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.
How to Dolphin Kick like Caeleb Dressel
Looking to upgrade your dolphin kick? Here’s what you can learn from Caeleb Dressel, one of the best to do it.
A Classic Race Pace Set That Trains and Predicts a Fast 100 Freestyle
Looking for a set to train and predict 100m freestyle performance? Here’s a classic set for preparing the exact skills for fast sprinting on race day.
How a Dolphin Kick Count in Practice Pays Off on Race Day
A dolphin kick count is one of the sneaky weapons top swimmers rely on. Here’s why training it in practice makes you faster and more confident in competition.
A Smarter Way to Use Drills for Better Technique and Faster Swimming
Not getting any technique improvement with swim drills? Try this skill progression model to accelerate improvement.
The Importance of Ankle Strength for Faster Dolphin Kicking
Discover why ankle strength, and not just flexibility, is key to a faster dolphin kick, and how this simple dryland tool can help power up your underwaters.
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.
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.
Why Swimmers Feel More Stressed During Heavy Training
Heavy swim training does more than just leave your muscles sore and achey. It also increases stress and reduces confidence. Here’s what you need to
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.
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.
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.
6 Tips for How to Use Swim Paddles Like a Champ
Learn how to properly use swim paddles for speed, strength and technique in the water while avoiding common paddle mistakes. Swim on! Swim paddles are
FINIS Swimmers Snorkel Review – The Original and Still the Best
Looking to add the FINIS Swimmers Snorkel to your training stack but aren’t sure? Here’s how it performs in the water and compares to other
How Swimmers Can Improve Stroke Rhythm
Looking to develop a more fluid and rhythmic stroke? Here are some tips and tools for improving stroke rhythm.
DMC Elite Max Swim Fins Review: The Best High-Performance Swim Training Fins
The DMC Max Elite Swim Fins are a high-performance swim training fin for competitive swimmers. Here’s my hands-on review of these comfortable and lightning-fast fins.
7 Ways to Use a Kickboard for Better Swim Workouts
The kickboard is one of the most common swim tools on the pool deck. Here are seven ways to get the most of the old
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
