How can i increase my endurance in swimming?

Question

Hi, im 16 years old and wanted to try out for my swim team. i work out 4 times a week with weight training but dont really have much endurance for swimming. i can barley do a 200 or 100 without taking a rest to breath but how can i help to improve this.

Also if you want to add any beginning swimming tips to help me that would be great too

thank you

Answer 1

the best thing to do is eat bananas, oranges,, and protein also do multiple laps even if your tired

Answer 2

Eat right, hydrate, and practice.  Break your workout up into speed and aerobic workouts.  Start with what makes you tired and commit to adding a couple of lengths a day until endurance is no longer an issue.  Underwater swimming works wonders.  Cross training works wonders.  Get on the team whether you're any good or not (hopefully you won't get cut.)  The coach will help your form improve.

Answer 3

try to get a personal coach or try different drills like swim with just one arm down and the other back...when your swimming dont sprint but work hard...Im a big swimmer and i hope you do well!!

Answer 4

You may be strong because of your weight lifting, but if you haven't done much cardio it's time to start. So run several times a week. Make sure you have decent shoes and start with run/walks and build up slowly. Of course, getting in the pool and doing laps will help. I suspect that part of your problem is your breathing technique. Some people make the mistake of breathing short, shallow breathes on every stroke. That isn't so good. If you are doing a sprint you may not breathe more than once of twice in the entire race (100 yds). When you breathe you want to take a deep breath that really fills your lungs.

As far as being efficient in the water you don't want to roll your body side to side as you take strokes and kick. Try to keep your body streamline. If you are swimming sprints shorten up your strokes and increase the speed of your stroke. If you are doing longer swims reach out so  your stroke is longer. In all distances kick, not from the knees down, but with your larger thigh muscles.

Your best bet is to ask a coach or proficient swimmer to watch you swim and critique your stroke. It takes a lot of practice so don't get discouraged. Keep at it and you will do great.

Answer 5

The best thing for you Chrisp, is doing laps. Lots and lots of laps.

Answer 6

To help gain endurance what you need to do is start out by doing 50s and 100s, you dont need to do them incredibly fast but just work your way up. Another thing you can do to help you not have to take as many breaths is doing the 3 stroke drill, it is where you do 3 strokes then breathe, only in freestyle though, but after you can do the 3 stroke drill, try moving up to the 5-stroke and then eventually 7-stroke. But just concentrate on technique mostly, its important when you're practicing to have good technique so you can develop good habits. But like i said, its best to start out slow and then when things start getting easier, you work your way up gradually.

Answer 7

Weight training isn't good for swimming.  I mean, you have to be strong, but you must keep your muscles in.  But anyways, eat healthy, run cross country, swim laps without stopping, and if you can't build up your endurance for some reason, do short events like ht 50 and 100.  Also, try swimming alternative strokes.  Whenever you get tired, switch to breaststroke.

Answer 8

Increase your lung compacity with underwater activities...

like swim from end to the other with fins do this repeatedly IT WORKS!