How To Get In Shape By Swimming Video

Get in shape by swimming! There are numerous techniques and avenues for the swimmer who wants to get in better shape. Get expert tips and advice in this swimming video.

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Diet, stretching, & attitude are important
Understand breathing techniques
Know limits
Join a team
Work on endurance
Do underwater drills, water aerobics, & water polo

About this Author

Phillip Toriello has 16 years of competitive swimming experience. 12 of those years he has been teaching and organizing swim events for swimmers of all levels and ages. He is has competed in all four strokes, and their corresponding events. Though his favorite race, is the individual medley. Phillip is the Aquatic Director at the high end Avila Bay Athletic Club.

PHILIP TORIELLO: Hi. My name is Philip Toriello, and this is how to get in shape by swimming. Much like with other sports, getting in shape is not just about exercise. It's about a healthy diet, proper stretching, and a healthy mind, really having a good attitude about what you're doing, eating a proper diet, and really researching the techniques and skills required of what ever sport you are doing. Nothing is different with regard to swimming; in fact, there's almost a lot more going on. What you're dealing with is a body of water where breathing is important and where your head is often submerged in the water, so it's a really a key to pay attention to those factors, understand the breathing techniques, and also learn about what your limits are most importantly. Some of the exercises that you can do to get in shape in the water include joining a swimming team, shortening your intervals, doing a lot of yardage, and kind of mixing them up between the two. If you want to develop power and strength, work on your fast-twitch muscles, do sprint workouts. If you want to develop long-endurance-type skills, then go ahead and do endurance-type workouts, work on your distance. Work on 200s, 400s. 800-yard swims and just get into a nice steady pattern. That way, your heart rate will stay steady, you'll increase it, it'll stay steady, but you'll be able to sustain your swim for a longer period of time. Another exercise that will help with your lung capacity is doing underwater swims. Other ways to get in shape as far as swimming is concerned includes aqua-aerobics believe it or not. It is a form of water exercise and incorporates some concepts of swimming. There's also water polo-type workouts where you can swim with your head up above the water and you're focusing on your torso, your shoulders, your back. You would be amazed at the difference that you'll feel, the difference between swimming and water polo, and how you'll feel as a result or change in the workout routines from standard swimming lying down prone and then just putting your head up, which will put more attention on your shoulders, your lats, your back in general. So learn more about getting in shape through swimming. Go ahead and inquire through your local swim coach and or swim instructor.

How to Get in Shape by Swimming Video

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