As part of our series of tips and training advice we will take a closer look at how you can get swimming. It’s often the part of a triathlon that people fear the most, but swimming can actually be really good fun- you don’t even have to learn the crawl for triathlon if you don’t want to! With the NHS Fun Triathlon with Bolton Council fast approaching, there is no better time to dive in (or push off) and improve your swim stroke. Here are some ideas to help get you started:
First of all you better find your nearest pool!
The wonders of the internet make it really rather easy to find your local pool or lido! Simply follow this link, type in your postcode and hey presto – a comprehensive list of your nearest swimming facilities!
http://www.swimming.org/poolfinder/pools/search/
Get fit, log your progress, ask an expert…
The very same website has a host of free resources and links to help you get swimming, from training ideas to diet and nutrition advice- you could spend hours reading through all the information available – just don’t forget to actually put what you learn into practice!
How ‘Smooth’ is your stroke?
Another one of our favourite resources is www.swimsmooth.com which among other things has a really useful animation of Mr Smooth – demonstrating the perfect swim stroke! Speed him up, slow him down, view him from head on or from above – this cool moving graphic can come in handy if you just want to check what your head or hands* should be doing. Check out the Swim Smooth book too!
*or any other part of your body for that matter!
Just want an easy to follow 10 week plan?
Then look no further, we have a dead easy free swim training plan right here on the NHS Fun Tri site- you are welcome!
