There’s only one way that you’ll be able to find yourself in the next Summer Olympic Games to swim the breastroke… As every good coach will tell you it takes Practice, Practice. and more practice. Or more specifically breastroke training, training training.
Olympic swimmers, such as Michael Phelps and breaststroke world record swimmers, such as Brendan Hansen who is known as the fastest breastroke swimmer in history, have achieved such a high level of accomplishment in large part due to their dedication to regular training and repetition of the basic swimming fundamentals. The person who knows that well is Jeremy. In his native state of Michigan, Jeremy swam competitively for sixteen years. Starting from the age of 5, he continued to hone his skills until he achieved all-state honors four years in a row. Jeremy continued competing through college level before deciding to move on to other things in his life. However, he never got too far away from his sport, and today he’s with Troy Swim Club as a swimming trainer and coach. While the breastroke was not his strongest stroke, Jeremy has plenty of advice for those who want to take their breastroke technique to the next level. Essentially it’s a matter of building strength in order to do the fundamentals even better.
In order to kick harder, Jeremy recommends doing exercises outside the pool to strengthen the legs. He also says that weight machines that work on a system of pulleys are the best to use to make your legs stronger.
In fact, Jeremy adds, that the weight machines that really work the groin muscle help kicking strength even more, especially for what is known as the “frog kick”, which is used in the breastroke. Leg extensions, squats and any other type of exercise that will help to work your hip “flexors” are also helpful, according to Jeremy.
Don’t forget about working on your arms by doing both bicep curls, as well as triceps kickbacks. Bench presses are another great exercise that should be added to your routine, as it will really help to strengthen your chest. How often should an advanced breastroker work on weight machines? Jeremy’s recommendation is, “Plan a minimum of 3 workouts each week.”
For weight training, however, there are certain times and places that are more advantageous than others. According to former breastroke champion and master swimming coach Wayne A. McCauley, McCauley said many coaches tell their athletes to taper down their weight training in the weeks leading up to a race. His own training regimen, though, is somewhat different. McCauley’s own training routine is directly dependent on his own vertical leap. According to his website “Getting Stronger for Faster Swimming,” McCauley notes that his vertical leap improves 6 to 10 inches when he quits weight training in the weeks before a race. He said this gives him an advantage in the start and during turns over swimmers who keep up weight training.
Another important element that McCauley considers to be important is diet. Most people have heard about the large amounts of food that competitive swimmers are known to eat, especially during a competition. The reason for this is that just 30 minutes of doing the breastroke can burn as much as 300 calories. As Jeremy tells it, you can eat anything if you swim. However, even swimmers can overdo it. The old adage about waiting an hour after a meal before swimming is true. So don’t eat a seven course meal right before your advanced breastroke race or you’ll sink like a stone and finish dead last. Nor should you guzzle down energy drinks or soda as they will interfere with your body’s chemical balance. Champion swimmers usually have coaches who encourage staying at no more than 3,000 calories, plus eating a lot of protein. For swimmers that want to learn how to move up to the highest levels of competitive breastroke swimming, repetitive practice of swimming basics is the best way to train. Performance evaluation levels created by the National Safety Council have been listed in their “Learn to Swim Program” and can show you the difference in levels for pros and amateurs.
The Body: Amateur swimmers are allowed to bend their bodies while doing the breastroke. Expert breastrokers may not.
Feet: Novices have the choice to keep their feet together or not. Expert breastrokers must have their feet and legs together and streamlined during the glide.
Arms: Beginning swimmers have to make sure their arm movements are paired and elbows bent. With pro breastrokers the arms are allowed to be shoulder width only, and their elbows must be bent as well.
Breathing: Novice swimmers are not evaluated for their breathing pattern but expert breastroke swimmers must have their mouths at the water’s surface to inhale and they must exhale when their arms are extended during the glide.
Coordination: Novice swimmers should try to coordinate their kick and pull; more advanced swimmers may alternate their kick and pull but expert breastroke swimmers must have “strong coordinated propulsion,” the National Safety Council’s guidelines say.
The best way to hit your benchmarks is having a mental picture of exactly how the moves look. One example Jeremy uses is a dolphin’s motion as it moves itself through the water. This will also have an effect on the motion of your upper body. Picturing this will help you to lift your chest and shoulders and dive forward on each stroke. Focusing on keeping your position as streamlined as possible during the glide will help you to improve your kick. You can get the most out of your glide if you hold the position for a second before you begin the next stroke in the pattern. Jeremy says that the best advice he can give to a swimmer that wants to achieve a more advanced level is to get involved with a Master swim club and become a member. The USMS Masters Swimming (USMS) is currently listing over some 50,000 members at over 500 clubs all across the country. Adult swimmers that want to increase their skill level can join these clubs to participate in clinics, workout sessions and even competitions. The USMS Official Website states that approximately 30% of its membership is comprised of regular competitors. The recent Masters World Championship had more than 7,000 participants.
According to Jeremy, you just can’t beat the opportunity, education and experience that you can get at a Masters Swim club for improving your breastroke skills to an advanced level. Plus, you’ll get all the camaraderie and support from being with people who share your passion. It’s always a challenge to make it to the upper levels of a particular sport. It requires continual practice, and being willing to commit to whatever is needed to have a your body in the best shape you can. Another factor that swimmers need to take into consideration is the big role that genetics can play in relation to your body type, strength and ability to become a champion breastroke swimmer. By paying close attention, and incorporating these tips, you can be sure to have the odds on your side.