Swimming Articles
This page has all of the swim articles I’ve written since launching this website. There’s something like 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 YourSwimBook.com cover a span of topics, from nutrition, to mental training, to workouts and sets for swimmers, 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
- Pool Gear Guides
- Pool 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.
There’s so much here, in fact, that it can be easy to feel a little overwhelmed.
Where to start?
Here’s a quick list of my most popular swim articles, which should give you an idea of what to find on the site:
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.
5 Benefits of Dryland for Faster Turns
Want more speed and power in and out of the walls? Here are some of the ways that dryland training can boost your turns.
6 Things Swimmers Can Learn from Michael Phelps’ Underwater Dolphin Kick
Want faster underwaters? From undulation to breakout timing, here’s how Michael Phelps built a world-class dolphin kick and what swimmers can learn from it.
5 Ways to Use DragSox for Faster Dolphin Kicking
DragSox are one of the best tools swimmers have to build crisper underwaters. Here are five ways to use them for more powerful and efficient dolphin kicking.
Does Sprinting with a Racing Jammer Improve Swim Speeds?
Curious how wearing a racing jammer affects swim performance? Here’s how a men’s tech suit compares against your standard training swimsuit.
How Ryan Murphy Built a World Class Underwater Dolphin Kick
Olympic champion and elite dolphin kicker Ryan Murphy shares his top tips for a faster underwater dolphin kick, including kick count, core training, and rhythm.
5 Powerful Benefits of a Monofin for a Faster Dolphin Kick
Want a more fluid and powerful underwater dolphin kick? Here’s why swimmers should add a monofin for a faster UDK.
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.
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.
A Swim Workout for Improving Kick-Pull Connection in Freestyle
Struggling to coordinate a fast kick with your stroke? Here’s a swim workout designed to improve the connection between the arms and legs in freestyle.
3 Swim Workouts with Paddles (Improve Efficiency and Power)
Looking for some ideas for training with paddles? Here are three swim workouts with paddles for faster, more efficient swimming.
Here’s a Swim Workout to Help You Develop a Stronger Freestyle Catch
Ready to power up your freestyle catch? Here’s a detailed swim workout to try that will help you develop a stronger catch.
Try This Swim Set to Improve the Kick Timing in Your Freestyle
Struggling with maintaining a steady kick when swimming freestyle? Try this swim workout that improves the timing between the kick and pull.
A Monster Race Pace Set for Improving Your 100 Freestyle
Ready to take your 100 freestyle to new heights? Here is a monster race pace set to give you the confidence to drop a nasty 100 free in competition.
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.
5 Things Swimmers Can Learn About Visualization from Adam Peaty
Visualization is a tool to help swimmers perform under pressure. Here’s how the greatest breaststroker of all-time used it to swim to gold.
5 Mindset Lessons for Swimmers from Katie Ledecky
Katie Ledecky continues to cement her legacy as the greatest freestyler in history. Here are five lessons swimmers can pull from Ledecky. “I can’t stop
6 Benefits of Visualization for Swimmers
Wondering what visualization can do for your swimming? Here are some evidence-based benefits of visualization for swimmers for more confidence, less choking, and even better
How to Prepare for a Successful Swim Meet
Ready to uncork some best times at your next swim meet? Here’s what you need to know to prepare for a swim meet.
7 Mental Skills for Success on Race Day
The right mental skills can help you unlock faster swimming on race day. Here is a look at the right skills to use for competition.
How to Worry Less and Embrace the Setbacks
Frustrated with setbacks in the pool? Here are some tips for improving your ability to embrace setbacks and swim faster.
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.
VASA Trainer Pro Review: The Swimmer’s Ultimate Dryland Tool for a More Powerful Stroke
Wondering if the VASA Trainer Pro is the right addition to your dryland training? Here is a hands-on review and how it can help you swim faster in the pool.
3 Dryland Workouts for a Faster Freestyle Kick
Looking to level up your freestyle kick? Here are three dryland workouts designed to build a stronger freestyle kick.
5 Dryland Core Workouts for Faster Swimming
Looking for some ready-made core workouts for improved swim performance? Here are five dryland core workouts for every kind of swimmer.
Try This Dryland Exercise for a Faster Kick (and Faster Swimming)
Looking to get more speed from your kick? Add this dryland exercise to your swimming warm-up before your next all-out kick set.
5 Best Dryland Exercises for Faster Swim Turns
Ready to improve your swim turns? Here are the best dryland exercises to help swimmers achieve faster and stronger turns.
5 Best Strength Training Exercises for Swimmers
Get stronger and more explosive in the water with this list of the best strength training exercises for swimmers.
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.
5 Ways to Use DragSox for Faster Dolphin Kicking
DragSox are one of the best tools swimmers have to build crisper underwaters. Here are five ways to use them for more powerful and efficient
Does Sprinting with a Racing Jammer Improve Swim Speeds?
Curious how wearing a racing jammer affects swim performance? Here’s how a men’s tech suit compares against your standard training swimsuit.
The Best Swim Benches for Stronger and Faster Swimming
Swim benches are an excellent way to build superhero swim strength and improve technique. Here’s a hands-on review of the best swim benches for faster
How to Use a Drag Chute for Faster Swimming
Looking for tips on how to use a drag chute for improved swim performances? Read on for some proven tips, sets, and pointers for training
7 Benefits of Training with a Drag Chute
Ready to take your swimming to the next level? Here are seven ways that a drag chute can help you become a better and faster
6 Benefits of Swim Benches for Faster Swimming
Wondering if a swim bench can help improve your swimming? Here are six benefits of swim benches for better technique, more power, and faster swimming.
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.
How to Use a Snorkel for Faster Swimming
From training tips to practical advice on not swallowing water when using one, here is how to make the most of the swimmer’s snorkel.
FINIS Manta Paddle Review – A Strapless Power Paddle
The FINIS Manta Paddles are an alternative to the traditional power paddle. Here’s a chlorinated review of these strapless power paddles.
Arena Powerfin Pro II Fins (Review) – Elite Training Fins for Swimmers
The Arena Powerfins Pro II are high-performance short-blade swim fins that rank as the best all-around fins for training. Here’s our in-the-water review and how
9 Benefits of Smart Swim Goggles
Curious if smart swim goggles are the missing part of improvement in the water? Here are nine ways smart swim goggles will change your swimming
9 Reasons Swimmers Should Train with Short Blade Fins
Short blade fins are the best type of fin for swim training. Here are nine reasons why swimmers should opt for the short blade fins.
8 Tips for Taking Care of Swimming Gear
The right swim gear helps you swim better and faster. Here’s how to take care of your gear so that it continues helping you swim
How to Increase Stroke Rate for Faster Swimming
Looking to increase stroke rate and kick things up in the pool? Here are some proven ways to increase your stroke rate in the water.
Swim Meet Packing List: 7 Gear Essentials for Race Day Success
Ready to take down some personal best times at your next swim meet? Here’s what you need to gear up for race day success.
8 Tips for Using Earplugs When Swimming
Swimming is fun—getting water in your ears is decidedly not. Here is how to use earplugs when swimming to keep water out of your ears.
8 Benefits of Swim Paddles (Technique and Speed)
Using swim paddles can help you do a ton of different things in the water. Here is a look at the seven benefits of using
