Swim Relaxed (And Faster) In 3 Easy Steps

[@petergillett4560]

Watched this video before my afternoon swim today, and tried to apply the relaxed recovery. Well shit, it really did work, the first few hundreds in my main set felt super easy despite hitting good times, well good for me at least. My times did start to drop off by up to 10s per 100m further through the set though, the struggle is now working out where to put the effort in and where to stay relaxed.

[@jdbstriing]

Effort from shoulder to hip as you drive opposite hand into water and extend as your hips rotate to allow hand to exit and shoulder rotates with extension forward on opposite side, it all works together like a seesaw:-)

[@michellec3100]

He said though the relaxed entry would slow down and was more for mid to long distance swimming, not for sprints. 100m for speed relaxed hand entry will slow down

[@erwanbosh3246]

😊😊😊

[@erwanbosh3246]

​@@jdbstriingk😅7😊person

[@hugoapresname]

@@michellec3100Definitely this is not a *speed* optimization, but a conservation of energy. Though lost speed needs to be recovered with the next pull. After my recent *water resistance* optimizations where you concentrate a lot and become generally very *stiff* I will be glad to try to loosen up during recovery. I bet this could optimize my vertical movements, too. In the video I could not see any vertical oscillation 👍❤

[@frederickg.6155]

Never been on a swim team. Literally, I watch your videos, hit the pool and I swim faster. You are a great coach. I frequently get asked if I was on a swim team and for tips on how to swim properly. Thank you much.

[@nadoyvivo6808]

thanks! u r one of the best swimming coach in yt

[@AurelGergey]

One of the most helpful vids I've ever seen. At the end of the day, it's about having fun in the water, and being relaxed is a big part of that!

[@lukeotoole4659]

I watched this video this morning before my swim and man that relaxed recovery is a game changer!! I was swimming 4-6 seconds quicker per 100 and I was less fatigued. I didn’t even realize I was fighting against the water for speed this whole time.. have to remember relaxed is fast! 😂

[@권용대-b5v]

Incredible tips. I had to quit lessons after a few months and these techniques are really helping me to finally learn and enjoy swimming. Huge thanks!!!

[@freeridefried]

Been swimming for 10 years and am stuck at terminal mediocrity. However, I still learn a lot from the videos. Thx!

[@mathewcheruvathoor4693]

Terminal Mediocrity ! Now that's the term that I've been searching for ! 😁

[@mathewcheruvathoor4693]

Going to try Brenton's points out tomorrow, see if I can extend the limits of my "mediocrity"..

[@カノエリ]

いつも的確なアドバイスに感謝しています🎉 いかにリラックスできるかですね。 明日、さっそくサークルで試したいと思います。

[@davidsafely732]

Really new thoughts on something, I know a lot about. I'm a big believer in "efficient" swimming, meaning "less wasted effort", for longer faster swimming, with less effort. I'm going to add this to my training... once I get back in the pool. Thanks for sharing. Keep it up!

[@Jack-dv1tr]

Thank you for always putting up such great quality videos, I'm sure I speak for many when I say my stroke has improved massively because of this channel. Keep up the superb work!

[@cristinaluchetta6827]

OMG, thank you so much. I watch lot of tutorials online to improve my swimming. I try my best to follow. Today I've tried your suggestions to swimming relaxed. I noticed I was faster, no tired, breathing normally. Ever thank you +++

[@jojijosette5946]

Great video as always Brenton. Thank you. You truly are the BEST swim coach on youtube. I swim freestyle nonstop, a mile a day. I keep getting better because of your videos.

[@EffortlessSwimming]

🙏

[@jojijosette5946]

@@EffortlessSwimming I had a Coach, for technique. He was an Olympic swimmer, now 36 y.o.. Youre a much better Coach than him Brenton. He is a sprinter, Im a long distance swimmer... as a Coach, he is very limited by the racer's mindset. Whereas you are more well-rounded because u can coach sprinters and long distance swimmers. Yup, btw, we are from Los Angeles.

[@LarilissLiss]

Excellent training tips. After swimming those exercises, working on different parts of stroke separately, I have better understanding of the movements, better feel of the water and pull. And swimming free is definitely more relaxed and effective and fun.

[@jojijosette5946]

Thank you Brenton. You're the best swim coach. I love your videos. I get better and better because of your coaching. Writing from Los Angeles, CA.

