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.
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.
Dryland Training for Sprint Freestyle: What to Do and How to Program It
Dryland training builds the strength, power, and stability sprint freestylers need to explode off the block, nail the turn, and hold speed to the wall.
How to Master Stroke Rate for Faster Sprint Freestyle
Learn why stroke rate matters for sprint freestyle, what happens when you push past your natural maximum, and how to build the turnover that holds
The Sprint Freestyle Pull: Mechanics, Power, and How to Train It
Everything you need to know about the sprint freestyle pull—how it works, how it differs from regular freestyle, and the training methods that actually build
Why Elite Sprinters Don’t Breathe in the 50 Freestyle
Should you breathe in the 50 freestyle? Here’s why elite sprinters avoid breathing—and how to train yourself to breathe less.
How to Build a Kick That Actually Makes You Faster in the 50 Free
The sprint freestyle kick is one of the most undertrained skills in the 50 free. Here’s how to develop the power, tempo, and mechanics that
Sprint Freestyle: The Complete Guide to Elite Sprint Freestyle Speed
Looking to master sprint freestyle? This complete guide breaks down the technique, training, and race execution skills that separate elite sprinters from everyone else.
How Sprint Freestyle Technique is Different Than Regular Freestyle
Sprint freestyle isn’t distance freestyle done harder—it’s a different technique built specifically for speed. Here’s what changes with body position, stroke rate, kick, and coordination,
How Far Underwater Should You Be Dolphin Kicking?
How many dolphin kicks should you be doing? We break down where you need to draw the line when it comes to kicking underwater.
How to Develop an Awesome Underwater Dolphin Kick
A fast dolphin kick is the result of good kick mechanics, mobility, strength, and training. Here is your guide to improving your underwater underwater kick.
Does the Barbell Back Squat Predict Start Performance?
Does the barbell back squat predict swim start performance? Research shows stronger sprinters get to 15m faster. Read on for the data and strength benchmarks.