Better Innovations

Better Living Through Innovation

Ten Ways To Improve Your Swimming Technique

By

Learning to swim can be both great fun and a supreme challenge. Luckily, there are many ways to improve technique, whether you're just starting out or you're looking to take your swimming more seriously.

1. Strength: This is probably the biggest problem for beginners. Swimming uses most of the muscles in the body, all of which need to be coordinated with when to breathe. Core strength is of vital importance in swimming, so sit ups, push-ups and planks will benefit you in the pool and the latter two will work arms, chest and legs as well.

2. Rotation: Many people find exhaustion sets in quickly because they maintain a rigid position from the trunk down through their legs when swimming. Instead, rotate through the shoulders and hips, twisting left when stroking with the left arm, and right with the right arm. This means the body twists through the water and reduces strain on muscles, and you can swim further with less effort.

3. Keep the head down: This applies to all styles. Keeping the head permanently raised above the water causes strain on the neck but also causes your legs and feet to sink instead of remaining near the water's surface. This means you kick down instead of along. The face should be in the water for facedown strokes and the back of the head in the water for backstroke.

4. Goggles:Goggles are essential whatever stroke you are learning. Wearing them will give you confidence to position your head correctly without worrying about getting sore, red eyes from the chlorine. They are an invaluable aid for beginners, who can be prone to creating quite a splash when learning a new stroke.

5. Kick from the hip:Remember to kick from the hip, not the knee. This means moving your whole leg, not just the lower limb. You will generate more power for relatively little extra effort. Keep ankles loose and floppy for maximum force.

6. Floats:Floats are an excellent tool for new swimmers. For instance, those struggling to master the arm movements in freestyle can place the float between the thighs. This will raise the hips and negate the need to kick, allowing the swimmer to concentrate on the arms.

7. Watch other swimmers:If you see someone gliding effortlessly past you at twice the speed you are going, consider getting out and simply watching them for a while. Try to work out what they do that's different and implement it.

8. Get someone to video you:This is for those brave souls determined to improve. Ask a friend to video you doing one length of a stroke and then play it back. Chances are you'll see a variety of ways to improve; remember them next time and focus on one area at a time.

9. Breathing:Exhale constantly when the face is underwater. Holding the breath, even for a stroke, causes the body to tense and perform less efficiently. Aim for a constant stream of bubbles for the whole duration of your face being in the water.

10.Buoyancy:The tenser you are, the lower you float in the water. Stay relaxed, and you'll stay closer to the surface and swim more optimally.

This post was supplied on behalf of Simply Swim the online speedo store.


‘A Healthy Body is A Healthy Mind’: Just One Reason Why We Should Listen to Our Elders.

By

Kick Start a New Way of Thinking

So we’ve all heard the saying ‘a healthy body is a healthy mind’ but how true is it, and should we be trusting that which was originally laid down by our forefathers? Particularly when you think that over the course of history we have believed the world was flat, that intelligence was subject to the shape and size of your head, and that your gender had an influence not only on your ability to learn but also your capability to ‘sin’. However, on this point I think they might have actually got it right.

There are various studies which have gone some way to proving the connection between positive thinking and exercise. So why should being physically active have such a positive effect on your overall well-being and attitude to life? Well, let’s have a look at some of the suggestions that have been placed on the World Wide Web.

Sweating out Stress

As pleasant as it may sound, physical exercise gives you the chance to release all the pent up anger, angst and stress that has been building up inside. It offers you an outlet for your emotions in a way which is positive as opposed to those which are classified as negative i.e. punching a wall or having an emotional breakdown.

So if you are having a stressful day at work then heading to the gym could give you that positive boost that you never thought was possible.

Kick Start Your Positive Mind-set

Never mind getting rid of stress, apparently physical exercise is meant to help you to become better at dealing with stressful situations. It has been suggested that by being physically active, you are better able to deal with situations as and when they arise. So pumping iron or sweating it out on the cross trainer really does have some perks besides that of a toned body.

There are many reasons as to why this happens. One reason is the adrenaline high you get from being physically active, and that overwhelming feeling of accomplishment which occurs after having done some physical exercise, gives you the extra boost of confidence within yourself to handle any situation which is thrown your way.

You may think that this positive mind-set is all in your head, but actually when you do exercise your body releases chemicals called endorphins, which a study at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation proved to induce a feeling of happiness and lower our perception of pain.

