Swimming, often the Achilles’ heel for many triathletes, doesn’t have to be a daunting task of endless laps. Use these 3 strategies to enjoy swimming more. They will help you not only tolerate but enjoy your time in the pool, boosting your swim training for triathlon success:
The repetitive nature of swimming can be monotonous, but music has the power to transform your experience and help you enjoy swimming more. Invest in waterproof headphones and create a playlist that energizes and motivates you. Research suggests that listening to music while swimming can enhance focus, reduce perceived exertion, and increase enjoyment, ultimately leading to more consistent training sessions. Listening to music “can help improve the quality of your workout by increasing your stamina and putting you in a better mood.” (Source: National Center for Health Research).
A pull buoy is a training aid. Additionally, a pull buoy is a tool to help refine your stroke mechanics and build upper body strength. By isolating your arms and removing the kick from the equation, you can focus on improving your technique and body position in the water. Contrary to some beliefs, using a pull buoy isn’t cheating—it’s a strategic way to enhance your swim training by allowing you to swim longer and more comfortably, fostering a positive association with swimming. As a result, you’ll enjoy swimming more.
Consistency is key to improvement in any sport, and swimming is no exception. If swimming isn’t your favorite discipline, committing to more frequent sessions can help change your perspective and help you enjoy swimming more. Gradually increase your swimming frequency from two sessions per week to three or more. This incremental approach not only boosts your swim volume but also accelerates skill development, confidence in the water, and overall performance gains.
We coach many athletes on their swimming. It helps them stay motivated, accountable, and inspired to swim that extra lap. We have in person swimming coaching and online triathlon coaching.
When you utilise these 3 strategies to enhance enjoy swimming more, you also transform your attitude towards swimming, which can significantly impact your triathlon journey. By incorporating music with waterproof headphones, utilising a pull buoy for technique refinement, and increasing your swimming frequency, you can turn swimming sessions into enjoyable and productive training opportunities. Embrace these strategies to enhance your swim training, overcome any barriers to enjoyment, and propel yourself towards triathlon success.
Implement these tips to not only make swimming more enjoyable but also to elevate your triathlon swim training to new heights. Happy swimming!
We're Coaches Jacqui and Oliver Saxon, the Animis Coaching Team.
We are a mom and son coaching team who have changed our lives through the sport of triathlon. We aim to break down the mysteries of triathlon training and show you, the avid traithlete, how simple and flexible it can be so triathlon training really does become part of your lifestyle and not just a hobby.
