The freestyle stroke is the fastest, most efficient stroke, because it maintains the body in a streamlined position with the limbs able to apply constant propulsive forces due to the arms alternating action and the continuous flutter action of the legs.
To swim freestyle fast you need to start with the correct technique.
QUESTION: Hi Gary, I’m currently training to do pro ocean lifeguarding for this upcoming season. I need to do my 800m pool swim in under 14mins. I’m a good swimmer and I currently swim this sort of time but I wish to improve. Can u give me any advise on how I should be training each week? […]
QUESTION: Gary, Fantastic site, thanks for all your tips. Both my 10yr old boy and 5yr old girl practice fly using your stages technique. I have a question. My 10yr old boy wants to enter a 400IM at his County Championships in March 2014. He can swim a 200IM in 3:25 and 100IM in 1:28. […]
QUESTION: Hi Gary, I was just wondering how it is best to pace 400m freestyle and also the 200m’s free, back. breast. I am asking because I am a sprint swimmer I often find myself struggling with these distances which I think is probably due to my pacing. Thank You, James ANSWER: Hi James, The most […]
QUESTION: Hi Gary Can you please explain the reason why you use flippers when training? And is it better with flippers or with out? Anne ANSWER: Hi Anne, There are many reasons why flippers are used in swimming. These can be summarised as follows: Using flippers will improve a swimmers body position and their technique. When […]
QUESTION: Hi Gary, My name is Sineth, working as a swimming coach in Sri Lanka. I have, age 13 – 15 years old girls and boys In my squad. Their holding 1:03.00 to 1:07.00 they (PB)100m freestyle times long cause meters.. My goal is to swim under 58:00 to 1:00.00 for them. I was planning […]
QUESTION: Hi. I am 11 yrs old my last 50 free sprint meters was 35.33 I am trying to get to 30 or under but recently I’ve been noticing getting very tired in a 50 and my dad was a competitive swimmer and says I need to be breathing a lot less but I cannot […]
QUESTION: Hi Gary, I have an 8 year old daughter who has been doing squads for one term. We have noticed that she stops a lot during freestyle laps complaining of being out of breath. On talking to her and the coach she apparently forgets to bubble as she is concentrating on her arms and […]
QUESTION: Hi Gary, I’m 17 years old and last year I was on a swimming camp and became very fit and the next week I went 57.1 in my 100m freestyle. I haven’t been able to even break the 58 barrier in the last year ! Any advice ? This is also the same for […]
Now I am going to disclose that I know Ian Pope quite well and in fact was his roomie at the Trials when he made his first Olympic Swim Team as a coach in 2000 for the Sydney Olympics. It was a very exciting time for Ian. I have admired Ian’s ability to work with […]
If you have troubles breathing when you swim freestyle, you will love this short video. Todays question is from Lisa and Lisa would like some information on breathing in freestyle. Hi, my name’s Gary Barclay and today’s question is from Lisa. Lisa writes “Hello! I’ve just started swimming freestyle for a week, and I’m trying […]
