Topics specifically related to open-water swimming
Most swimmers think pacing comes from a pace clock or a watch.But the best swimmers pace from the inside out. That’s where RPE — Rate of Perceived Exertion — in swimming comes in. RPE in swimming will act as your internal speedometer, teaching you to feel effort instead of guessing…
Turn your pool time into a total-body fitness plan that builds stamina, confidence, and calm control. Swimming for fitness can be a great addition to your workout program if you know how to do it right. Why Swimming Builds the Best Kind of Endurance Swimming isn’t just another cardio workout…
Drills aren’t just for kids—they’re the fastest way for adults to break bad habits and transform their freestyle. To swim efficiently, you need balance, alignment, and effortless control in the water. At Chicago Blue Dolphins, we focus on three essential drills—our “Big 3 Freestyle Balance Drills”—that build the foundation for…
Not all triathletes start from the same place. Some are lifelong swimmers; others are still figuring out how to stay relaxed in the water. That’s why a one-size-fits-all swim plan rarely works. Instead, a good training program should have a triathlon swim training level appropriate to where you are today…
If you’re a triathlete, the swim leg can make or break your race — not because it’s the longest part, but because it sets the tone for everything that follows. Many triathletes “get through” the swim only to emerge exhausted, disoriented, or discouraged before they even hit the bike. The…
Every summer, triathletes show up at my pool in full-blown panic. They’ve started triathlon swim training and signed up for their first race months ago, but as race day gets closer, they realize: “I don’t think I can finish the swim.” My heart goes out to them. I’ll do everything…
As a swim coach it pains me to say: No triathlon was ever won in the swim leg. But a triathlon can be ruined by a bad swim. If you feel like your swim mechanics are a performance limiter, start working on your swimming mechanics now rather than in the spring. …
The Balance-Streamline-Propel (BSP) Pyramid is about as a close to a unifying icon that the Total Immersion school of swim coaching has in its repertoire. Terry Laughlin, the founder of Total Immersion Swimming, referred to the elements of the pyramid for over 30 years. When he created the icon several…
Last night, I helped coach the last of Lifetime Fitness’ free open water swim clinics for the Chicago Triathlon coming up this weekend. The water temperature in the lake, in the 70s last week, has dropped into the low 60s. Many of the swimmers I led into a sprint distance rehearsal…
I was doing one of the long distance swim training practices that I’ve been writing for my triathletes yesterday, and the main set called for a 1,500 yard aerobic swim. It was a recovery week, so I thought a longer swim would help work out the kinks and help to…