[@pcchost]

This vid really helped when I first started I had to stop in the middle of my 400, now I can finish 1st thank you so much for helping me improve 😊😊😊

[@pedropetersen5267]

Great video clip with simple explanations. Easily understood and will definitely do these drills. Great content for me, as I am starting and trying to perfect my freestyle swimming at age 60. This is the best and my only subscribed swimming channel ❤

[@shanesod]

I really liked this video, I have shared this with the Triathlon club I am with, and also offered to help new members understand your philosophy , you are a fab coach and the way you break it down makes it very easy to implement ideas and changes, thank you. .. I live in Ireland on the south coast

[@herbertwu1927]

Relaxed recovery is really a good idea. I found that it is especially good if you swim for a longer distance than you usually do.

[@rachelfagan2101]

Had a really positive training session this morning after applying some of these.

[@phxrsx]

Brenton without your videos I don’t think I’d be able to even attempt this Ironman Arizona coming up this November. Thank you so much for doing these videos.

[@EffortlessSwimming]

Good luck for the race!

[@miketucker2658]

That two strokes with a paddle drill is great. Great video. Thank you

[@thomasspielhofer3229]

Perfect timing for me as well - found myself getting too exhausted this week trying to swim 1k, so I've started trying to relax more. I watched this video before my morning swim today and managed to do 1.25k easily and could have done more. So useful. Oh and my condolences to those in lockdown ... I know how you feel. Not being able to swim for months and months last year was really hard!

[@martinrea8548]

The first time I went back to the pool after six months of lockdown I couldn't do two lengths one after another. It made me very sad and hateful of governments but after a week or two I was back up to pre-lockdown distances. Still, I won't forgive them for stealing my time over some bs flu.

[@brucejohnston6184]

Yeah, videos are gold. Thanks. When I come to Melbourne I'll book a session

[@wailwong8712]

Thank you for your tips, everything you say and teach applies to what I need to improve/work on.

[@anthonygoyon8145]

Thank you sooo much for theses advices! I can swim 1km without being out of breath!! Especially since i have a handicap on the left forearm.

[@nigelmeek1038]

Great video as always. I've taken a leap forward with my swimming by watching your videos. Thank you.

[@maxaudi2804]

Great teaching session! Thank you!

[@timwatson6689]

My favourite swimming channel. This guys approach is just brilliant. Well done.

[@nikitaw1982]

Thank U. As reaching forward after entry other arm delivering a bit of force so makes sense to be streamline as possible at that point

[@M.-.D]

After doing sprint triathlons at school I gave up swimming unless at the beach, I hated it. Recently I set a personal goal to get more rounded with my fitness and hoping to get involved at a local SLS club. These videos have been great for motivation and to assist in prioritisation of efficiency in technique rather than increasing effort - which is what I am used to with sports and weightlifting.

[@mbz5152]

In my experience relaxation comes from slow but steady exhalation, while I focus my conscious effort onto my back, and as I pull through the water I pull with my back. It doesn't get tired, it's by far the strongest muscle group, and once I got a proper feel for the water and also developed a mind-muscle connection with both sides of my back, I can glide forward firmly by using my back, instead of using all sorts of muscles and exhausting myself unnecessarily. An other thing that came to mind is trying to maintain a continuous movement through the water, instead of stopping in-between each stroke, if that makes sense. So by the time my rear hand stops pushing forward, I would already start the pull, or at least the catch, so that I wouldn't lose momentum.

[@EffortlessSwimming]

One thing I didn’t mention here was breathing but this is often where we’d start. That’s why it’s our first Core Principle - Breathe Deep and Relax

[@allydea]

But if you're starting your catch already when your other hand hasn't even started the recovery, then it means you can't be reaching forward that much, so you're going against one of the key points of the video.

[@baraklevy3344]

awesome videos, i just started swimming a while ago and with these videos i have improved very efficiently. thanks

[@danielcercasgarcia3044]

Thanks for to show this very nice and illustrators examples in this video greetings

[@lazarddiankson1400]

Thank you for the excellent tips! I'm new to swimming having started lessons in January. I used to run mostly but having taken up swimming I find I get the same feeling afterwards, but swimming just kinder on the joints. I love ❤️ it! Keep up the excellent work!👏

[@vickicross3831]

For what it's worth I'm in exactly the same place you describe. Just took up swimming after 40 years of running and I love that it's gentle but I'm still slightly sore and tired after a good swim.

