Posts about swim training and workouts
At Chicago Blue Dolphins, we are repeatedly asked the question, “How long does it take to learn to swim as an adult?” It’s important to think of learning to swim as a journey rather than a task. The good news is the journey is faster, smoother, and more predictable than…
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…
What if you could swim faster, feel calmer in the water, and use less energy — in just three months? That’s exactly what many adults experience when they commit to a focused 3 months of stroke refinement lessons. Contrary to popular belief, improving your swimming isn’t about grinding out more…
If your freestyle feels like a fight instead of a flow, it’s probably not your fitness — it’s your foundation. In swimming, the basics aren’t “beginner” work; they’re the blueprint for every efficient, powerful stroke you’ll ever swim. Freestyle 1 is where adult swimmers at Chicago Blue Dolphins learn to…
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…
Every swimmer has different swim training focus at a given time — some want to refine their stroke technique, others want to build endurance, and some are training to swim faster for competition. The key to getting the results you want is matching your current swim training focus to your…
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…
Many adult swimmers head to the pool with good intentions: swim a few laps, get a workout in, and maybe try to go a little farther than last time. While this routine builds general fitness, it doesn’t always lead to measurable improvement. Without structured swim workouts, it’s easy to plateau…
