How do I last longer when swimming without tiring? I can barely swim 50 meters without getting really tired.?

Question

In other words, how do I raise my endurance?

Answer 1

practice is the only bet. so keep on practicing.

Answer 2

Well yes, practice will most definitely help, but another thing is technique.

Make sure your doing it right! And yes, that means having someone with you that knows how to swim well (a trainer, varsity swimmer, etc.) who will help you.

Keep your head in the water and look STRAIGHT DOWN, and breath by turning your hips slighty, shoulders a little more, and head completely. Breath to the side, if you do it correctly you should have one eye out of the water and one eye in. If your breathing forward or swim with your head up, this makes the stroke many times more difficult than it actually is.

Take long easy strokes, aim for 25-30 strokes a lap, and when you get better start aiming for 20ish. To understand proper stroke technique, keep your elbows bent at 90 degrees while pulling. To get this feel, pull yourself out of the water, but stop half way. Where your hands are at (elbows bent 90 degrees, hands out a little bit past shoulders) is where your hands should be while in the water.

I can tell you from experience from being a lifeguard and a varsity swimmer that its much easier with better technique. I swim twice a day for a total of 8-12km, but when I swim for lifeguarding (head out of the water with shorts on) I sometimes find myself tired after swimming 50 or 100 meters

Answer 3

You just have to keep at it.  I was exactly the same when I started training for my bronze medallion.  I was stuffed after swimming 50m but after a few weeks I was able to swim 1km in a session.  Just keep going, you will surprise yourself.

Answer 4

Wow, I have the same problem. Even though I wish there was another way, practice, practice, practice is the answer. Also, you should do some exercises out of the pool also. Like strength training and stuff, that helps also.