While swimming is undoubtedly one of the best exercises you can take up, there is no denying that swimming demands the maximum of your strength. To be able to swim requires you to be fit and healthy and strong in the very first place. Training from the expert and reputed trainers in recognized swim schools like the Fort Worth swim school, for instance, adds to this. It is a fact that most people, in spite of being quite passionate about swimming, fail to practice this excellent sport in the long run because of lack of strength. So, if you want to be a good and successful swimmer, you need to work out regularly and follow the right ways of doing these exercises. Here is a list of some of the most prominent workouts that can help you gather the strength that is so required in swimming.
Warming Up – Yes, you heard that right. Warming up can well be considered as one of the exercises performed outside the pool and just before you take that plunge into the water. Although every swimmer is aware of the need to warm up, most of us often ignore the real importance of warming up and do not spend the required time on it. If you are serious about swimming, you should spend at least 30 minutes on a warming up session. And during this session, a set of hamstring stretches, prone holds sprinting, push-ups, sit-ups, burpees and streamline burpees are a must. It is interesting to note that a lack of proper warming up is often the dominant reason behind the feeling of extreme fatigue experienced by some after a session of swimming.
Strengthening Your Kicks – Swimming is one exercise that requires both your legs and arms to move vigorously and at the same time. So, having strong legs that are capable of potential kicks inside the waters go a long way in making you a good swimmer. Practicing flutter kicks is one essential way of improving swimming strength. All you need to do is to lie on your back and position your hands together underneath the rear part of your body. Elevate your legs slightly and start kicking alternatively. Continue for about 30 seconds, take some rest and repeat the process. You will be surprised to see how comfortable you will feel moving your legs under the water.
Working on Your Planks – Planks are basically body weight exercises that work wonder in strengthening both your upper and lower body along with your shoulders, arms and glutes. The steps involved in this great exercise are quite simple. Position yourself in a push-up position and keep your arms a little wider than your shoulder’s length. Hold your feet with toes to squeeze your glutes slightly to stabilize your body. Align your head to put it in line with your back and try to concentrate on a single spot on the floor. Hold on to the position for about 20 seconds and make sure that your legs are not holding any of the pressure. Keep practicing at regular intervals depending on your comfort level of course.
Performing Weightless Exercises – It is a misconception that you have to hit the gym regularly in order to stay fit and improve strength. Set yourself up for some routine exercises and keep practicing them. You will soon be surprised by the results. The routine should ideally include 10 push-ups, 20 crunches, pull-ups and 10 sets of goblet squats.
Strengthening Your Core – Core is the most important group of muscles in your body that not only help in swimming but in all activities. Workouts like the V-sits or the scissor crunches help in improving the strength of these core muscles, which further help in providing you with enormous strength during swimming.
While these are some of the popular workout tactics that help in improving swimming strength, a trainer is the best person to guide you in the right direction. It is essential to remember in this respect that certain exercises might not be suitable for swimmers with specific medical conditions. So, make sure that you consult your swim trainer in Fort Worth Swim School as well as a consultant specialist before taking up these workouts.