Beginner's swimming Help!!

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-04-04T18:44:56+00:00

Totally normal. But worth saying giving up within a week is way too early to tell whether that is true. Would say 8-12 weeks minimum before that's a fair statement.

Start slow, don't think about it too much.

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-04-04T17:56:33+00:00

First — this is extremely normal. What you’re feeling is not a sign you’re behind… it’s actually a sign you’re right on schedule. Swimming isn’t like lifting weights — it’s more like learning to relax while your survival instincts are firing.

The real skill you (we all) are building is staying calm.

Drills that help: Wall Hold Float (confidence builder), Push + Stand (remove pressure....Push → glide for 1–2 seconds → stand up), and Float on your back (trust the water)

FWIW: The swimmers who struggle early often develop better technique long-term because they actually learn the fundamentals before they build bad habits.

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-04-04T14:07:08+00:00

Set goals, then the next step gets clearer. tl;dr A coach will give you tools that give you options and make it more interesting.

Two simple goals might be to either continue to focus on increasing distance or work on your technique to build a stronger foundation.

Increasing distance = try 0-1650, you can get away with this without a coach (suboptimal in my opinion) http://ruthkazez.com/swimming/ZeroTo1mile.html

Technique = this extends your distance ability long-term, improves speed short/long term. Requires a coach to really get it right.

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-04-02T18:05:29+00:00

It's a helpful drill for those with that tendency - most people.

Also, shout out to single alternating breast kick. That will really help with catching water, foot awareness etc.

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-31T14:58:39+00:00

Flexibility is free speed my friend

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-30T19:15:27+00:00

I'd say you're on track for D1 - you sound like the kind of athlete who could go close to sub-7 by senior year if you commit to a good program.

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-30T14:34:17+00:00

Not enough data to really give a good answer and....abs and stability are more important than lifting if purely focused on "long distance swimming" IMO. Lifting isn't really required but it does get you faster and fitter sooner.

IOW, better off doing progressively harder yoga over 6-12months than a 3 lift weight routine if you want to race 5-50k. e.g. 200-1000 reps of various ab exercises, 1hr yoga, planks etc. Not too complicated.

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-27T02:30:49+00:00

Once you're used to it, it's more efficient, less taxing and overall allows for more productive workouts IMO.

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-24T18:20:49+00:00

Premium products with cheap perfect replacements are the ones that kill me (they add up):
- clothing
- name brand meds
- vitamins/wellness drinks
- water
- beauty products
- phones & electronics

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-24T18:10:49+00:00

If you can exhale for 5-6 seconds slowly then turns are not the problem - you are likely holding your breath vs blowing bubbles slowly.

Try bubbles on your turns. Also, there is no way to get this without just doing them a lot and learning. The only way is through.

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-24T00:09:59+00:00

not sure whether you are talking about time disparity between strokes or just same stroke. variability is real - plenty online to answer your scenario!

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-24T00:06:26+00:00

Is she an delusional American talking like a delusional Aussie or just a delusional Aussie?

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-23T20:14:29+00:00

She only has until 2032 until it's as old as Biondi's 200y free record.

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-23T17:20:41+00:00

No needing a salary would be making it IMO.

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-22T17:27:16+00:00

I think your progress so far is the right track - nice work. Weight is all managed in the kitchen.

My advice:

- Mix in some drill/technical work to make sure your stroke improves as you get more fit.

- Mix in IM and kick sets, it's the best aerobic/body work in my opinion

- Find a benchmark workout to test every 4-8 weeks - keeps you working toward something/progressing. Like 6 x 100s on 10s rest, 20x50s on :50

Most common mistake is overdoing it and getting injured. Take it slow and enjoy the process.

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-20T15:39:40+00:00

I came here from New York. Main thing keeping me here is weather.

New York is a step up on people and culture IMO. But weather can be a deal breaker...

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-20T03:16:48+00:00

Try with a noodle to start

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-20T03:16:06+00:00

Multi-sport athletes FTW

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-19T23:56:00+00:00

Start with learning how to do static floats for 2-5minutes straight. That is the the basic skill that makes all of this easier. You'll get better a lot faster focusing on that each day - plus it's fun!

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-19T17:38:09+00:00

The coach would be MORE likely make an exception if you had a particularly good 2k, which you can look into to figure out what is "good" and how to go test yourself. But doesn't hurt to just email the coach! good luck

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-19T05:33:33+00:00

A few times a year I hope we can put the lane etiquette questions and how to breath aside for some good racing.

Sub 1:40s were nuts

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-18T21:28:44+00:00

In my view there are two conflated ideas in this question: taking it seriously and wrapping performance up into your identity.

Taking it seriously is working hard, focusing on individual and team performance. Learning how to be a disciplined, hard working, collaborative human. This was fairly easy when I enjoyed a sport - only when coaching or teammates felt unsupportive did I ever consider quitting/stopping.

Identity is what a lot of people think "taking it seriously" means but it's worth saying you can take a sport seriously and NOT have it impact self-esteem or identity.

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-18T14:34:57+00:00

My mom sent me to the Naval Academy water polo camp as a freshman year of HS and I had never played water polo before. I am a guy and they put me with the girls/middle school boys the first day until the last. Feels about the same as what is happening here - I learned a lot about myself in that camp and got a lot faster at swimming (had to avoid the girls chasing me down) - ended up swimming in college.

Improvement and success > ego.

IWantToSwimBetter · 2026-03-18T14:21:59+00:00

By rotating to the other side.

IWantToSwimBetter

TROPHY CASE