It’s well known that if you want to excel in something, you need to put in the time. Competitive swimmers devote a lot of their time to training, usually hitting the pool five to nine times a week. Olympic swimmers train even more rigorously— usually swimming twice a day (land training not included), six days a week.
While you may not need to train as often as an Olympic swimmer, if you want to swim competitively, frequency will play an important role in your progress. This is due to the fact that the more frequently you swim, the more you’re able to build muscle memory, speed, strength, and endurance— all of which are needed in competitive swimming.
Frequency builds muscle memory
Muscle memory is especially important in developing the proper technique. This is why many teachers love to have their students repeat drills. As you continuously practice drills, your body begins to remember the movement so that less thought is required. This means that accomplishing the proper stroke technique becomes natural.
Swimming well is largely reliant on good technique— something every swimmer should have. Having the right technique makes each stroke more precise and efficient, so that less effort is required to travel a certain distance.
Frequency builds speed, strength, and endurance
Frequently training also helps you become a faster and stronger swimmer, and will increase your endurance, enabling you to swim for longer periods of time. There are specific drills to help you with each, and the more often you can practice, the more likely you are to improve. Speed, strength, and endurance training are important for every competitive swimmer, but sprinters should pay special attention to strength and speed training, while long distance swimmers should spend a good amount of time on endurance training.
Depending on how long you’ve been swimming, the focus of your training may change, but the amount of time spent practicing remains the same (if not increases). Frequent training takes a lot of effort and sacrifice, but will surely pay off!
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