[@CrzBoarder]

I find sometimes my easy relaxed warmup laps end up with a faster pace than my actual workout.

[@rg7035]

Ha! Glad I'm not the only one

[@sha7tab]

Me too 😅🙋‍♂️

[@faustovrz]

Yup, my warmups are my fastest too.

[@jarekmalinowski6176]

Ditto!

[@edjeoranje4865]

Haha same here

[@jayalanlife5926]

This is the first of your videos that I have watched repeatedly, thank you so much. Cheers Alan

[@jonathangorman1873]

For this morning's swim I focused on a more relaxed recovery and reaching forward further before moving to the catch. The net result was an appreciable difference in pace taking me from 1:45/100m to 1:42/100m over 1km. I also noted that my fastest laps were those where I took fewer strokes which, to my mind, reinforces the idea that gliding forward in a streamlined position by extending forward on entry is more beneficial than going straight into the catch as I think I was doing before.

[@daglobe]

sometimes gliding is the sweetest part! and i often forget it!

[@allydea]

I don't mean to burst any bubbles, but if you're relying on a sports watch to track your swimming, it might incorrectly detect the turn, which will cause some laps to be "shorter", i.e. less strokes and less time (meaning you're not actually faster when you glide more). I notice that a lot with my Garmin Swim 2. It's a shame too, cause checking how "evenly" I swim a longer distance was one of the main reasons for me to get it.

[@nikitaw1982]

Thank you. 27c and sunny in Brisbane, wonder where my closest pool is.

[@thierrywilbrandt2102]

Awesome video which I found quite helpful. Thank you!

[@mariecrisp7229]

HI from Stockholm. Thanks, will give it a go. Trying to avoid shoulder pain with by dragging fingertips and no high elbow entry.

[@bartschneider3496]

Great Drills! I like the 1 arm free drill with a kick board in the outstretched hand. I'll use that for 1 arm butterfly too.

[@azizsahnoun7344]

Brother I love it, you’re making me progressing a lot with your videos. This is incredible. God bless you thanks. I downloaded the app but unfortunately I don’t have the money right now to stay on it for the 1year subscription. But you’re making me reaching my goal to become a firefighter and then I’ll buy it bro and start triathlon. I went from hating swimming to loving the fuck of it. I can’t wait for my next seshion. Thank you Fares ❤️❤️❤️💪💪💪🤝🤝

[@loveliverpool95]

Good drils for warm up. We will do it. Get well with your cold and take care.

[@masonv45]

I liken the recovery to swinging my arm forward by the shoulder muscle/twisting of the torso. Using as little effort as possible to get the arm forward. Similar to standing and attempting to slap someone with the back of your hand - but with a totally numb arm from the elbow down. This action automatically has the elbow leading forward and slightly bent.

[@stagepicsvideo]

Great videos, been watching on the tv for a while, which doesn’t give the the chance to like etc. Cheers :)

[@mcneelynorman1]

Your videos never fail! Your point about swimming being a balance between relaxation and effort could actually be applied to many, if not most sports (and probably most of life). I boxed for a number of years and as I now seek to improve my swimming I wish I had been aware of this philosophy back then.

[@czesstaciwa72]

Hi Branden. First off I would like to say how much I have enjoyed your video's I have found them very useful. It was after watching one of them I realised what I was doing wrong. Over the years I have really struggled with freestyle. If fact I was inept. The issue I was able to identify was the position of the head as the hand goes into the water. My timing was completely out. As a result I was gasping for breath and fatigued after 50 metres. By ensuring the head was in the correct position I am breathing much easier gliding more and am swimming quicker. Needless to say I am enjoying it more. Many thanks

[@arnoldseligmann7217]

I have today broke my mark thank to this video. I could have done more if I didn’t run out of time. Relax and feel of water!!

[@darosen4601]

Great video

[@chrisechezabal]

This has to be one of the single best complete explanation I’ve ever come across. Than you!!

[@natashajohnson186]

Not outta lockdown Brent . It’s been almost 3 months !!! I’ll probably need floaties that’s how long it’s been ! 18 October is the date for us in Sydney. Hang in there Melbourne we feel you’re lockdown frustration too . But great vid Brenton , of course I’ll have to revisit this vid in a couple of weeks when I’m allowed out of my lga . That was really clear I can see in my minds eye where I need to improve on entry to water , but I’ll have to get in to the pool to assess and adjust . YOURE THE BEST . Hello from Sydney

[@safetime100]

The best style ever, thanks

[@shaiadler6806]

Great video! Would you be able to do a video on pacing? been struggling to figure it out. Thanks!

