Types of tapers

Taper is the period of training prior a major swim meeting during the season. Taper starts immediately after the most intense training has ended, and the swimmers continue with reduced training that will supposedly allow them to recover and superadapt. Up to this day there are three categories of tapers that competitive swimmers use.

Four easy steps to freestyle [video]

Today's post is about freestyle and how to learn it for the beginners or improve it for intermediate swimmers. It’s something I wanted to post for a long time now but since the swimming facility in my home town was closed for eight months it was impossible. In the following video I present 3 freestyle drills that will help you learn how to breathe properly and how to move your body during this stroke. Before you start practicing these drills you should be able to balance in the water and can put your face in the water.

Neck pain in swimming

One of the most common injuries in swimming is neck injury. Although swimming is a low impact exercise, it depends heavily on technique. That means that swimming badly will affect not only your speed and efficiency but will also lead to pain and stiffness. Neck pain and headache can be the result of several factors associated to your technique. Swimmers who suffer from neck injuries feel a constant, dull ache that may be present in the back of the head, top of forehead, behind the eye, in the temple region or less commonly, around the jaw or ear. Usually associated with neck pain, stiffness and difficulty turning the neck. Other symptoms may be present such as numbness, dizziness, nausea or light headedness.

Aqua fitness equipment

According to the Aquatic Exercise Association there are five types of equipment that professionals can incorporate into their aquatic programmes. All professionals should know the proper use of equipment, which means understanding the function, purpose, limitations, properties, safety factors, and biomechanics of the equipment.