Summer is the perfect time for a swim. And while you’re at the beach or the pool, why not improve your swimming technique? You don’t need extra swimming lessons or to be buddies with Aquaman, there are simple ways to make you a better swimmer. Whether you swim for sport, fitness or as a hobby, take note of these easy swimming tips.

Redefine your Swim Kit

If your swim kit includes just any other swim wear, aqua shoes or slippers, most likely you’ll be ‘just any other swimmer’. Take it a notch higher by choosing high performance stuff in your swim kit. For instance, Speedo swimwear is known for enhancing swimming performance. Its swimsuits are designed to be hydrodynamic, allowing you to swim through water with the least possible resistance. The swimsuits are lightweight and durable too.

Invest in some goggles, too. If your eyes are sensitive, a pair of goggles can protect your peepers. Some pools have high chlorine content so goggles are a good idea. You can check out goggles, Speedo swimwear, as well as aqua shoes and accessories at your trusted online shop.

Remember to Relax

‘Relax’ is usually the advice you get when you learn how to float. But it’s something you should consider as you try to be a better swimmer. How will relaxing work? When your facial muscles are relaxed, you can breathe better. When that happens, you bring in more oxygen to feed your muscles. Speaking of muscles, relax them too. Tense muscles hinder performance and may possibly lead to injuries. Remember to keep your hand loose but your finger pressed together.

Rotate Rather Than Thrust

Some swimmers thrust their shoulders when they want to swim faster. What happens is they increase their chances of injury (ouch!) or burn themselves out during the process. Instead of forcing your shoulders, rotate your body. When you do this, your core, lateral muscles and pectorals do much of the work providing more strength and you don’t get tired easily. The great thing about this is you get to exercise your core. And a great core is what swimmers need to help them get better.

Reenter and Glide

In other sports, movement is one fluid motion. Basketball players dribble then pass in one motion, runners have a continuous motion, cycling too. But in swimming, though it may not seem so when you watch swimmers, there should be a brief break between strokes. It’s not an actual pause, but a change in technique. As your arms reenter the water, glide, don’t rotate your arms like it’s a windmill. This cuts down swim time, adds speed and you won’t tire as much.

Hips Don’t Lie

What’s the role of your hips when it comes to swimming? Well, they will be great for propulsion, like you’re a torpedo. When you kick, don’t put the emphasis on your knees. Let your knees relax instead and use your hips to push you forward. When you try this for the first time, you will probably be sore, which means you did it right. Good job, by the way.

There you go, simple tips which are easily doable. Now, stop reading and start looking for swimming stuff so you can head on to the water to test the tips out.