| Swimming is not just about the physical elements | | | | Repeat them when you're swimming. |
| such as your fitness, strength and endurance. To | | | | "LONG" and "RELAXED". |
| swim effectively you must learn how to work | | | | When I use this technique with swimmers who |
| with the water and not fight against it. You must | | | | are starting out or have little experience, the |
| learn how to reduce your frontal resistance and | | | | results are dramatic. It's common to have |
| not just increase your power. Swimming fast is all | | | | swimmers tell me they 'finally get it' once they |
| about how you control your body in the water. | | | | experience swimming long and relaxed. |
| The key is to keep yourself 'long' and 'relaxed' in | | | | What do I mean by 'long'? |
| the water. This can be achieved by implementing | | | | Swimming 'long' means to be as torpedo like as |
| a simple yet effective concept called 'Power | | | | possible. You should imagine yourself reaching for |
| Words'. | | | | the wall in each stroke and pulling right back past |
| Power words are words which if thought about | | | | your hip. The longer you can make your body the |
| while performing an action, can improve that | | | | less resistance you will create and the faster you |
| action dramatically. For example, imagine a golfer | | | | will go. |
| lining up to sink a 6 yard putt on the 18th hole. He | | | | What do I mean by 'relaxed'? |
| needs to sink this shot for the win. The pressure | | | | To go faster in swimming, you need to relax your |
| on him to perform is enormous. | | | | body. Contrary to what comes natural when we |
| Now pause for a moment. What do you think a | | | | attempt to speed up, you must relax your arms, |
| professional golfer would be saying to himself? | | | | your shoulders and your legs to increase your |
| "HARD AND FAST...HARD AND FAST" or | | | | speed. Rather than swimming 'tense', relax your |
| "STEADY...STEADY...". | | | | muscles and allow yourself to power through the |
| The latter of course. | | | | water without fighting it. This is absolute key to |
| In swimming it is no different. There are two | | | | swimming fast. |
| power words which if thought about and repeated | | | | During your next workout, imagine yourself |
| while swimming, your swimming will immediately | | | | swimming 'long' and 'relaxed' and instantly see the |
| improve. Not only in the way it feels, but in speed, | | | | benefits. Don't overcomplicate the process, simply |
| in ease and in smoothness. | | | | imagine yourself swimming 'long' and relaxed'. |
| These two words are "LONG" and "RELAXED". | | | | |