Healthy Outlook

Although being physically active won’t stop you getting the odd cold here and there, it will decrease your chances of getting high blood pressure, heart disease and the likelihood of getting diabetes and it is this which can affect your mental outlook.

Having colds on a regular basis or having more serious health problems will understandably affect your mental outlook. Even if you’re a naturally positive person, illness can quickly deteriorate your mind-set, increasing your levels of anxiety, depression and stress.

Yet if you do a little bit of exercise here and there, you may find that you are better equipped to deal with the situation, even if it’s a casual stroll round your local park, or a brief swim in your local swimming pool.

As you can see, being fit and healthy really does induce a healthy mind-set that looks on the positive side of life. So, why not give it a try yourself?

This article was written by Gayle Brown on behalf of The Swimming Pool Store; a professional and reliable supplier of effective swimming pool chemicals.

3 Great Summer Exercises To Get Into Shape

By

Summer is officially here, the days seem to last forever and we haven’t had to even look at our winter coat in months so now is the time to get out there and start enjoying the summer sun and get yourself into shape. There are plenty of outdoor activities you can try that don’t have to cost the earth and that are going to get you fighting fit in no time.

Swimming

Swimming is something that most of us learn to do as children but then never seem to bother with once we’re adults unless we’re on holiday and just having a poolside splash about. Swimming is not the ideal exercise if you’re looking to lose weight but if you simply want to get into shape swimming is a great cardiovascular workout. It get’s your whole body moving, strengthens and tones your muscles and it’s also proven to be a good sport to relax you.

Everyone can swim, it’s a natural instinct but obviously if you’re not confident stick to the shallow water. If you haven’t been swimming in a while start off with an achievable goal like ten lengths of the pool for your first session with only the one rest stop half way through. Try to go at least twice a week and add two more lengths each time you go. Before you know it you’ll have built up your endurance levels, be generally fitter and feel more toned.

Swimming is a great summer sport because on a hot summers day the there’s nothing quite like the thought of jumping into a large cool pool of water. Most towns and cities will have public swimming pools that aren’t too expensive and easy to get to.

Cycling

Cycling is another great cheap sport anyone can try for the summer months. Like swimming, most of us learn to ride a bike when we’re kids and never bother to get on a bike once we’ve got our drivers license. If you’re new to cycling you’re not going to want to rush out to buy a brand new bike but if you ask around your friends and family you’re bound to know someone who has one that you could borrow for a while. Once you’ve got used to the idea it’s easy to pick up a cheap bike online.

It’s very important to remember your safety when it comes cycling, even if you’re not intending to ride very fast it’s imperative you have a helmet and safety pads. It’s also a good idea to invest in a good pair of sunglasses if you’re cycling in the summer, these will not only keep the sun out your eyes but they’ll also keep any bugs out too. Don’t forget your water; it’s very easy to get dehydrated when you’re out for a ride so make sure you’ve got plenty to drink.

Cycling is another great cardiovascular sport which means it’s great for keeping your heart in shape and improving your overall fitness levels. Once you’ve invested in your bike it’s going to be free to ride it and with a little investigation you’re sure to find some great local parks and areas of natural beauty you can ride in.

Running

For most of us the idea of running fills us with dread but it’s the cheapest and easiest sport you can try to get in shape. When the summer weather kicks in it can be a great way to get out in the evenings and unwind after a stressful day in the office. All you need is a good pair of running shoes, if they’re too lose or too small they’re going give you blisters so make sure you’re wearing something that fits properly.

If you haven’t run since high school (or the last time you were about to miss the bus) then you need to start off slow and easy. For your first outing run for a minute then walk for a minute then the next day try running for two minutes and walking for one. If you’re making the effort to get out and run a few times a week it won’t be long before you’ve got a good level of stamina and you’re able to run without getting too out of breath.

Running is another great cardiovascular exercise that’s going to strengthen your heart and it’s also great for weight loss so long as you’re using it as part of a healthy balanced diet. It’s also something anyone can do anywhere, whether you’re just going for a run in your own neighborhood or round the local park, summer is a great time to start running.

 

One of the most important parts of a good workout is making sure you’ve got the right clothing, Surfdome are the online lifestyle store who stock everything from Animal clothing to Quiksilver

About Us

Blog Archive

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Disclosure

Contact Us