How do I swim faster?

Question

I have to swim 300 metres in 9 minutes, but I can't because:

a) there's always other ppl in my way that are really slow

b) I'm not a very fast swimmer

c) I get tired and slow down

d) turning takes a long time, no space for flip turns

any tips?

Answer 1

do some glute and ab exercises.  my suggestions are leg raises and hanging leg crunches for ur abs and weighted step-ups and lunges for ur butt also try some flutter kicks for ur hamstrings.

Answer 2

Try working on long swims to build up your endurance and also try working on an open turn (touch and go). As for people being in your way, if they're going to slow and won't move out of the way and you can't get around them. Run them over.

Answer 3

Practice.

Answer 4

You can have a instructor watch you swim, and then tell you how to improve your form.  Just swimming will improve your speed after while, but you need to do several laps at your own speed for awhile.   A couple of weeks of swimming and you won't trier as quickly.

Answer 5

The most important thing to remember is to relax and breathe.  Most novice swimmers tire quickly because they aren't breathing properly.  Make sure to breath out fully before taking the next breath.  

Try getting to the pool during lap swim times to practice.  Try doing sets of 10 x 100s taking :30s rest in between, holding the same time for each 100.  If you can hold a 2:00 average for the set you should have all the endurance you'll need.

For technique advice go to http://www.goswim.tv - they have hundreds of FREE videos, articles, etc that will help you swim faster.