Proper Swim Technique

The proper swim technique can be mastered by even the most novice swimmers. With proper technique and form, you will be getting much more out of your swimming workout. Your muscles will be working harder and you will gain speed through the water. Before you know it, you won’t even have to think about how to do the proper swim technique.

1. Keep your body in check. As you move through the water, your body needs to stay streamlined and straight. This will make you more aerodynamic and increase the efficiency of each stroke.
2. Use your chest. Your chest muscles are a large part of proper swim technique. To gain speed, press your chest right into the water as you stroke. In doing so, your hips will move upward.
3. Rotate your body. As you reach out with your arm for a stroke, your body should also rotate to that side. This allows you to take a breath and will help you move faster. Start this rotation at your hips.
4. Rotate your shoulders. In addition to rotating your body as you swim, keep your shoulders moving with each stroke. If your shoulders stay flat, you won’t pick up any speed and your swim technique will appear sloppy. Your shoulder should rotate forward as your hands come down into the water on the stroke.
5. Take longer strokes. You might think that to swim faster, you need to take frequent, fast strokes with each arm. However, the key for proper swim technique is to take long, exaggerated strokes. Really feel for the water as you stroke for better results.
6. Upturn your head slightly. This swim technique will help keep your head from slowing you down. When your head is down, it adds resistance to each stroke. Tilting it slightly upward will break that resistance and also puts less strain and pressure on your neck.