Filed under: Fitness
It may not be warm enough where you live to jump in an outdoor pool but if you can find an indoor spot to splash around, swimming might just deliver you the fitness level you seek. A great cardiovascular workout without the jarring of jogging and as effective at calorie burning as biking, swimming can transform your body into a lean and powerful machine, complete with a core to die for.
Terry Laughlin, a veteran swimming coach and author of
Triathlon Swimming Made Easy, says many people can't swim properly. They thrash, struggle, sink, and give up. If you are one such person, Laughlin's tips for swimming efficiency might be just what you need. Here are a few.
- Lead with the top of your head, not your forehead, for better head-spine alignment, Laughlin says. Look at the bottom of the pool, not ahead.
- Push down with your chest until your hips and legs feel light. That "sinking feeling" you may notice is just your legs and hips naturally riding lower in the water than your upper body. Pressing your chest down gives you better balance. With each stroke, press each armpit into the water.
- Slip your arm into the water with each stroke as if you were sliding it into a sleeve. A longer body line reduces drag. Extend your arm until your shoulder touches your jaw.
- Be quiet with your body. Waves indicate wasted effort. Imagine you're piercing the water and slipping through a small hole.
- If you get winded, just hang on to the side; it's better than struggling with poor form.
For more from Laughlin, including a 30-minute workout, check out his website,
totalimmersion.net.
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