How to Increase Swimming Stamina

If you are new to swimming, you may be discouraged by the fact that after one or two laps you're gasping for breath and barely putting one arm in front of the other. This will happen even if you are in good shape when you first begin. Swimming uses such specific movements that your general fitness will not adequately prepare you for it. However, your stamina will increase with time as long as you are persistent. The key is following correct technique and consistent training. If you can hit the main points of the freestyle stroke and make it as efficient as possible, your stamina will increase as you teach your body to move you further forward with less effort.

Instructions

    • 1

      Get proper training. Focus on performing each stroke correctly. If you swim correctly, you will swim efficiently, and you will use less energy to propel yourself forward. If, on the other hand, you swim incorrectly you will develop bad, inefficient habits that will make developing stamina that much harder.

    • 2

      Focus on one part of the stroke at a time. Start with your head --- it should be in line with your spine, and move with your body when you breathe.

    • 3

      Exhale underwater. If you try to both inhale and exhale above water, you will only take in half as much air as you could if you exhaled underwater. Incorrect breathing technique will negatively impact your stamina because your body won't have enough oxygen.

    • 4

      Keep your chest expanded, flat and pressed in the water as you stroke. This will keep your body line straight and prevent your butt from dragging underwater. If your butt is above water, your arms and legs won't have to work too hard to push you forward, which will in turn increase your stamina.

    • 5

      As your right arm comes out of the water to begin a stroke, move your upper body to the side to breathe. Initiate this movement from your hips, with your shoulders following them. Since your hips are stronger than your shoulders, the movement will be easier than if you initiate the movement with your shoulders. .

    • 6

      Reach as far forward as you can with your strokes, and stroke back in an S shape. This will give you the maximum amount of water, which will in turn propel you further with less force.

    • 7

      Swim routinely. This could be every day, every second day, or once a week. As long as it's consistent, your stamina will improve as your body adapts.