Author: Brenton Ford
Power words are words which if thought about while performing an action, can improve that action dramatically.
For example, imagine a golfer lining up to sink a 6 yard putt on the 18th hole. He needs to sink this shot for the win. The pressure on him to perform is enormous. Now pause for a moment. What do you think a professional golfer would be saying to himself? “HARD AND FAST…HARD AND FAST” or “STEADY…STEADY…”. The latter of course.
In swimming it is no different. There are two power words which if thought about and repeated while swimming, your swimming will immediately improve. Not only in the way it feels, but in speed, in ease and in smoothness. These two words are “LONG” and “RELAXED”. Repeat them when you’re swimming. “LONG” and “RELAXED”.
When I use this technique with swimmers who are starting out or have little experience, the results are dramatic. It’s common to have swimmers tell me they ‘finally get it’ once they experience swimming long and relaxed. What do I mean by ‘long’? Swimming ‘long’ means to be as torpedo like as possible. You should imagine yourself reaching for the wall in each stroke and pulling right back past your hip. The longer you can make your body the less resistance you will create and the faster you will go. What do I mean by ‘relaxed’?
To go faster in swimming, you need to relax your body. Contrary to what comes natural when we attempt to speed up, you must relax your arms, your shoulders and your legs to increase your speed. Rather than swimming ‘tense’, relax your muscles and allow yourself to power through the water without fighting it. This is absolute key to swimming fast. During your next workout, imagine yourself swimming ‘long’ and ‘relaxed’ and instantly see the benefits.
How do elite swimmers get so good? Find out at http://effortless-swimming.com
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/water-sports-articles/how-to-swim-the-2-killer-secrets-to-a-smoother-freestyle-868104.html
Sunday, September 27th, 2009,
by SwimmerGirl,
Filed under: Basics, tips| |
3 Comments
Author: Matthew J James
Swimming lessons are an essential part of a child’s education, and whether they learn to swim at school, or at private lessons, being able to swim increases confidence, and can become an enjoyable and healthy total fitness hobby.
For adults who have never learnt to swim, or for those who haven’t been swimming for a long time, why not learn to swim today? Swimming lessons aren’t just for children.
Here are 10 reasons to book swimming lessons, and learn to swim today
- Swimming lessons, and ultimately being able to swim brings many benefits, such as feeling safe near water, and enjoying being by the swimming pool and feeling confident enough to try other water sports perhaps whilst on holiday. Imagine being able to water ski, or sail a boat, or go sea fishing. Even just being on the beach or investigating rock pools requires a certain level of water safety, especially where children are concerned.
- Many swimming pools and swimming clubs offer swimming lessons to children as young as 3. Your child is likely to enjoy learning to swim, and will experience a great sense of achievement as they progress from the first moments away from the side of the pool, swimming without armbands, and gaining badges and certificates. Swimming lessons for children are usually around 30 minutes long each, and parents can often spectate.
- If you didn’t have swimming lessons as a child, you may think that you have missed out on being able to swim, but this needn’t be the case as swimming lessons aren’t just for children. Many clubs have at least one swimming pool, so that you can incorporate your swimming lessons into your fitness routine. If your children are having swimming lessons at school you might want to take them swimming outside of school. If you haven’t swum for many years and you don’t feel confident, you may want to consider organising your own swimming lessons, so that you and your children will benefit.
- Swimming sessions are often available for parents and children, so that children can get used to the water and build up their confidence before embarking on swimming lessons. Water skills are invaluable, and can be learnt at a very early age. Having fun in the pool is the most important aspect of these sessions, and the emphasis is on playing with toys and games rather than actually learning to swim.
- Swimming provides many health benefits and a good low impact cardio vascular workout. Swimming is often recommended for those people who are recovering from injury or an operation, as well as those who are unable to undertake other forms of exercise. Swimming can be used as part of a rehabilitation routine, or as a water workout total fitness programme by itself.
- A water workout is an exercise regime that is carried out in the pool without a swimming instructor. Instead swimming lessons showing exercises and required equipment are on cards so that the swimmer can work through the exercises at their own pace.
