water. Arch your neck backwards. Do it like you are swimming underwater, and try keeping head above the water. You can start out with a snorkel so you wouldn't swallow water at first. Then you can improve that by keeping your face under water then after a few swings of arms, take a breather.

Here's a ghetto picture of basic floating picture.
Also you can try practicing staying afloat.

................(..)...............................
~~~~~~~ ||~~~~~~~~~~~ water line
........... /-------\........................
....^~ /...|.......|...\~^..................
............. |......|.....................
............ .|......|.....................
..........._|........|_.....................
The ^~ are supposed to be palm of your hand. Move them back and forth as windshield wipers, but also at a little bit of an angle (like the fins of a fan, but when you swing your hand back, flatten it, and when swinging forth hold it at an angle)

*edit, wow pwned by forum formatting 😱
 
EDIT: ok now I get what you mean by windshield wiper movement lol

So anybody know if this TotalImmersion DVD will be worth it? I'm a pretty easy learner usually I think I just need a little help.

I taught myself how to ride a bike I don't see how this should be that much different.
 
Originally posted by: YoungGun21
What do you mean move them like windshield wipers? Do I move them front to back? Or is it like half-a** jumping jacks, keeping elbows sorta stiff?
Click to expand...

No, you actually keep them very relaxed. Basically each time you move your hand away from your chest (and straighten the arm out) you make it as low resistance as possible. Like this: --> Then when you bring your right hand towards your left shoulder/chest you hold it up like this <\ arrows indicating the direction, from first person view, for the right hand. Then you synchronize both your hands, so one arm retracts and other pushes the water downwards (and your body upwards). Also note this is shoulder/upper chest level, not on the level of stomach, like my picture wrongly shows. Also yes, there is a little bit of angle at your elbow, but that's only when you bring your hands to your chest. And follow move your upper body back and forth as well, so that you have more power behind your arms.
Also move your feet a little bit, will help you to stabilize. Its like when you stick your hand out of a moving car like this \ your hand will have an upward lift 😀

This way you can actually swim backwards (slower but for me takes less energy than normal swimming).
 
Originally posted by: tenshodo13
My philosophy.

You learn while you drown.
Click to expand...

haha lol.. Not really. It's like saying you learn how to do a double backflip while jumping off the wall. Small steps are usually a good way to start.
 
Practice with a couple of large rocks tied to your feet and neck...You'll get the hang if it much faster that way...😉
 
<blockquote>quote:
Originally posted by: scott
There's a standard progression people go through.

...

as you stroke think of your Uncle Isaac Newton's 3rd law of motion. Tiniest, slightest wasted motion creates reactions of drag + water wake + tiredness. Consciously control the faintest slight motions of every part toward moving forward, e.g.; hand entry, turning head to breathe, etc.

also do some weight training. Swimming takes strength and alot of it boils down to areobic conditioning, which takes time to build up. Unitl then it's juut hard work. Do you have to fight to keep uyourself to your training discipline in the beginning, which takes will power....

</blockquote>

I'm not afraid of the water or anything, I go skiing and tubing all the time with family and friends. I'm already in great condition, I lift weights 5 days a week and since I am in track we of course run lots. I am very disciplined and always stick to a workout plan, even if it means I miss hanging out with friends.

I just have trouble swimming, and I don't really know why...

 
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