Correct Your Core For A Speedier Swim

I love cars. I have spent a lot of years working on all kinds of cars. Really, really cool ones like a 69′ Pontiac GTO Judge. And really lame ones like a 88′ geo metro. No matter what the car was, I always tried to make it better by working on it. The same goes for my swim technique.

Speaking of swimming, I noticed I wasn’t going as fast as I wanted to. I took a look under my swimming cap and checked for ways to go faster.
Here is the biggest problem I found: my core needed correcting. If you think you may have the same problem, here are some ways to get it tuned up!
 

first things first

First of all, what is your core? I have seen a lot of workout videos that focus on it and a lot of weight loss drugs saying I can get a tighter one… but really what is it?
Your core is basically all the muscles in your torso. These muscles act as stabilizers for your body and transfer force from one arm or leg to the other.
They can also generate movement. So, the moral of the story is that they are really important for movement.
 

let’s get down to the  nitty gritty

The two biggest problems that can slow you down are a weak core and poor body position.
If you’re not strong enough, you can have trouble moving as smoothly and quickly as you want.
But even if you’re strong, if you’re holding your body the wrong way, you can create a lot of drag for yourself and slow way down.
 

let’s Fix it

The good news is there are many core workouts you can do to fix this problem.
If you go online, you can find hundreds! But I like workouts where I don’t need any equipment and I can do it anywhere -even pool side if I want. So here are my favorite core exercises:

• The Plank: Get in push-up position then drop so you are resting on your elbows and your toes. Then, squeeze your abs and buttocks so that you keep a straight line from your head to your feet. Try holding for 30 seconds. Next time, start to increase the duration you hold this pose as you get stronger.

• The Superman: Lay on your stomach with your arms above you and tighten your abs and buns. Then, raise your left arm and right leg and hold for a count of 4. Repeat with the other side. Try doing 4 sets then adding more.

Next, let’s get that body position in line, shall we? As you swim, you should try to think of a rod that runs down your spine (keeping it straight). If your back begins to arch, that means you are falling out of alignment. This will create drag which makes more work for you.
Keeping your core tight and tucked in will make you streamlined and help you speed through the water.
 

One last thought

Keeping your core tight and in shape will help fix your engine and you will be hitting records in no time at all.
Remember, if you ever need help going faster, music will always motivate you. So, be sure to pick up an Underwater Audio Waterproof iPod Shuffle and bring your music wherever life takes you.
If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them in the section below.
Swim fast and have fun!