If swimming is your Achilles heel in a triathlon, then it is most probably because of the poor technique. However, here are some swimming workout, which make it quite easy to learn the right technique.

     Brainwork

     Requiring plenty of concentration, the goal of this swim workout is to maintain a steady pace while achieving high technical proficiency. It may sound simple but maintaining a steady, sustainable, non-stop effort throughout the distance can be a challenging task. While initially it may be difficult to achieve, but the target speed is race pace or slower, while maintaining the same speed over the distance.

     Sample Workout

     Try for a non-stop, steady sustainable effort for a 750-meter swim, done every 2 to 3 weeks. Initially try to restrict these efforts for short distances. You will see that as your fitness levels increase, you will feel stronger at the end of the swim, even though your time remains the same. This is an indication of an increase in technical proficiency so needed in a triathlon. With time you can add 100m to 300m to these swims.

     Technique Golf

     The technique golf workout routine helps in reducing the stroke count by varying the speeds from slower to faster than race pace, while you experiment with stroke rates and stroke distances. With its rules similar to that of golf, it is a fun way to improve your swimming. With time and experience, triathletes usually move to a narrower stroke range and towards race pace.

     Sample Workout

     This has to be done every week and involves swimming for 10 X 25 meters and a 15-30 seconds rest in between. Athletes need to count stroke for each length and add stroke count and time in seconds. The aim is to decrease total time for each 25 or 50 meters within a workouts.

     Race Simulation

     This workout is designed to stimulate a rapid race start, a moderate tempo during the middle meters followed by a slightly higher pace at the end.

     Sample Workout Read more »

     Help exists as swimsuit designers create swimwear with different body types in mind and trust me, the perfect suit does exist. When shopping for a must have summer wardrobe essential, I have created a few helpful hints to help you find the suit that will make you feel and look fabulous:

     1. FULL BUST - Do not despair ladies there are many suits, both one piece and two piece styles, that come in D-F cups. Designers are listening to women’s’ cries for sexy and attractive suits that are specifically designed for D and DD cup women. Storm & Freya have some very attractive and young suits for women who are D through G cups. Soshanna unveiled some appealing, yet supportive designs for 2008. These suits provide support and coverage and are very much in fashion. Finally, vendors have come to realize that there are many full busted gals out there who want great looking suits that provide support and are attractive. You can find them with and without wires and with tummy control if you desire.

     2. TUMMY HIDER - If you want to camouflage your tummy look for a suit that flatters and firms. Shirring, color blocking, asymmetrical patterns and surplice suits are good to take control of the mid-section. This season, the monokini is another choice that can provide a slimming illusion with a sexy appearance. This is a hybrid between a two piece and a one piece suit as its distinctive feature is fabric down the middle connecting the top and the bottom, yet revealing much of the mid-section.

     3. LARGE THIGHS - Find a suit that takes the eye away from that area. Skirted tankinis are a great option, as are swim dress suits or boy short suits (jogger style).

     4. HIP PROBLEMS - If you are trying to deemphasize the hip area, then you need to find a suit that flatters the leg. You should look for a suit that is cut up higher on the leg because it makes your hips look smaller. Dark bottoms are a good choice. Also try to find a suit that has interest across the top to take your eye upward, away from the hip area.

     5. LONG TORSO - Suits are available in long lengths. Tankinis and two piece suits are great for long torsos too. Emphasis at the waist deemphasizes the length of the torso.

     6. SMALL BUST - Many suits are available that will provide cleavage and fullness. Look for suits that have push up cups or pads inside. Shirring across the bust is also good and embellishments on the upper area also add some fullness. Find one with ruffles or a big and busy design to add emphasis to that area. Read more »

     Sod Removal

     Using a square shovel, all vegetation must be removed from the ground allotted for an above ground pool installation. One could even rent a sod cutter for a few hours to cut all the vegetation in a few minutes. Some areas in the US require up to 6 inches of clear area all around the pool. Thus, the local codes must be checked.

     Site Leveling

     After sod removal, the next step is leveling the installation site. Uneven ground cannot be fixed after above ground pool installation and water addition. Moreover, an uneven surface will give the pool a lopsided appearance, which is why this step is a crucial one. Instead of filling the low spots, it’s advisable to dig out the high spots. Flat patio stones are to be installed at each upright location as per the instructions. These patio stones must be leveled to the ground as well as to each other. Tamp and level the ground with a minimum 2 inches of masonry sand or clean soft sand. The site drainage should also be taken into consideration.

     Pool Wall Assembly

     The next significant step is to level and round the walls of the swimming pool. While leveling the walls assembly, it is important to check and make sure it is perfectly square if the pool is oval or perfectly round if it is a circular shaped pool. This is to make sure that the pool liner fits properly and the pool posts don’t lean in or out in a conspicuous manner.

     Liner Installation Read more »

     To breathe properly while swimming needs practice however, once you master the technique of breathing efficiently, the performance is enhanced. The following breathing techniques for swimming would enable the swimmer to move swiftly through the water without breaking the rhythm and losing out on the ‘time’ factor which is of utmost importance in competitive or professional swimming. Read more on how to swim faster.

     One-Arm Drill: In this technique of breathing, one has to breathe away from the stroking arm. While performing this drill one should imagine that one of his hand say the right one is kept straight without motion. The stroking should be performed with only the left hand. The chin should be stuck to right shoulder. One should keep looking over the right shoulder while the left arm is being recovered. In this position, the face would downwards, facing the pool bottom. After the recovery phase, the arm enters the water. The body should be turned and rolled on to the left side while the arm enters the water. The face rotates out of the water during this phase and the air should be inhaled. The left arm reaches the back of the hip after completing the stroke. The face goes back under water and air should be exhaled at this stage. Read more »

     One thing you should keep in mind is that maintaining your stamina and your energy level is just as important as swimming faster is. A balanced swimming workout should include a healthy mix of speed drills as well as endurance training. For example, if you swim six days a week, you should devote at least three days to endurance training. Speed drills should be done twice or at the most, thrice a week. This will ensure overall development and progress as far as your swimming skills are concerned. Here are a few tips and swimming technique-related points that you must keep in mind if you want to learn how to swim faster.

     Swimsuit: Purchase the right kind of swimsuit. You should ideally be on the lookout for a swimsuit which will minimize water drag and will assist in propelling you forward through the water. A lycra-based bodysuit will more or less suffice your need for an appropriate swimsuit.

     Minimal Body Fat: You must look towards shedding all the excess amount of fat from your body. Do not confuse fat with weight. The idea is to lose fat and build muscle. If, in the process, you end up gaining a few pounds, that’s absolutely fine. The increase in weight is due to muscle gain. More muscle provides you with more muscular strength (duh!) using which you can propel your body more powerfully through the water, thereby gaining speed. Read more »