This page has all the swim articles we’ve written since launching YourSwimLog.com in 2013.
There are over 1,000 articles on the site, all looking to address the question, “How can I help you swim faster?”
To answer this, the swimming articles that populate YourSwimLog.com cover a span of topics, from nutrition, to mental training, to swimming workouts and sets for swimmers, to swim and pool gear, and a whole lot more.
This site includes content on:
- Swim Training Tips
- Swimming Workouts
- Mental Training for Swimmers
- Dryland Workouts and Exercises
- Nutrition Tips
- Swim Gear Reviews
The mission is simple: to help you unleash some serious high-performance on your swimming, whether that means hacking your practices or learning how to stay cool and collected when you are stepping up on the block. Or, just finding the right pair of swim goggles.
Dive in, poke around, and get more from your time in the pool.
Swim Training Tips
Swimming faster in the pool requires attention to detail, including swimming with excellent technique, using the right tools for getting more from your swim practices, and more.
Do Late Night Swim Workouts Ruin Your Sleep?
Does hard training later in the day change how you sleep at night? Here’s a look at how swimmers respond between the sheets after an aggressive late night swim workout.
How Accurate Are Swim Watches for Tracking Heart Rate?
How reliable are swim watches for tracking heart rate? Here’s what the research says and how they compare to chest straps and optical sensors.
How to Use Music to Improve Stroke Tempo in the Water
Music is a powerful tool for working and improving stroke rate. Here’s how swimmers can use a good playlist to manipulate tempo and improve their freestyle.
Can Listening to Music Improve Swimming Endurance?
Does music improve swimming endurance? Yes—but the type of music you listen to matters.
Why Swimmers Need More Sleep (and How to Track It)
Sleep is one of the most powerful performance tools swimmers have. Here’s how it impacts performance—and how you can track recovery to train harder and swim faster.
Why Swimmers Should Track Swim Training (and What to Track)
Tracking your swimming isn’t just for elite swimmers. Learn how tracking your swimming can boost performance and what to track.
For more articles and guides on how to improve swim technique and get more from your swim practices, click here.
Swim Workouts
Looking for some swim workouts and sets to take your training and race-day performance to the next level? Here is a huge collection of swimming workouts for every type of swimmer and goal.
A Simple Pull Set for Pace Control and Pull Power
Great sets are often the simplest. Here’s a pull set to sharpen pace control and pull power.
27 Workouts for Swimmers (Beginner to Olympian)
From first-time lap swimmers to elite competitors, these 27 workouts give every swimmer a structured, purposeful session to build speed, endurance, and technique.
A Race Pace Set for Winning the Back Half of the 100 Freestyle
This tough 100 race pace set from Richard Quick teaches swimmers how to sustain speed when rest disappears and fatigue hits hard.
A Sprint-Focused Workout for Explosive Underwaters and Closing Speed
Looking for added speed? Here’s a swim workout designed for explosive underwaters and closing speed.
6 Sprint Sets for Swimmers (Speed, Power, and Technique)
Level up your sprint speed with these proven sprint swim workouts. Build power, sharpen tempo, and master the mechanics that make you faster on race day.
3 Swim Workouts with Drag Chutes
Looking for swim workouts with a drag chute to bolster swim speed and hone technique? You’ve come to the right place. Let’s “chute” for improvement and faster swimming.
For all of our swim workouts and swim sets, click here.
Mental Training Articles
Looking to elevate your mental game in the pool? From goal setting to developing epic levels of confidence on race day, learn the secrets of peak mental performance in the pool.
Plateaus for Swimmers (The Complete Guide)
Plateaus for swimmers can be frustrating and demoralizing. Learn what they are, why they happen to swimmers, and how you can physically and mentally break
How Elite Swimmers Perform Under Pressure (Complete Guide)
Struggling with pressure in competition? Learn how pressure works, why swimmers choke, and proven strategies for handing pressure when it counts.
Burnout for Swimmers (The Complete Guide)
Burnout for swimmers starts long before you feel checked out. Learn what burnout is, what it looks like, how it impacts swimmers, and what swimmers
Pre-Race Routines for Swimmers (The Complete Guide)
Pre-race routines are a proven tool for better performances on race day. Learn what it is, why swimmers should use one, and how to build
Mindfulness for Swimmers: How to Stay Calm & Focused When It Matters Most
Mindfulness for swimmers is a tool for better focus, managing nerves, and swimming faster when it counts. Learn what it is, why swimmers should use
Fear of Failure for Swimmers (The Complete Guide)
Fear of failure is a common experience for swimmers. Learn what it is, how it hurts swim performance, and how to overcome it.
For more articles and guides on conquering mental training in swimming, click here.
Dryland Articles
Dryland and strength training are proven ways to get more from your swimming performance. From dryland workouts to core training to the best stretches for swimmers, we’ve got the pool-side of swim training covered.
Why Core Strength Isn’t Enough for Swimmers
A strong core is essential for swimmers looking to go faster. But it’s only one piece of the puzzle for a well-rounded core that produces results in the pool.
Does Core Training Improve Swim Speed?
Wondering if core training can lead to faster swimming? Here’s what swimmers and coaches need to know.
