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.
Tired and breathless after a few strokes? Let’s fix that
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'Why do I get so out of breath when I swim?' - one of the most commonly asked questions in the pool. There are 2 very common breathing mistakes that many beginners learning to swim are guilty of. Hi, Mark here. I hope you've had a great week. When it comes to breathing technique, whichever swimming stroke is being attempted, there are two common mistakes that many adults make.
What happens when you hold your breath?Breath-holding is an unnatural act for a human being to carry out. That is why some people find it difficult and even stressful. The human body has several responses to breath holding, along with other reactions to being submerged underwater. How we deal with these responses determines how comfortable or uncomfortable we are and, therefore, how long we can spend underwater while holding our breath. Firstly, the amount of air we can inhale into our lungs depends on the size of our lungs. A taller person will have larger lungs, filling them with more oxygen and remaining underwater for longer. While holding our breath, oxygen in our lungs decreases as it is carried away in the bloodstream and used, and the amount of carbon dioxide increases. Carbon dioxide is a waste product, and when a certain level is reached, a signal is sent to the brain to tell you to breathe again. Changes in heart rate occur whilst breath-holding, and the more relaxed a person is, the slower they consume oxygen and, therefore, the longer they can remain holding their breath. Click here to find out how to iron out these breathing mistakes. Fix Breathing Technique For Each StrokeClick the link above to take you to my page about swimming breathing techniques, and scroll down to find links to information about the breathing technique for front crawl, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly. Or just click here if you missed it! Support your swimming lessons with my The Complete Beginners Guide Everything you need is right here at your fingertips. (click here for an instant preview) Discover:
Let my words of encouragement in my book take you by the hand and support you during your swimming lessons. Download your copy today! Click here for more details and to buy your copy. That's it for this week. Stay focused, stay in touch and stay safe. Happy swimming! Cheers Mark 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.
"If I kick harder then I will stay afloat and swim further." ...a common misconception among beginners learning to swim. Hi, Mark here. Hope you're doing well! Have you ever heard a beginner swimmer say: “If I kick harder, I’ll stay afloat and swim further”?It’s one of the most common misconceptions out there. The truth? A relaxed, controlled leg kick is way more effective than a frantic, splashy one. Smooth and steady wins the race—literally. In this edition of Swim Teach News, we're diving...
How do I float? Why do I get so tired? Am I too old? As a beginner learning to swim, you have many unanswered questions, and as a teacher, you are constantly being asked them. There are a few that get asked more than others. Hi, Mark here. How are you? I hope all is well. How can I stand up mid-swim? How can I swim without getting tired? How Do I Float? These are just some of the most common questions I get asked. I have listed the most common questions and links to more detailed answers. I...
Teaching a Child to Swim Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful Hi there, Mark here – I hope you’re doing great! If you’re a parent or swimming teacher, you know how emotional teaching a child to swim can be. The tears and resistance when it’s time to get in the water. The fear of letting go, even for a second. The frustration of lesson after lesson with little progress. The feeling that you’re failing them, when you just want to help them succeed and feel safe. These struggles are common — but they’re...