If you like to swim freestyle, you’ll benefit from these reliable swim stroke exercises, all of which will strengthen your stroke and improve your times.
For the best all-body workout, you’ll want to switch up your styles instead of doing an entire workout in one stroke. You’ll benefit from doing some breaststroke, a lot of freestyle, some kickboarding, and using a few props. Begin your practice with freestyle laps, being sure to always reach forward, extending as far as possible with each stroke, and letting the stroke glide in front of you before pulling down. Make each pull through the water strong and powerful, being sure to push the water behind you, not out to the sides or across your body. Make sure your kicks are strong and coming from the hip, and that your knees are only slightly bent. Try to glide across the top of the water, not thrash at the water. The smoother and stronger the moves, the better the times.
Practice several lengths with paddles on your hands, which will help you move much faster and will increase the water resistance. Then try a couple lengths with your hands balled up into fists (and the paddles off, obviously). Finally, resume freestyle laps in your normal manner. You’ll be so delighted by how powerful your hands feel that you’ll stroke harder and be faster.
Work out until you’ve worn out those shoulders (but not so long that you risk injury), and then switch to using a kickboard. Rest your upper body (it may feel good to stretch your arms out over the board) and kick, propelling yourself forward with long, deep, straight-legged kicks. Extend each kick deep into the water, challenging yourself to use all the muscles you can. Practice on the kickboard until you feel the burn. Then switch to the breaststroke kick, still resting your upper body on the board, working your inner and outer leg muscles.
End your workout with more freestyle laps, using your best technique. Focus on perfecting every stroke.
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Tagged with: Body Workout • Breaststroke • Exercises • Fists • Focus • Freestyle • Health / Fitness • Kickboarding • Knees • Laps • Leg Muscles • Leg Workout • Lot • Paddles • Props • Resume • Risk Injury • Shoulders • Stroke • Swim Workouts • Water Resistance
Filed under: Health and Fitness
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