THE SWIMMER'S MINDSET: 7 SIMPLE TIPS FOR REAL IMPROVEMENT

The pursuit of a perfect stroke is an elusive journey. The hardest part isn't learning a technique, but being willing to constantly change, modify, and adjust as you develop. If you desire perfection, you cannot be afraid to try new things.

This post will break down seven simple tips on how to adopt the right mindset for improvement, from how to learn and practice to how to get the feedback you need to get faster.

Dive Into: 7 Tips for a Better Swimming Mindset

• Tip #1: Become a Student of the Sport
• Tip #2: Practice Mindful Swimming
• Tip #3: Get Real-Time Feedback
• Tip #4: See for Yourself (Use a Camera)
• Tip #5: Have Fun and Experiment
• Tip #6: Find Your Motivation
• Tip #7: Relax!
• Frequently Asked Questions

Tip #1: Become a Student of the Sport

Watch a lot of swimming videos of top-level swimmers, but also of normal swimmers. If you only watch the best, their skills can seem impossibly advanced. Watching swimmers at your own level, like triathletes or masters swimmers, can help you understand the concepts in a more attainable way.

Here are some great YouTube channels to get you started:

• GoSwim TV - for swimmers of all abilities
• Effortless Swimming - for triathletes
• Swim Smooth - for triathletes and swimmers
• The Race Club - for competitive swimmers
• 360swim - from total beginners to advanced swimmers
• Skills N' Talents - for beginner/intermediate swimmers

Tip #2: Practice Mindful Swimming

Technique is not something you learn once and then forget about. The perfect stroke requires constant attention. Stop your mind from wandering all over the place when you swim and instead, focus on how the water feels.

• How much water are my arms pulling?
• Am I kicking enough?
• Am I relaxed?
• Is my streamline tight off the wall?

Tip #3: Get Real-Time Feedback

Ask your peers or a coach to watch you and evaluate what you are doing right and what you could correct. The best time for this is during your workout, so you can incorporate their feedback into your swimming right away.

Tip #4: See for Yourself (Use a Camera)

If you have access to an underwater video camera, USE IT. They are not that expensive and are worth the investment. Film yourself from every angle: front, back, side, and 45-degree angles. Then watch it back. What you feel like you are doing is often very different from what you are actually doing.

Then upload the video to a platform of your choice and feel free to share the link with me. I will provide you with some hints on what to improve and get you swimming properly in no time.

Tip #5: Have Fun and Experiment

Don't be afraid to play around in the water. By playing with your stroke, you might discover a new technique or movement that just works for you. To top it off, swim other strokes than just freestyle. You will see there are many similarities, and adding other styles into your workouts will actually make you faster in freestyle.

Tip #6: Find Your Motivation

To help you stay focused, you can use a simple mental trick. Pretend that you are being watched in every single practice by fans in the stands. They will laugh at you if your stroke looks like crap. Let's see you not think about your technique now!

Tip #7: Relax!

Finally, relax! It is the ease, relaxation, and efficiency of the stroke that makes you go fast, not how many muscles you put into it. Swimming is a constant learning process, so be a good student of the sport and you will reap the benefits.

Happy Swimming!