Beyond training in the pool, swimmers use a variety of methods of improve their lap times. While perfecting your technique is vital to success, use common sense to optimize your performance. Getting enough rest and eating well will go a long way toward success in the pool. Once you've taken care of your body's basic needs, look into the tricks that might shave seconds off your times -- including shaving your body hair.
Front Crawl
Swimming the front crawl improves your speed and efficiency. Of all the swim strokes, the front crawl is the fastest thanks to its streamlined position and continuous propulsion. In professional competitions, this stroke is called the freestyle. Technically, swimmers in a freestyle event can choose any swimming stroke, but since the front crawl is the most efficient, it has become synonymous with the freestyle.
Warm Up
Developing a warm-up routine is an easy way to enhance your performance in the pool. Warming up will reduce the odds of suffering an injury such as a sprain or strain. After a swim session, take time to cool down, which will lower your chances of injury and reduce tension in your muscles.
Rest
Overtraining can result in injury and a decrease in performance. Take time to rest between practice sessions, especially when you experience pain and your body needs to recover. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, as your muscles will grow even while you sleep.
Nourishment
Your body burns more calories than usual during intensive training, so make sure that you eat enough food to make up for it. Also, since you will sweat more during swimming, drink extra water to ward off dehydration. Ensuring that your body has fuel in the form of ample food and water will enable a better performance in the pool.
Shave
Some competitive swimmers shave their body hair to gain every possible advantage. Shaving off the outer layer of dead skin and hair changes your sensory input in ways that enhance coordination, propulsion and other factors. After shaving, you might experience faster lap times and even an improved sense of well-being.
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