In the individual medley races, there are a lot of transitions between strokes: fly to back, back to breast, breast to free where each swimmer could either gain or lose time on the opponents. Usually, the most complex turn is the one from backstroke to breaststroke. In the history of swimming,...

If you swim breaststroke exclusively every time you get in the pool, you could be setting yourself up for a common and painful injury: breaststroker's knee. Many competitive swimmers who didn't train properly in their younger years now suffer from chronic knee pain. Don't become a statistic. This...

Being a beginner swimmer isn't easy. Where do you start? How come it looks so much harder than it is? These are questions I get all the time. The reality is that swimming motions are complex and difficult to master without breaking them down into specific drills. Drills allow you to isolate one or...

Breaststroke is the easiest stroke to swim casually, but it's one of the hardest to swim correctly. The difference between a relaxed "Mrs. Mayor" breaststroke and a competitive one is all in the details, tiny adjustments that eliminate drag and convert every ounce of power into forward motion. T...

Over the years, we've covered hundreds of swimming tips, drills, and techniques. To help you navigate it all, we've dug into our archives to create a roundup of the most popular and impactful lessons ever published on the Swimator Blog. Whether you're a novice overcoming a fear of the water or an...

Walk into any public pool, and you'll see it: the slow, head-up breaststroke with a lazy, wide kick. In the Czech Republic, we call it the "Mrs. Mayor" style and while it might keep your hair dry, it's inefficient and puts a huge strain on your neck and lower back. In the olden days, the stereotyp...

I've been swimming and coaching for many years and one thing that I see the most room for improvement, even in competitive swimmers, is the butterfly and breaststroke turn. It's often the place where races are lost. But with the right mindset and a focus on a few key mechanics, you can transfo...

We've all been told that swimming is the "master of all exercises." But is it really true? The common claims are that swimming works every major muscle group, creates zero impact on your joints, and burns as many calories as running. Let's put these claims to the test. This article will br...

Many of you have asked for some breaststroke workout advice, so here it is. This workout is designed to improve your 50 and 100-meter breaststroke, but the principles will help with longer events as well. Keep in mind that breaststroke is a combination of powerful leg drive and perfect timing. T...

Ever wondered what happens when you combine the two most powerful strokes in swimming? The result is "Butterfrog," an old-school hybrid stroke that merges the arms of butterfly with the kick of breaststroke. While you won't see it in the Olympics, this unique stroke is a fantastic drill for ma...

The breaststroke kick is powerful, complex, and often the hardest part of the stroke to master. You've probably been told to "kick like a frog," but the real motion is much more nuanced. This lesson will break down the mechanics of a proper breaststroke kick, moving past the frog analogy to teach...

The breaststroke arm pull is a sequence of continuous, accelerating movements. Unlike freestyle or backstroke, it’s not a simple rotation; it's a powerful sweep that requires precise timing and technique. This lesson will break down the entire arm stroke into four distinct phases, complete with vi...