We have always heard that swimming is the most complete sport, and in fact, it is indeed so because it is an aerobic exercise in which most of the body's muscles are involved (precisely two-thirds of them). Swimming is very beneficial because it enhances strength, endurance, and flexibility.
Swimming can be practiced at any age, so no matter if you are in your twenties, thirties, or fifties, its regular practice will bring you benefits in the medium and long term.
Also, don't worry. If you are still a beginner in swimming, here you can find the best tips for starting to swim with the right foot (or rather with the right stroke?). Whether you want to improve your health or fitness, discover the best ways to learn to swim! Ready to dive into fitness with water workouts?
Swimming Lessons: Discover the 5 Ways to Learn to Swim!
1. Feel like a fish in the water!
If this is your first time swimming, gradually becoming more comfortable in the water is crucial. And how do you gain confidence? By achieving small, achievable goals! We recommend that you first explore the pool's shallow end and stay where your feet touch the bottom easily.
You can submerge your face in the water with floats or boards and blow bubbles while exhaling through your nose or mouth.
2. Start going up and down
Once you feel more comfortable in the water, and even if you are at a shallow or medium depth in the pool, submerge yourself little by little to exhale, and you can continue leaning on a wall or board. Hold on to the wall and start going up and down, breathing through your mouth out of the water.
Gradually breathe and go underwater to exhale, always exhaling through your mouth or nose when underwater. To come back up, squeeze your legs together and inhale.
Once you feel comfortable in the water, try bobbing up and down. Try staying underwater for another second or two to learn to hold your breath as you get more comfortable.
3. It's all about learning to float!
Floating is one of the most critical factors in learning to swim. To learn how to float, we recommend that you do the supported belly float, that is, adopt the horizontal floating position by holding the pool's edge. And how to do it?
Standing, touching the bottom, and holding on to the pool's edge, lift your feet, trying to bring them to the surface without letting go of the edge and extending your arms. Then, once your body is in a horizontal position, you can inhale, put your head under the water between your arms, and hold for a few seconds in this position. And finally, bring your knees to your chest and throw your head back to return to your initial position.
Once you feel comfortable, you can start learning how to float by letting go of the pool's edge using arm floats or flexible foam bars. And beforehand, you can venture into floating on your back.
4. Learn to propel yourself in the water
It would be best to let go of the wall slowly to propel yourself through the water. Learning to push yourself through the water will help you move efficiently and feel comfortable in the water. Using a board and positioning yourself horizontally in the water, you can rest your feet on the pool wall, practicing pushing off the wall to maintain your forward momentum.
Put your feet on the ground and get into a vertical body position to slow down. Gradually begin to propel yourself without the help of the board.
5. Start practicing swimming with a board
Staying in the pool's shallow end, and with the help of a board, push yourself off the wall as described above. But now try kicking with your legs while pushing off.
Applying all the swimming principles previously learned, and of course, at the beginning with the help of a board, propel yourself across the pool horizontally, trying to kick for a longer and longer time, and float when you feel tired. Holding on for more extended periods will be a big step forward!
How should a beginner start swimming?
Learning to swim takes time and practice; however, you will develop your coordination, flexibility, and muscle strength over time and improve your physical condition. However, before learning to swim, one must consider some primordial factors: gaining water confidence, breathing, buoyancy, and propulsion.
- Gaining water confidence: The initial adaptation process in the aquatic environment must gradually be discovered to become confident in the water. So it is crucial to take your time and not be in a hurry thinking that you must swim like a professional athlete during your first lessons. Look for a certified coach to ensure you are in the best condition to start swimming.
- Learning to breathe: Generally, the first exercises in the water are focused on practicing static breathing, i.e., to understand how to hold and release air when submerged. For example, we can start by breathing, putting our head underwater, and letting it out.
- Floating: Floating is another quality of water that favors the displacement of the lower and upper limbs. Although coordinating the movements and breathing at the beginning can be a bit complex, you can choose to perform partial flotation exercises (for example, holding the edge or a partner) and previously proceed with the global flotation (with the help of a board, floating churro).
- Propulsion: Finally, propulsion is the action that we perform with the upper and lower limbs to overcome the water resistance and thus be able to move. To learn to move autonomously, it is usual at the beginning to lean on a board or a float.
Not everyone is comfortable in the water, and feeling scared during your first lessons is entirely normal. However, an accredited swim instructor can guide you painlessly through each stage and instill the confidence to keep moving forward. Also, do not worry if you need help understanding these concepts. Your accredited swim instructor will be there to answer all your questions and concerns.
How many lessons do you need to learn to swim for adults?
Learning to swim in 20-25 hours of lessons is possible for adults without physical limitations, covering basic swimming techniques such as floating, diving, and learning to venture into free-swimming style.
For example, if you get a half-hour weekly lesson, you could swim in a year, so we recommend encouraging you to swim more days per week to progress faster.
Now, every swimmer learns at their own pace. If you are already athletic, you will learn to swim quickly because your physical condition will favor the process.
On the other hand, if you are not generally physically active, your progression may be slower. Also, you will require more effort if you live with health conditions such as overweight or mobility problems.
However, with enough practice and dedication, there is no reason why any adult cannot learn to swim, mainly supported by an accredited swimming instructor. Discover the best fitness swimming workouts!
Getting Started with Swim Lessons!
Although swimming coaches are unregulated professions in Canada, we recommend paying attention to the swimming teachers you want to hire to learn to swim the top swimming strokes, as maintaining your safety and physical integrity in the water will always be a priority. Do you know where you can find the best private swimming teachers? At none other than Superprof!
Superprof is the best online platform for private instruction in Canada and over 45 countries, where you can find the best swimming professionals in just a few clicks. Visit the Superprof Canada website and enter that you want to learn "swimming," then select the city where you are located.
Are you ready to become the next Michael Phelps? Go ahead, tiger!
Wrap up!
Swimming is a complete sport that improves strength, endurance, and flexibility. Whether you're in your twenties, thirties, or fifties, swimming is for everyone, and here you'll find tips to get you off to the best possible start.
From getting comfortable in the water to finding enjoyable water workouts to float, propel yourself, and practice on a board, each step will bring you closer and closer to achieving your fitness and endurance goals.
Although there may be initial fears, a certified swim instructor can guide you smoothly through each stage. You'll see exactly the guidance you seek at Superprof, Canada's best platform for finding swimming professionals. Master basic swimming techniques from anywhere in Canada!
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