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 GuideEverything 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.
Think you need to float to be a good swimmer? Think again. Even Olympic champions can’t float effortlessly - and it doesn’t hold them back. Hi, Mark here. I hope you've had a great week. This week, I’m busting the myth that floating is the key to swimming success. Instead, I’ll show you the real tools beginners need to build confidence in the water. Floating vs. Gliding Floating on the spot and gliding through the water are two very different things. Some of us sink like a stone - and that’s...
Hi, Mark here – I hope you've had a great week! Many children – and adults – learn to swim faster when they stop feeling like they're being taught and start feeling like they're simply playing. That's why games and play can be such powerful teaching tools. For parents, playful activities help children relax, use their imagination, and forget the fears and anxieties that often come with learning to swim. For swimming teachers, games transform lessons into engaging, confidence-building...
Hi, Mark here. I hope you’ve had a great week. If your legs are working hard but you still feel like you’re going nowhere, your front crawl kick probably needs refining - not more effort. A good kick should help you stay balanced, streamlined and relaxed in the water. It should support the rest of your stroke, not leave you exhausted after one length. This week’s guide breaks down how to kick front crawl with more control, better body position and less wasted energy. 👉 Read the full front...