- If you are a confident swimmer, then maybe you are considering swimming lessons to improve your technique. Expert swimming instructors can iron out any posture or stroke issues, and help you swim better. These lessons are longer, and it will be expected that the swimmer is already able to swim.
- When choosing swimming lessons, it is important that you and/or your child feel comfortable with the environment and the swimming instructors. If the pool is dirty and has cracked tiles, then maybe you will think that the standard of swimming lessons provided may not be too high. Some people prefer their swimming lessons to be taught by their own swimming teacher, rather than be in a group. Having the instructor’s full attention can lead to quick progress, and any problem areas can be addressed straight away, but there are no others to swim with. If you feel that you or your child would learn best this way, why not see if your swimming pool offers one to one individual swimming lessons.
- Swimming lessons should ideally lead to certification, such as the ASA awards, so that there is record of progress. Progression leads to confidence and shows how far they have progressed. Also, if you change club, the new instructors will be able to see the ability level and ensure that you are in the right group.
- A swimming school should employ CRB checked, ASA qualified instructors who are skilled and experienced in providing swimming lessons for all different ages and abilities. Having the capability to communicate effectively is important when teaching both children and adults. The swimmer wants to progress, and the teacher wants their pupil to progress.
Swimming lessons can provide you and your child with new found confidence and skills which could save a life, and will last for life. As well as being a fantastic form of exercise, swimming is great fun and a rewarding hobby. Why not find out more about swimming lessons today, and see what you’re missing out on?
About the Author:
Total Fitness Swimming Lessons are available for all Total Fitness members, and follow the ASA National Teaching Plan. Sign up for lessons today.
Sunday, September 6th, 2009,
by SwimmerGirl,
Filed under: Uncategorized| |
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Summer is a time for kids in traditional schools to have fun. But you don’t want them to sit at home, inside playing video games or watching shows all day on the TV. For those who have community pools, it’s not that hard for kids to get physical activity by romping around in the water. However, many people do not have pools that are accessible without paid memberships so they can’t frequent the pool.
By joining a summer swim team, you are giving your child a healthy activity which is fun and healthy.
Generally, summer sporting activities are expensive and don’t last very long. The summer swimming season kicks in right when area schools get out and is completed right before school starts back so you don’t have to worry about what to do with the kids on off weeks. It is an activity that is fun, social and healthy. It can introduce your child to competing in a sport without the pressure of a club team.
If your child has expressed interest in year round swimming, this is the perfect way to ‘test the waters’. In fact, my son started on a summer swim team and started year round swimming as a result. He has swum year-round ever since.
- Swimming is an excellent form of exercise
- The cost of participation in a summer swim team is very reasonable
- A summer swim team introduces young people to swimming in a non-threatening way
- Allows for a great deal of social interaction
- All swimming skill levels can participate
- Builds self esteem
For more information about summer swim teams in your area, you can check out local community recreation centers, the area YMCA or some year round teams offer summer swimming clinics and/or teams.
For swimming equipment or gear, I would recommend checking eBay for NEW items or ordering online somewhere like SwimOutlet where there are always great deals. Many stores are expensive and have a lot of impulse items you have to maneuver through to get to what you need.
Sunday, June 14th, 2009,
by SwimmerGirl,
Filed under: Age Group, Basics, Health, Uncategorized| |
1 Comment
We’ve all heard about athletic events held to raise money to support important causes. The sport of swimming is another great avenue for supporting non-profits. Our year round and summer teams have participated in several donation-raising opportunities.
It’s easy to coordinate a cause-related event (often called swim-a-thons). It can be a local, national or global cause. You can hold the event during a normal practice. Swimmers can collect donations based on laps completed or distance swum during a specific time period. Businesses are typically very willing to donate as are family members and neighbors.
We had a student from a high school organize a fund-raiser called “Laps for Life” to raise scholarship money in memory of a swimmer who died in a car accident. He had been drinking and the parents wanted to use the event to promote awareness among young people of the dangers of underage drinking and driving while intoxicated. Local businesses, swimmers, family members and neighbors donated to the cause.