[@bhushankarnik7948]

I encountered Rotator Cuff Injury in my right shoulder after completing my daily free style swimming practice . Right shoulder pains a lot. Although I immediately visited my orthopaedic doctor who has prescribed medication and rest to shoulder for 21 days, I would like to know if I will be abe to swim again after recovery. What precautions I should take. During my recovery can you recommend any shoulder excercises which will help in the recovery of right shoulder pain . And after recovery what precautions should take if I start swimming again. I am 60 years old . And started swimming in last 6-7 months. Please advise me precautions to avoid this shoulder or any injuries from swimming . Thanks

[@cattuccinofung8376]

excellent tips, thanks.

[@mandrek7]

Really, i have learned a lot from you man, thank you

[@noobswimmer11]

Thanks for lesson.... it work ❤

[@laurentiutudorie6604]

Great video! Thanks a lot!

[@pamelapelletier2065]

Thanks! Going to try this today!

[@EbicheskayaSilaa]

great drills!

[@kevinbishop6582]

I would like to see a video that addresses how a swimmer can determine and then improve upon their own Physical shortcomings when Trying to swim their most fundamentally sound and efficient freestyle. I have been swimming a lot of freestyle for a long time and continuously working on my stroke technique, watching video instruction, incorporating drills, etc. I realize that when swimming freestyle everyone incorporates their own physical abilities and style into the way they choose to Swim. What I would like to see is some instruction that incorporates how to recognize the Weaknesses within the physical portions of your stroke that are going to you likely allow you the most improvement by really focusing on strengthening this portion (or portions) of your individually unique kinetic chain.

[@freespirit7328]

Very nice practical tips,Bro!

[@cannonball9478]

Great video thanks

[@markmcfadden7428]

Thanks great information

[@slide4180]

What I've noticed in my swimming is that kicking basically slows me down, acts as drag. When I wear small fins on my feet, and don't use them, their flotation effect really helps me glide through the water. Is my kick just too weak? Do I need to think about technique on the upper half of my body?

[@pocketcharts12]

Front quadrant free- semi catch up- Wait to take your pull, -- claw the water , meditative swim-, mindfully… Breathe naturally and relaxed … Rotation , one goggle out of water … Let legs drag - toes pointed and kick just to get legs up, occasionally-- Yoga/swim! Enjoy each stroke ! Try to go slow… It is not a race - Think of each body part -- Have fun Interval training, … Do 50’s and stretch at wall- Take 10 seconds rest and think about your stroke ,,,, Or- swim a distance - Do open turns and push off gently-- So much to think about- Great video Any thoughts??

[@RickMartinYouTube]

Timely - thanks -definitely effortless swimming in those tips👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@joeyapp5028]

Great video- excited to try the drills, thanks for the help

[@insanebrain213]

Nice tips!

[@savjag007]

How do you engage your core and still have a relaxed swim? Engaging your core creates a certain amount of tension in your abs and a relaxed swim involves releasing tension.

[@petermcdevitt3984]

From 0:21 to 0:41 ..... THAT is what I am trying to swim like. What a great stroke. Wow. Ohhhhn how I wishni could be that fluid and smooth. Practice practice practice. Oh yes, the rest of the video is great too. But i want a 20 minute loop of that stroke to emulate :) As always Thank You for great content. Am doing the 5 day catch program starting this week. :)

[@jm6734]

Thanks for a very useful video. Off to the pool now 😊

[@matthewsmith1180]

Well good teacher! Very interesting and inspiring! I'm off out into our local freezing flooded River where lots of people have drowned recently 😂🏊‍♀️ that will be fun! I will be aware of my composure and my relaxed elbow slap and loose fingers at shoulder width apart while the dark murderous currents take me to the abyss that is the botty of the river Severn Worcester!

[@endakis1]

tha fuk

[@frannelk]

Just came back from the pool, sometimes I feel that my kicking is not sync with my strokes and this mess up my swimming.... At the beginning of the video I saw the swimmer (maybe you) just kicking at the same pace of the strokes, I think that efficiency will keep you relaxed while swimming. In 4 weeks I passed from being a survival swimmer to swim normal, and I can see my progress everyday, I just set some routine and stick to a week training, let's see how good I will be at week #10

[@aleks1845]

It looks so easy but I bet I mess it up tomorrow at the pool as usual 😆

[@derricklaychuk8965]

Thank you for the effort you have put into these amazingly informative videos.

