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For those who are dedicated to the sport of swimming and looking to compete at a high level in Canada you're going to need to consider the following for your future success: training, nutrition, routine consistency, and knowledge of key principles. No matter your skill level we are sure a few of these tips will help you on the way as you prepare for your journey to the top of the podium which may even take years.
What Kind of Training?
Training plays a pivotal role in the entire process of qualifying for a swim meet. Training allows you to develop both the necessary skills and physical attributes needed to excel in competitive swimming. Consistent and dedicated training helps to improve your endurance, strength, technique, and overall fitness, which are detrimental to your competitive swimming success.
Training also prepares you for the challenges of competing, including the physical and mental demands of a swim meet. The more prepared you are physically and mentally the easier it will be to compete, especially at a high level. During your training you can also track your progress allowing you to see improvement over time. Tracking your training will also allow you to adjust your training as needed to enhance your results. Ultimately training is the most critical element that cannot be overlooked when aiming to qualify and excel in competitive swimming.
Why is Nutrition Important?
Another element is proper nutrition. For all competitors and athletes, nutrition is yet another cornerstone of success. Oftentimes sports are very demanding on the mind and body and we need to fuel ourselves appropriately to ensure peak performance but we also have to eat a balanced diet that will allow us to recover after as well which is even more crucial as we age.
It is also worth mentioning that overall we should have healthy eating habits as a poor diet can lead to many health problems and weight gain which will have a negative impact on our performance. It is also important that we eat enough as swimmers burn a lot of calories. Weight loss can also negatively affect performance in both strength and endurance.
Ideally we have worked to a certain ideal and we are mostly trying to improve or maintain our current physique. A healthy diet may also keep our immune system healthy and thus we can continue competing and training without taking any sick days off which can really set us back. Nutrition overall is detrimental to your success as a swimmer especially if you are trying to compete.
Do I Need a Routine?
Consistency is another large factor for your success as a competitive swimmer. Success doesn't happen overnight and there is a lot of work behind the scenes that makes it possible. Each new day is another day to get it right or to potentially get it wrong. Huge spikes in results are not seen in the day to day as they are in the long term when we've been consistent. Just as Rome was not built in one day neither is our ability to swim like a fish.
It's not only important to be consistent with your training as it is also crucial to be consistent with things like: diet, your rest, and your sleep. A lack of consistency in any of these categories will spill over into your results making it harder to reach your goal. While it is important to be consistent with training we would like to note that it is also important to get enough rest and down time.
Overtraining may lead to injuries and so it is best to have a structured plan allowing certain days for training and certain days for rest as needed. Stress alone can have huge negative effects on performance. What we're looking for here is consistency that works for each person. A little effort each day can go a long way and get you that extra mile.
Learning Outside of The Pool
Knowledge of key principles is our next building block for success. All the great athletes of our time undoubtedly live and breathe their sport. What we mean by this is that although it takes hard work in action it also takes knowledge and strategy to really excel. Many athletes will study film, be that of their performance, their idols or their competition. You can watch the greats win medals and try to see how they mastered their craft while studying them.
You may also find it to be extremely beneficial to watch your competition and see how they perform, or track their best times. Finally, you can watch yourself! Watching your own training and performances may give you a different view of any potential problems that may need correcting or simply allow you to fine tune and master a specific skill you are working on.
Furthermore a proper understanding of techniques and principles will give you the knowledge to perform at a high level. If we don't have knowledge and understanding of techniques we may develop bad habits that will hinder us when it comes time to perform.
Learn To Swim
Anyone can become a professional swimmer but you may be thinking about hiring a coach or mentor that has experience in swimming and it may be that exact thing you need to reach the top. Some skills take years to master and many hours of practice that some past competitors may have already lived and breath. With any kind of mentor or coach we may also be able to save valuable time and learn from others' past mistakes.
Taking a swimming class and having the guidance of a knowledgeable tutor will also save you plenty of frustration and give you the confidence you need to continue your training. You may also be thinking "Are there swim lessons or swim classes near me?". Well, with Superprof we offer thousands of tutors worldwide. You may simply be able to look up your area and see if you can find someone local or you can get lessons online via webcam.
Get Support Through a Team or Swim Instructor
Finally we have support. Things done by ourselves can oftentimes be much harder for our success. Consider joining a team to root you on and keep you accountable. Having a solid support system will make training more fun and engaging, keep you accountable and consistent and even make your potential wins that much greater. If you really want something it may be best to engulf yourself in the lifestyle and the culture.
If it's really something you enjoy you may find great satisfaction in taking action. Places like community centres, schools or gyms may be a great way to start and a great way to meet other like minded people with similar goals.
Hire a Personal Tutor
If you’re finding yourself stuck, plateauing on your training and just not seeing the results you desire, we recommend looking into a tutor. Superprof tutors are available in person or online via webcam. Simply look through our database of tutors and find the perfect match that meets all your needs and criteria. Shoot them a message and schedule a time. Not only is it extremely affordable, it’s also incredibly flexible and can fit into any schedule. Plus the first class is on us! Have your first session absolutely free to see if Superprof is right for you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to compete at a competitive level in swimming in Canada, it is important to focus on training, nutrition, consistency, and knowledge of key principles. Training is critical for developing the necessary skills, physical attributes, and mental preparedness needed for success in swimming. Proper nutrition is essential to fueling the body appropriately and maintaining overall health.
Consistency is key, as it takes time and effort to see improvement and reach your goals. Understanding key principles and techniques is crucial to performing at a high level, and hiring a coach or mentor can provide valuable guidance and support. Finally, having a solid support system can help keep you accountable, motivated, and engaged in the sport. By prioritizing these elements, dedicated swimmers can work towards achieving success and reaching the top of the podium.
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