Front Crawl Fatigue? You’re Not Alone (Here’s Why)


One of the most common questions I get asked by adult swimmers is, 'Why do I get so tired swimming front crawl?

Hi, Mark here. I hope you and your loved ones are doing well.

With holiday seasons just around the corner, many of us will be heading to the pool or the sea to swim in the sunshine. 🏖️
But there’s something that frustrates so many adult swimmers - especially when swimming front crawl:

“Why do I get so tired so quickly?”

Sound familiar?

This week, I’m diving into the real reasons front crawl feels so exhausting and why breathing might not be the only issue.

Most people assume it’s a breathing problem. And yes - timing your breath is important, but so is how your breathing fits in with your arm pull, kick, and body position.

One gentleman recently contacted me after a lane swim. He said:

“Several of us end up completely winded after just two lengths - even though we swim regularly and don’t feel like our arms or legs are tired.”

You’re not alone. I gave him a detailed reply, covering everything from trickle breathing to body shape and stamina.
👉 Click here to read the full Q&A—it could transform your swim.

🏊‍♂️ Want to Improve Your Front Crawl Technique?

If you’d like to go deeper, I’ve created a practical guide packed with:

✅ Simple drills
✅ Technique tips
✅ Common mistakes (and how to fix them)

📚 For Swimming Teachers: Make Front Crawl Easy to Teach

Visit my Swimming Teacher Resources section and discover everything you need to run confident, progressive front crawl lessons:

  • How To Teach Front Crawl eBook
  • ✅ Ready-made lesson plans
  • ✅ Core drills with teaching points
  • ✅ Loads more!

That's it for now. Have a great week.

Happy swimming!

Cheers

Mark

Swim Teach

ps - did someone forward this to you? Subscribe here.

Hi! I'm Mark, creator of Swim Teach

I've been teaching swimming for over 30 years and I built Swim Teach so that I can share all my knowledge, wisdom and experience from the thousands of swimming lessons I have had the pleasure of teaching. Take a look back through my previous newsletters and see what you missed.

Read more from Hi! I'm Mark, creator of Swim Teach
Ready-made swimming lesson plans

Are you striving to make every second count in your 30-minute swim lessons? Maximize your 30-minute swim lessons with expert planning! Hi, Mark here. I hope all is well with you. Are you striving to make every second count in your 30-minute swim lessons? A well-structured plan is the cornerstone of effective teaching, ensuring your students progress confidently and efficiently. Crafting the Perfect 30-Minute Lesson An impactful swim lesson encompasses several key components: 1. Lesson Type &...

How to Swim Front Crawl

Are you ready to transform your freestyle stroke into a smooth and efficient glide through the water? Dive into Freestyle: Master the Art of Effortless Swimming! Hi, Mark here. Hope all is well with you. Whether you’re a beginner eager to learn or a seasoned swimmer aiming to refine your technique, I’ve got you covered. Unlock the Secrets of Freestyle Swimming Freestyle, also known as front crawl, is celebrated for its speed and grace. To help you master this stroke, I’ve broken it down into...

water confidence swimming lesson plan

Whether you’re just starting out or teaching others, confidence in the water is everything. This week I’m sharing 5 essential skills that boost confidence — and a free lesson plan for teachers to help nervous swimmers thrive. Hi, Mark here. I hope that you’ve had a great week and all is well. I am starting the week off with some confidence boosting. This week, I am covering the basics of learning to swim that need to be tackled before fine-tuning any actual swimming technique. 5 Essential...