Training and Technique

Take your swimming to the next level with tips to perfect your stroke, prevent injury, and become stronger in the water. Learn key drills, skills, and sessions for open water and pool training. Tailor plans for events and challenges. Develop awareness through self-analysis. Experts share knowledge on everything from bodysurfing to bilateral breathing so you can become a proficient outdoor swimmer.

Basic swim training: a quick guide for beginners

Pool-based training sessions can be confusing and intimidating if you’ve never swum in a club environment. Here’s a short introduction…
How to train for winter swimming events

Racing in cold water is very different to dipping, says Simon Griffiths
How to practice your swimming technique in cold water

Open water swimming and triathlon coach Richard Mowat finds cold water ideal for focusing on swimming technique
Do you swim more like Bobby Finke or Pan Zhanle?

Look at the difference in average speed for standard race distances for top swimmers and then compare with your own…
Improve your swimming technique for next year

Paul Newsome explains why stroke technique matters and how to improve it for next year's open water swimming season.
Why and how to develop your swimming pacing skills

Your pacing may have more impact on your overall swim time than your fitness. Learn how to control it for…
What are the best pool drills for improving open water skills?

You can still work on your open water skills when you're training in an indoor pool. Swimming coach Cassie Patten…
Masters swimming: get ready for the pool

Add a new dimension to your swimming with Masters racing, says Simon Griffiths
Expand your range of swimming gears

Swimming slowly could help you swim faster
The art and science of tapering

Swim coach Paul Newsome explains the science of tapering – and how to arrive in peak condition for your next swim challenge
Six ways to get more horizontal while swimming

Improving your body position will help you swim faster for less effort
How to train in the pool for open water success

American Olympic hopeful Ivan Puskovitch speaks about the training regime that earned him his place in the Paris Olympics
How can I train to swim long distance front crawl?

British freestyle swimmer and open water coach Cassie Pattern has advice for a 79-year-old swimmer training to swim the Henley…
Take your front crawl outside

Adapt your swimming to open water: sighting and navigation. Simon Griffiths has your guide.
MySwimEdge – Using technology to swim faster

We caught up with Igor Shlyonsky, founder of MySwimEdge to learn how his technology helps swimmers analyse their technique
Going long distance

Paul Newsome, Head Coach at Swim Smooth, shares his smarter approach to training for long-distance swims.
Winter freestyle refresher, part 5: putting it all together

Reflecting on the various components covered in his front crawl refresher series – body position and balance, breathing arms and…
Freestyle Refresher, part 4: Unleashing the power of your legs

Simon Griffiths has the fourth part of our guide to reviewing and refreshing your front crawl stroke this winter –…
Move of the month: Kettlebell halo

This move improves shoulder strength, mobility and stability and is also great for boosting core strength as well as grip…
9 ways to become a faster swimmer this year

Becoming a better swimmer happens through deliberate and long-term focus rather than any radical overnight change.
Do you need rest days from swimming training?

We answer a reader’s question about rest and recovery in a swimming training programme
Winter Freestyle Refresher: Part 3: Using your arms in front crawl

Simon Griffiths has the third part of our guide to reviewing and refreshing your front crawl stoke this winter
How do I perfect my swimming catch?

There's more to swimming fast than having a perfect catch but it's worth working on
How I train: Hector Pardoe

Olympian swimmer Hector Pardoe gives us an insight into his training regime, including sprint technique and prepping for wetsuit racing.
Move of the month: Alternating superman

This is a great core strengthening exercise that involves minimal movement but improves strength in both the lower back and…