Why Swimmers Should Stop Prioritizing Crunches
Crunches are great for building abs but less awesome for supporting swim performance. Here’s what to focus on instead.
Should Young Age Group Swimmers Do Core Training?
Young age groupers have a lot going on with skill and technique development. Here’s how core training has a critical role to play in improving technique, stability and speed.
Why Anti-Movement Core Training Matters for Swimmers
Core training is one of the best ways to get faster in the pool—and anti-movement exercises provide the foundation for everything that follows.
How Stiff Ankles Slow Down Your Kick (and Stress the Lower Back)
Ankle flexibility is important for fast kicking (and swimming)—but it also plays a role in reducing lower back injuries in the pool.
For more articles and guides on using dryland to help you swim faster than ever, click here.
Nutrition Articles
The swimmer’s appetite is legendary. We have tapped some of the best sport dietitians in the world to provide nutrition advice specific to swimmers.
What Swimmers Should Eat Before, During, and After a Swim Meet
Fuel yourself like a champion so that you can race like a champion. Here are some proven tips from sports dietitians on what to eat
What Do Olympic Swimmers Eat?
The swimmer appetite legendary. Here’s what Olympic swimmers put down while training and racing.
Supplements and Swimmers: It’s at Your Own Risk
You work hard in the pool, and now you want an edge over the other swimmers in the water. Here’s one of the big risks
5 Race Day Nutrition Tips for Swimmers
Confused about what to eat on race day? Here are some proven tips from NC State’s Director of Sports Nutrition to make sure you eat
Why Swimmers Shouldn’t Skip Breakfast
What we eat in the morning sets up for the rest of the day, both in the pool and out. Here’s why swimmers shouldn’t skip
Swimmers: Why You Should Be Meal Prepping
Want to eat better, save money and time, and also swim faster? Here is why you should start meal prepping immediately.
For more articles and guides on how to fuel for success in the pool, click here.
Swim Gear Articles
As a lifelong competitive swimmers, I’ve tested and tried just about every piece of swim gear under the sun. Below, you’ll find unbiased reviews of many popular types of swimming equipment.
Training vs Racing Swim Goggles – Understanding the Differences
Is there really a difference between training and racing swim goggles? Here’s a look at the subtle differences in fit, comfort, drag, and more.
How Accurate Are Swim Watches for Tracking Heart Rate?
How reliable are swim watches for tracking heart rate? Here’s what the research says and how they compare to chest straps and optical sensors.
Speedo Power Plus Paddles Review — Best All-Around Power Paddles for Swimmers
The Speedo Power Plus Paddles are the most popular power paddle in the pool. Here’s a full review after years of use, and how they
How Swim Paddle Size Changes Technique and Speed
Swim paddles are one of the go-to pieces of equipment swimmers reach for at the pool. Here’s how paddle size impacts your stroke.
How the FINIS Foil Monofin Can Make You a Better Dolphin Kicker (Review)
Ready to up your dolphin kick? Here’s how the FINIS Foil Monofin can help swimmers improve UDK technique and power.
The Best Fins for a Faster Dolphin Kick
Looking to up your dolphin kick skills? Here are the best fins to improve undulation, power, and dolphin kick technique.
For more reviews and to see all of the swim gear we have tested, click here.
Most Recent Articles
Prefer to go through all of YourSwimLog.com’s articles chronologically? Challenge accepted! Here is a full archive of all the articles posted here over the years.
A Race Pace Set for Winning the Back Half of the 100 Freestyle
This tough 100 race pace set from Richard Quick teaches swimmers how to sustain speed when rest disappears and fatigue hits hard.
The Elite Way to Improve Swim Technique (No Drills Required)
Drills are often used to fix and reinforce good swimming technique. Here’s an alternative to help you swim better and faster.
A Sprint-Focused Workout for Explosive Underwaters and Closing Speed
Looking for added speed? Here’s a swim workout designed for explosive underwaters and closing speed.
How to Use Resisted Sprint Swim Training More Effectively
Speed and power are essential for faster freestyle sprinting. Resisted sprint training, when used properly, is a powerful way hit those top-end speeds. Here’s a
What Type of Resisted Sprint Swim Training Works Best?
Resisted sprint swim training is one of the best ways to improve performance in the water. Here’s what swimmers should know about tethered and semi-tethered
6 Sprint Sets for Swimmers (Speed, Power, and Technique)
Level up your sprint speed with these proven sprint swim workouts. Build power, sharpen tempo, and master the mechanics that make you faster on race
What Muscles Does the Underwater Dolphin Kick Work?
Learn how the core, hips, and legs work together during the underwater dolphin kick and how to train them for smoother, faster undulation.
How Often Should Swimmers Strength Train?
Strength training can improve swim performance when done properly—which means lifting smart and progressively both in terms of resistance and frequency. Here’s what swimmers need
How to Use Chutes and Racks for Faster Sprinting
Looking to get more from your resisted swim sets? Here are four ways to use chutes and racks for faster swimming.
How Long Does It Take to Improve Ankle Flexibility? (for Faster Dolphin Kicking)
Learn how long it takes to improve ankle flexibility for a faster underwater dolphin kick, what the research says about stretching and mobility, and how