Arm wrestling, weightlifting, & swimming

Posted Ella Villas Articles

In the past, we have asked new subscribers to tell us why they subscribed to Tri Swim Coach.

Because of a glitch in our email system, and because of the overwhelming number of responses, we have not been able to get back to all of them.

However, I wanted to bring up a few important ones and respond to everyone here!

Gordon says:

I don’t feel the water, I fight it. I read recently of a coach describing his early swimming as arm wrestling. I describe my swim workouts as weight lifting. I’ve been Masters swimming for two years and my 100 yd time hasn’t changed since I first timed it. I’ve gotten over my terror but still can’t relax and tend to revert to my stroke as a 6-year old. In open water, relaxation is impossible. I just struggle through it. I’ve done sprint, Olympic and one half-Iron. Looking forward to your program. ”

Gordon is muscling through workouts, experiencing discomfort, fighting the water, and stressing about open water.

Does this describe you?

These are the reasons I started Tri Swim Coach initially, and exactly what we teach to get over in our Tri Swim Success program. The idea is to get a good feel for the water, a smooth stroke, enjoyment of swimming and of course, befriending the water.

Murphy says:

looking at getting back to doing some tri, swimming is my weakest discipline I have sinking legs, my catch is non existent and even though I’m quite fit, swimming does frustrate me as it’s all about technique rather than fitness and my technique is woeful so hoping to get some tips that I can incorporate into my swimming for the purpose of improving my technique

Can you relate? Sinking legs and weak pull are 2 of the 3 things we hear people struggling with on a regular basis. The other one is breathing. There is hope, lots of hope for Murphy, as we are focused in on these exact issues so many triathletes face in swimming.

Lastly, Sonia says:

Thanks coach Kevin. I’ve done 3 Ironman but I’m still struggling with my swimming. I can develop the endurance but can’t improve my speed. My IM PR was 1:30 hrs last Sept and I have practiced for 6 years and still this time is frustrating.”

How about this feeling of getting frustrated about not going any faster, despite lots of training?

Yep, we hear that a lot too. Getting faster involves a combination of technique and doing the RIGHT training. Getting faster will usually not just be one thing. Just working on technique for a while is great, but you will plateau.

Intervals will help with endurance, as well as some speed.

Sprints will give you that edge to kick it into the the next gear.

But to give someone general swimming advice is impossible. This is why swim coaching is not something where you give everyone the same thing, where there is ONE plan for success for all, one secret to unlocking the potential for everyone.

However, triathletes do have these specific needs. You may need one, two, or all of the the training modalities I mentioned above.

With Tri Swim Success, we offer a step-by-step solution so you’re not guessing with “general” swimming advice- and you can break down both your stroke technique and training into the specific aspects that YOU need, not ones that apply to the general triathlete- since we all come from different backgrounds, and have different goals.

You can join the thousands of triathletes who have had success- which they define as getting faster, more confident, more competent, and “one with”, or more comfortable overall in the water, by joining Tri Swim Success today.

See you in the water soon!