Your club or team can raise money for causes like breast cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, animal welfare, environmental issues. There are numerous opportunities. So think about organizing an event around the sport of swimming. It can make a difference.
A few upcoming opportunities that have already been organized and only require your participation:
Make a Splash, Make a Difference! Swim for the Severn!
Annapolis, Maryland
Saturday, August 2nd
www.severnriverkeeper.org
Weymouth Bay Swim
British Heart Foundation
Sunday, August 9th
The National Kidney Research Fund
On-going (organize your own swimathon)
Emma Dowler on 01384 340783 or email emma.dowler@nkrf.org.uk
www.nkrf.org.uk
Aspire – the UK’s leading spinal injury charity
THE ASPIRE CHANNEL SWIM 2009
Monday 14th September – Sunday 6th December 2009
http://www.aspire.org.uk/channelswim/
Aaron Peirsol’s Race for the Oceans
Fort Myers Beach in Fort Myers, Fla.
October 10-11, 2009
www.racefortheoceansevent.com
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009,
by SwimmerGirl,
Filed under: Age Group, Swim News, tips| |
No Comments
You swim your heart out in an event you have not dropped time in for several meets and you get your best time by shaving 3 seconds! This great swim can instantaneously become a heartache when your name is at the bottom of the event results and marked with a DQ (disqualification).
Disappointment over a DQ is natural and walking away from the DQ with a positive attitude is difficult, but necessary, in the development of a swimmer.
A few points to ponder:
- You can still be proud of your effort in spite of a DQ. A disqualification in an event at a swim meet along with poor effort will always be a double failure; a DQ with max effort is something you can be proud of. Mistakes are inevitable…effort is a decision.
- The technical issue(s) that caused you to be DQ’d in the first place can be addressed at practice and should be put aside until after any upcoming events have been swum.
- If you take a DQ as merely a failure, you are overlooking the lesson(s) to be learned. After you address the technical issues in practice and you make the conscious decision to give maximum effort, you are more likely to succeed and have it count the next time you swim the event.
If you got DQ’d on a backstroke turn, work on it in practice until you execute the flip turn legally and consistently. Continue practicing because repetition is key.
If you get disqualified because you are fatigued and throw in a few breaststroke kicks with the butterfly, work on your stamina. Build up until you are strong enough to swim the stroke without the illegal kicks.
If your error was in the touch turn and you were over vertical, work on that. In any kind of sport, your body will learn from repetition and your race elements will become a habit.
So, the next time you get disqualified at a swim meet, allow yourself to be disappointed, but don’t let it consume you, let it motivate you. Sometimes the bitter sweet moments have the most growth potential…and not just in swimming.
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009,
by SwimmerGirl,
Filed under: Age Group, Basics, tips| |
No Comments
Members of USA Swimming have a new tool available! Have you ever wondered what you are eating and how it maintains (or not) optimal training nutrition and a healthy body for peak performance on and off season?
With USA Swimming’s nutrition tracker tool, you can create a personal database of specific foods, nuttrition content, menus, recipes and more. A swimmer can evaluate a full day’s nutritional intake, track nutrition habits over a swim season or analyze how your diet is affecting your energy and nutrient intake.
Every serious swimmer knows that a consistently healthy diet is as important to training as regular practice. Your body cannot perform to its potential if it doesn’t have the proper fuel.
Check out the Nutrition Tracker on USA Swimming today. If you don’t have a membership, consider joining, There are many other useful tools available to members.
Benefits of a USA Swimming membership
Nutritional Supplements for Swimmers
Sports Nutrition Guidebook by Nancy Clark
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009,
by admin,
Filed under: Age Group, Basics, Health, Nutrition| |
No Comments
Those who have the privilege to be involved in swimming at a competitive or recreational level know first hand of the many benefits of swimming. It’s a low impact, healthy sport for all ages and fitness levels. It builds a strong work ethic because it requires self-discipline.
But, these swimmers can often overlook the fact that simply knowing how to swim can save lives. In our neighborhood a young boy drowned in a fountain only 2 feet deep. Unfortunately, swimming is not economically possible for many people in the United States.
