Sprint swimming is the key to improvement, says Bath Amphibians coach Ben Matthews When training for a fast swimming time, it’s important to train with high-intensity elements in every session. Even longer, slower sets should have a solid volume of increased resistance training using fins or hand paddles, or be…
Best learned in two parts, the tumble and the turn, this nifty move will make you faster and more fluid in training saving you precious seconds in the pool… Here’s how to perfect your tumble turns in four easy steps: 1.…
Streamline your technique and make sure you arrive in T1 with energy to spare… Most triathletes have a background in running or cycling and so it’s no surprise they usually find the swim to be their weakest discipline. It’s probably why duathlons (run-bike-run) are popular events because then competitors can…
Follow these five tips from coach Phil Mosley to increase your Ironman swim speed… 1. FIND YOUR RHYTHM A Finis Tempo Trainer Pro is a metronome for swimmers. It’s a little yellow device that attaches to your goggle straps and beeps periodically depending on…
Tri coach Phil Mosley offers up some simple workouts across all three disciplines for your sprint triathlon… BRICK WORKOUTS In a sprint triathlon your legs will feel like concrete by the time you run. The only thing you can do to make…
Get your deep-water swim starts right every time… CHOOSE YOUR SPOT Before you even get in the water – at least 10 minutes before the start – head down to the start to suss out your first sighting point, see how the crowd is behaving…
Get your race off to the best possible start by taking your time to get dressed… STAY COOL Wetsuits are designed to be tight and absorb water, so if you’re hot and sweaty you’ll never get one on. Don’t warm up until you’re…
Improve your feel for the water as well as your deep-water starts with this basic but essential drill for swimmers of all abilities. YOUR ELBOWS HIGH A high elbow is essential to front crawl and this drill is a good opportunity to practice. You need…
Use these four exercises to prevent pauses and over-reaching in your front crawl stroke – you’ll save seconds in a few swimming training sessions… FIST DRILL When many of us learn to swim, we are taught to ‘glide’ at the…
Give your swimming power a shot in the arm (and back, and chest…) with these shortcuts… Good swimming technique is so crucial, and so lacking in so many of us, that it’s easy to focus almost exclusively on that and…