[@hugoapresname]

I bet this will really help me. I am very stiff and so sink down a lot by doing recovery tightly to the body and I feel I have to rotate a lot for that. Rotating costs energy *and* speed too since it usually increases kick amplitude😅

[@kaaralex]

love that outdoor pool 😛

[@AB-xx1lj]

Cheers, mate. This is so useful.

[@alexnotprof528]

I can't wait for the pool to re-open in Melbourne to practice all this!

[@jennylindblom2146]

This is such a helpful video for me as a beginner. Watched it a few times already and watching it again now just before my swim to try these three things out.Greetings from a cold Sweden :-)

[@easydrafting]

Thanks for sharing techniques, I am unable to breathe during laps, I tried multiple times to bring my face outside from the right, as soon as I brought my face out I have to stop there itself, any advice..

[@synXero]

Hello! Love your videos. I find one of my weak points is my lead arm. I find the lead arm shoulder gets stressed out with “lifting” my arm to parallel. It’s going too deep otherwise, but it adds loads of fatigue to force myself to be high enough for a better streamlined glide. Not sure how to improve this? Thanks for your amazing KZbin content. I sprint about 1:15/100m ish, I swim about 1:30 on a quick 100m, and I do about 1:45-1:50 on a long distance swim.

[@User2013-db2fc]

Thank you!

[@maithinh3212]

Nice tips, btw, how do we stay relaxed when breezing abs, and glutes ?v Any tip for this ? Thank you

[@patgallant-charette]

Another great video! Thank you!!!

[@kristinehorn6402]

Brilliant!

[@Randdannoura9115]

Very good

[@anabarbaraforjaz7468]

I swim in the sea, so I am not always able to follow some of the recommendations made, especially regarding the proposed exercises. But one thing I complain about is muscle tension in my shoulders and neck. I try to relax the movement when I notice it, but I don't always succeed. Some advice?

[@mysticproduce705]

Thanks

[@deandrefletchman996]

It works thanks

[@AdamHelb]

Can I ask you what brand of fins he's using at 4:50?

[@VABigRing]

I have felt like I am sinking…almost drowning….so frustrating. I have done a couple half distance, oly’s and sprints, but cannot seem to go more than a couple hundred yards without stopping. I end up doing a breast stroke in the pool or OWS. This really hit home and today, I swam 750 yards without stopping….!

[@RubiksTimmey]

Thanks!

[@3Max]

Do you have a more in-depth video on the entry? 5:10 "From knuckles to elbow" is a pretty wide range -- is it better to enter closer to knuckles, closer to elbow, right in the middle, or doesn't really matter? Thanks for all the great content, it's really helped me become a better swimmer!

[@johnrichards3773]

nice lesson

[@kramconley7972]

¬ 6.34, the swimmer r/s breather > l/arm higher in the reach phase ... thanks for the video, mark

[@alan102549]

Regarding drills, My question is this; if we expect to learn and gain muscle memory from drills shouldn’t we have an immediate equal distance of freestyle swimming putting that drill practise into play? In other words, shouldn’t a 25 or 50 meter drill be immediately followed by 25 or 50 meters of freestyle swim stroke that concentrates on putting that specific drill lesson into practise? I personally do a 25 m fingertip drag followed by a 25 m freestyle that focuses on my “recovery”, similarly I do this with all drills. I have seen swimmers do drills quite well and then in their main set revert to old bad habits because they haven’t implanted the muscle memory of the drill lessons. It seems They are just going through the motions of drills. Please correct me if I’m wrong ... Al.

[@EffortlessSwimming]

I think that’s a good approach. At the end of the video I mention that in your warmup if you do these drills to do normal freestyle immediately after them

[@alan102549]

@@EffortlessSwimming Thankyou sir for your response, you’re right you did mention that, but some of us at older folks (I’m 72) need to do a 200 meter warmup (breast stroke and backstroke) before drills, I forgot that not everyone does that.

[@docmatt6954]

Great video-my problem is when I relax and reach like you describe, my cadence slows to 48-50spm. How do you increase cadence and stay relaxed at the same time?

[@ZMOK1000]

Same here.. bump

[@gammeldansk]

Awesome video as always! Will write this as a warm-up on the next masters workout with the team :) Thanks