Why You're Not Getting Faster Swimming and 5 Things You Can Do About It

Why You're Not Getting Faster Swimming and 5 Things You Can Do About It. How triathletes can improve their swim technique through video and coaching to change their swim stroke and improve their swim time.

[Theferrell]

Private swim coach here (BTW, if anyone wants to send me footage of them swimming, I'd GLADLY look it over for very low cost, ok, cheap plug over) but some pools, like university pools, have mirrors that you can put in a pool on the bottom, so you don't need a swim spa, but it's not as instantaneous. Instead of throwing down hundreds of dollars on a bone conducting headphone set, get a coach that will get in the water with you. Just as good, hundreds of dollars cheaper. Also, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND "dry swimming" to correct technique issues like this. If you can do it on land, you can do it in the pool. Just stand straight up and down and mimic the pull path of the stroke you want, and just Mister Myagi it all day long and then you'll develop the muscle memory that should help in the pool.

Also, Taren, I'd suggest for your next big technique item to tackle is looking into rotating more every stroke. I notice your shoulders are flat and if you get more of a rotation in per stroke, you engage your core muscles more helping the overall power of the stroke with minimal extra power used in the arms. I completely understand that open water swimmers "I guess" don't like to do full blown rotation due to reasons I don't really understand since my background is in pool swimming, but if you also rotate your legs as a whole, you will get way more power and should drop a few seconds per 100 without more training.

[llocust]

Have you noticed if your arm position varies depending on which side you breathe? Looks like you changed from right side to left between the two shoots.

[sming]

Good Pointers Taren. One observation i made watching the video of your before and after is your breathing sides. I'm wondering whether you are a dominant 'left' breather, so you have already have dominant muscle awareness of your catch at the correct angle. You claim the spa mirrors have helped, i would also indicate you changing breathing to the same side has also aided your higher elbow. I did a lot of work on bi-lateral breathing when i had a similar symmetry catch issue. I didn't have the luxury of a camera's, coach or spa mirrors - but found bilateral breathing helped stabilise the core, while aiding head and arm placing.

[hugojimenezhuizar]

Thanks for this video, I was having the same problem. Today I corrected this in the pool and it did improve my performance already.

[LVDell]

Can you please post where you purchased the mirrors?

[MastersonRichard]

One arm swimming with a snorkel is a great drill for isolating and focusing on problems. You will get proprioceptive feedback on weak side vs strong side.

[shaunhoulahan]

Hi Taren. I tried to buy your ebook from triathlontaren.com but one of the steps is to enter a password. I can’t find anywhere to register and setup a password. Can you help with this please? Cheers Shaun.

[likemarksee]

Taren, bone conduction headphones is genius. Have you tried it? which headphones would work?

[TheJamesmcdiarmid]

Totally agreed Taren. The instant visual feedback provided by mirrors in a swim spa really helped me to fix my stroke mechanics. My stroke was horrible and I had serious shoulder problems before I invested in an endless pool. I’ve been using it consistently for 6 years and I’m fitter, faster and my shoulders are fine - plus my kids love playing around in it... I bought an ex-demo pool for £20k which sounds like a lot BUT... taking time out to have shoulder surgery would have cost me much more PLUS morning swims at home are much more convenient nowadays - if you can afford one then get one 👍

[PolarBear]

In addition to near weightlessness in the water, add lack of almost any visual references when you are in open, murky water.

[wesg]

Hey Taren, I enjoyed this vid thanks! Just out of curiosity did you notice an improvement on your 100m split after making this adjustment to your stroke?

[RFreak]

Sounds great, Taren! Are you going to sponsor me an endless pool now, so i can fix my issues??? ;)

[SRV]

I was always taught to cup my hands, because it helps you move water more efficiently. I am getting back into swimming and training for my first Tri. Is the hand cup not the best practice anymore?

[mrdomingues]

I believe the major difference on arm position is because you have changed the side of your breathing from the first to the second video.

[afonsoguilhon]

When you say... 1:45 per 100 mts... do you mean average per the entire session ? Or do you mean to be able to swim 1:45 per 100 mts ?

[bfu]

Timely as I’m about to leave for the pool :)

[yesIamright]

Isnt everyones stroke perfect after the first 5 strokes of a swim?? Wouldn’t it be more realistic if you have footage of your arms when you’re fatigued/pushing harder in a set?

[BenjaminBriu]

DEAR SANTA,
1-swim spa
2-talent!
3-hard work!
Haha

[brunoblanchet]

Can't believe I get t write the first comment at once... Love you Taren!

[triathlontimmy]

It took this guy 5 years to bend his left elbow?