Articles and Videos
How to Swim Breaststroke Properly
Here’s how to build an efficient breaststroke that will have you swimming faster.
Offseason Swim Training for Triathlon
The optimist’s view of the triathlon offseason holds that the time can be used to come back bigger and better for the next season. Without the pressures and distractions that come with following a race calendar, the offseason can be a tremendou...
Closed-Back or Open-Back: What’s the Better Suit?
There are many decisions a female swimmer might grapple with when deciding whether to purchase a technical swimming suit, and what kind. What's my price point? Traditional or kneeskin? What brand should I opt for?
How Masters Swimming Helped Rewrite the Science of Exercise
Before 1960, no woman had broken 20 minutes in the 1500-meter freestyle. Before 1961, no man had gone sub-2:22 in the 200-meter IM. In less than 60 years, Masters All-Stars Laura Val and Rick Colella would join other elite swimmers who have since bro...
How to Fix Three Common Freestyle Mistakes
After many years of competitive swimming and coaching, I can identify a lot of freestyle mistakes within seconds of watching any swimmer. Here are three of the most common problems I see and ways you can easily fix them.
USMS’s 50th Anniversary: A Movement is Born in Amarillo
As U.S. Masters Swimming celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2020, many people are remembering the pivotal moments that have made USMS the thriving organization it is today. One of the most important early moments in the development of the organizatio...
How Can I Avoid a Stuffy Nose, Runny Nose, or Sinusitis After Swimming?
If you find yourself with a runny nose after swimming, you’re not alone. One study found about 35 percent of swimmers reported temporary nasal congestion after swimming. The symptoms can start anywhere from immediately after getting out of the ...
Can I Swim Through a Torn Labrum?
Shoulder injuries are not uncommon among swimmers and, perhaps, the most common is a torn labrum. If accurately diagnosed and treated, most swimmers can come back from shoulder injuries. In fact, Natalie Coughlin tore her labrum when she was still in...
How Do Swimmers Handle Back Spasms?
Swimming can be a great exercise option if you’re prone to back spasms—the involuntary contraction of lower back muscles.
Does Swimming Help With Weight Loss?
Swimming is an all-body workout that builds muscle strength and cardiovascular capacity and lowers blood pressure and risk of disease—all without the gravity-induced stress and joint pressure that athletes encounter on land.