USA Swimming is making a difference. The USA Swimming Foundation’s mission is to make swim lessons accessible to children who otherwise would remain helpless in situations requiring the skills to prevent drowning…USA Swimming Foundation, through it’s supporters and programs, saves lives by making swim lessons available to children of families who do not have the economic means to pay for swimming lessons.
So check out the Foundation’s website and save lives!
There are many opportunities to help. Sponsor lessons for a child, support one of the grassroots learn to swim programs in your area through “Make a Splash”, volunteer to become an instructor…just do something.
Cullen Jones “Making a Splash” and having fun…
Become a member of USA Swimming Foundation on Facebook!
Sponsor a series of swim lessons for a child!
Join Splash Nation! ($10 of membership will go to sponsor swim lessons and Speedo will donate $30 toward swim lessons for a child).
Article about Cullen on ESPN news
Sunday, March 1st, 2009,
by SwimmerGirl,
Filed under: Age Group, Basics, Health| |
1 Comment
REVISED: According to some, Figge may have only swum 250 miles versus 2100 miles as originally reported by AP. Check out this article on Yahoo! Sports. I’m a little irritated at the whole thing. I actually showed my son on a map the route Figge allegedly swam. I don’t know what to believe. Oh well…I guess it may have all been a “Figgment” of someone’s imagination.
Imagine swimming 8 hours a day, for a little over three weeks, fighting a churning ocean (waves up to 30 feet) wearing an awkward wetsuit and the sun beating down on your face. Aspen Colorado extreme endurance athlete (at least that’s what I consider her), Jennifer Figge did just that. Figge swam from the Cape Verde Islands and finished up in Trinidad (she had initially planned to finish her swim in the Bahamas).
During her 8 hours in the water, it is reported that she vomited a few times daily. While in the water, she refueled her body by drinking energy drinks that were either thrown from the boat or given to her by divers who jumped in when the water was too rough to get the drinks to her any other way. Since she was in a shark cage, she did not need to worry about shark attacks. As for her intense nutritional needs (approximately burning 8000 calories per day), she carbed up during the day before swimming and recovered in the evening by consuming large amounts of protein.
Swimming across the Atlantic Ocean was something Figge had wanted to do since childhood and finally, at the age of 56, she has done that.
Jennifer Figge’s FaceBook page
AP Video
Open Water Swimming
Monday, February 9th, 2009,
by SwimmerGirl,
Filed under: Uncategorized| |
No Comments
SwimOutlet has a great deal on several tech suits right now and they have the free shipping on orders more than $75.
Speedo Fastskin II Male Legskin
List Price: $200.00
Our Price: $171.95
Sale Price: $117.95
You Save $82.05!
SwimOutlet has great pricing anyway, but when they put things on clearance, it’s definitely worth checking out. They carry all major swim brands including Speedo, TYR and Nike and they carry the hot suit models like Fastskin, Fastskin II, FS Pro, Fusion, Fusion2, Aqua Shift, and the
LZR Racer.
If you haven’t shopped
Swim Outlet before, check them out!
Saturday, February 7th, 2009,
by SwimmerGirl,
Filed under: Uncategorized| |
1 Comment
This is a great recipe that has a good combination of carbs and protein and postassium and my picky swimmer LOVES it.
Here’s all you need:
- Bolthouse Farms Amazing Mango Fruit Smoothie (1/2 of a small container)
- Plain Non-Fat Yogurt (1/2 small container)
- Banana (1) (organic if possible)
- 1-2 cups ice
Basically, all you do is pour the Amazing Mango Fruit Smoothie into the blender, add banana broken into pieces for easier blending, plop in the plain non-fat yogurt and add 1-2 cups ice. Then blend…this makes two large glasses (one for my son and one for me).
The yogurt adds the protein, banana adds the postassium, the fruit adds the carbs and the ice adds some water for hydration. This is a great pre-, between, or post-workout snack. It’s fine to drink a bit of this up to 15 minutes before jumping in the water since it’s liquified and can make it’s way through the digesstive tract quicker than protein bars, etc.
Thursday, February 5th, 2009,
by SwimmerGirl,
Filed under: Health, Nutrition| |
No Comments
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