How can you learn to swim for longer?

[LinkxPeach]

I can only swim for a short time. What exercises do you have to do to swim longer?

[DaveJord]

As someone who is an excellent swimmer and always has been I don't know what to tell you. But I always did a lot of swimming, and more I did it the longer I could swim without stopping. Got to master the breathing. I have done up to three miles of open water swimming. In a pool I can go until I get bored. After about 2000 meters I call it a day. 2000 meters is like 80 laps in a standard 25m pool. 40 laps in an Olympic sized pool.

- First off you got to get streamlined in the water. Do not get in and start wailing windmill style, nice easy strokes, legs together kicking in sharp quick short movements. Never bend at the waist. Right arm Left leg kick, Left arm Right leg kick, and don't worry about speed because your going for distance. You should be stroking one right then left once per every second. Stoke count 1, stroke kick count 1, stroke kick count 1... as you get better you will stroke faster but you got to get the coordination down first.

- Second off you got to master swimming with your face in the water and breathing every other stroke then every 3rd then to every 5th. Master turning your head to the right and breathing every other right handed stroke, then work on breathing to the left every other stroke. Stoke/kick breath, Stroke/kick, Stroke/kick breath.

- Third off once you master breathing, then start with the altering strokes technic, breathing every 3rd stroke/kick breath right, stroke/kick. stroke/kick, stoke/kick breath. Then work up to breathing every 5th stroke right 1-2-3-4-5, then Left 1-2-3-4-5.

- Breathing causes you to lose your streamline... so don't lift your head out of the water, just turn from side to side but always keep you head in line with your spin. If you lift your head to breath you torso will sink, and when you turn your head to breath it needs to be quick short movement while keeping it as parallel to the water surface as possible. Always turn your head to the opposite side of arm stroke, so if your stroking with you left arm turn to the right while your kicking with your right leg. You have to exhale through your nose when your head is in the water... then only breath in when you turn your head to the side. If you can not breath out through you nose then breath out through you mouth when you head is in the water. DO NOT try to breath out and then in when you turn your head left or right.

It takes some degree of coordination and timing and a lot of practice. Open water swimming is way more difficult so keep it to the lap pools at first.

[viaamtrak]

Depending on which stroke that you use, usualy a reasonable amount of weight work and running will help. Weight work will increas the ability of your arm muscles to work more efficiently. Running will build up your oxygen debt reserve, so that the muscles will stay oxygenated during a swim. It has been taught that one quarter mile of swimming is about even with a ile of running. Read Dr. Kenneth Coper's books. He was an Air Force flight surgeon who oxygen debt very well.

[SecretsofKB]

Cardio workouts are where you need to focus. Two easy ways to improve your cardio are running, and well, swimming.

Keep swimming. Each day you swim, try to push yourself to go 30 seconds or a minute longer. Eventually that will get much easier and you will increase your swim time.

[Bee-Hatch]

Do more swimming. It's practice and building up endurance.


If you're really concerned - take a few lessons with a professional teacher. They'll check you've got good technique and advise how to improve.

[123hello321]

Long distance swimmer here.

The best way of doing it is improving your technique. You'll be surprised how a good technique can improve your stamina (better technique = less drag = better endurance)

Second, try to keep a high pace during swimming practice. All long distance swimmers have one thing in common : they always swim at a constant high speed during practice and tire everybody else in the lane. You need to make your body used to getting tired.

See, before I became a long distance swimmer, I thought they never get tired. Once I became one, I realized it's about embracing the feeling and welcoming it with every stroke. Everytime I felt getting tired I would just push harder to keep the same speed. Few months later, my body got used to being tired (you feel the tiredness in your body and you feel your body pumping through it).

Good luck !

[viaamtrak]

Great point. Many of us get slppy as time goes on. It never nurts to have a friend observe you swim and correct your form and technique. Efficiency of movement uses less energy, and enhances endurance.

[Chazmatazz269]

The hardest part for me was getting my breathing right. So the first thing i did was learn to backstroke so i could keep swimming for the endurance even when i was struggling with my breathing. That’s the extent of my advice cuz i’m far from expert myself. Maybe you can find a master swim class in your area.

[slatyb]

Maybe take a class and learn to be more efficient? Otherwise just keep swimming and it will get easier.

[hunterzoloman655]

Depends if u use ur legs to swim more or ur arms for me I would workout lower and upper keep it balanced most importantly I would do breathing exercises too since for most if not all u have to hold ur breath

[Saville_Row]

I'm in the same boat as you. I would say that I learned by now that breathing is everything.

Also leaving the practice five-ten minutes after everyone in my class. Just for the practice.

[Drumlin2001]

You need to improve cardio, find a swimming pool and swim. You'll get fitter slowly

[erandal]

Practice and exercise. I would go running for stamina and weights for strength. You should speak to a professional trainer for advice first though.

[AviatorTom]

Swimming is the best exercise. Each time you swim, try to go just a bit longer, and vary your stroke.

[love_conquers_lust]

If you want to float effortlessly, put on fat.

If you want to be lean, lose weight and replace fast twitch muscles with slow twitch for endurance.

[Changiis07]

I believe running can expand your lungs and maybe some breathing exercises

[EaterPeter]

Keep trying to swim nore every day. And make sure to take enough rest as well. In between the laps or otherwise. 12 3 30 may help increasing endurance. Stay hydrated. Drink coconut water.

[Twalli]

My mon started this swimming thing called Total Immersion and is really good at swimming. She can swim for several miles at a pretty good pace.

[blondfrog]

Learn to float and the right way. This will already put way less strain on your muscles.

[Anonymous]

Definitely need to build your stamina up, I have the same problem because I don’t swim often, just have to do it more often and push yourself each time while pacing yourself

[dragoblack]

Swim every day to work on endurance

[FilmGuy93]

You just have to start swimming, man.

[Blueeyes81]

Swim more and for longer. Become a duck.

[LiamSawyer]

Swim more!

[Anonymous]

You do that by gradually increasing your distance.

[Redstang88]

Swim more 🤷‍♂️