Swimming help

[Misssss]

I'm trying to get thinner/fitter and I've decided to start swimming. I went a couple of times last week but I'm crap and slow. Had anyone got any advice/techniques of how to improve? At the moment I can only do breast stroke. I suspect I'll need lessons for crawl etc.

this website looks like it might help. Google swimming technique for more .

Imo the most important thing to master with breaststroke and freestyle is breathing, without that you can't significantly improve. I think the main mistake people make with breast stroke is putting too much emphasis on the arm strokes when the real power in the stroke comes from the kick. With freestyle most people try and go too fast without keeping their breathing regular and even. so they end up out of puff quickly and have to rest, if that happens you can't work your muscles as hard as they are able because you are pushing too hard from a cardiovascular PoV if that makes sense . Getting a smooth stroke, breathing both sides and swimming slowly is the key and you get stronger and faster from there .

I've been going to adult swimming lessons, and they're fab! I'd totally recommend it, I feel like I've got masses better, and I've only been something like 4 times. (I do make sure I go at least one other time in the week to practice techniques.)

The lessons I go to are group sessions, so not that expensive, but it works really well.

I'm interested in improving my nonexistenttechnique too so watching this.

I've been thinking about adult swimming lessons too Takver but feel very intimidated at lack of fitness.

I'd definitely recommend adult lessons, you can do classes, small groups, 1-2 or 1-1, book individual lessons, or a whole course. A good teacher won't care if you are unfit, or a beginner, it's their job and they will have a class to suit your ability. My council pool has a drop-in session in one of the smaller pools once a week where you can just go and ask an instructor technique questions, it costs about £7 and hardly anyone goes as its not very well advertised. I only found out about it when I enquired about private courses.

I'd also recommend youtube, there are masses of technique videos for all levels and all strokes.

Breast stroke is slow. If you swim with your head above water it will be slower. Breathing is key. Try and find a time when your pool is quiet so you don't have pressure of people swimming different speeds in front or behind you and just practice different things you've learnt or seen, even for a few strokes.

Thanks for the advice. I've just emailed my two local pools :).

Believe me, my class is not full of fitness bunnies I am 45 and most weeks I am the youngest one there. My class costs £6.80 a session, which I don't think is bad given a swim is £2.90.

That makes me feel better, thanks :).