Whether you are 10 years old or approaching 80, learning how to swim can be an intimidating endeavor--especially if you never learned. Despite its daunting qualities, swimming is an important skill that is worth the effort to learn. Knowing how to swim from point A to point B may mean the difference between life and death in certain situations. In addition to serving as a basic life skill, swimming can be a fun hobby, a competitive sport or a basic, low-impact cardiovascular activity.
Build Full-Body Strength
Swimming requires you to use a variety of muscles from head to toe, including your arms, legs, abdomen and shoulders. To increase endurance, work out and strengthen your entire body by engaging in weight training, calisthenics and aerobic exercise. In addition to making swimming easier in general, you will feel more comfortable in the water and more in control of your body.
Gradual Learning
For those afraid of the water or simply nervous about the process of swimming, know that it is okay to take things slowly. Begin by literally getting your feet wet and gradually increase the amount of your body put into the water. Allow yourself eventually to stand in the water completely and away from the edge of the pool. To calm your nerves, stay in the shallow part of a pool until you feel comfortable in the water.
Kicking
Using the right kicking techniques is essential in swimming. Kicking your feet in the water helps propel you forward; when done correctly, it can decrease your swim times. Practice kicking by holding onto the ledge of the swimming pool. Your body should float to the surface and be parallel to the pool bottom. Keep your legs as straight as possible and flutter them back and forth.
Breathing
Out of the pool, practice breathing techniques with a large bowl filled with lukewarm water. Observe how it feels to immerse your head under the water. You will discover that air pressure keeps water from going into your nose until you inhale; you will also notice how water drips from your nose and mouth after you lift your head out of the water.
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