The Best Stroke to Do When Swimming a Lot of Laps

Swimming laps is a common form of exercise. Some swimmers will prefer one particular stroke, but for a high number of laps, freestyle is usually the choice. It is the fastest of the four competitive strokes and is an easy stroke to learn. Swimming for distance is a great aerobic exercise, and choosing the proper stroke will make it more beneficial for you.

  1. Freestyle Stroke

    • Freestyle, or the front crawl stroke, is one of the most popular due to its variety of advantages. USA Swimming defines freestyle as an alternate stroking of the arms over the surface of the water surface and an alternating up-and-down flutter kick. Freestyle will typically be your most efficient stroke; it will propel your body through the water at a high speed with minimal effort compared to other strokes. A proper freestyle stoke will involve smooth arm and leg movements that create minimal splashing and drag.

    Breathing

    • A regular and rhythmic breathing pattern will help your swimming become more efficient and comfortable. Exhale while your face is in the water and turn your face to the side to breathe while your arm recovers out of the water. You should breathe every few strokes, making sure you are turning your head to the side and not forward. Proper breathing technique ensures horizontal body position and limits drag, which helps to save energy during longer swims.

    Kicking

    • The freestyle kick, also known as the flutter kick, consists of small and fast leg movements that originate in the hips. The legs will be relaxed, with a slight bend in the knees, and the toes pointed. The tops and bottoms of your feet function as paddles propelling you through the water. A steady kick will ensure a long productive stroke during your many laps of swimming. Your kick rate should be faster than your arm stroke rate, but can be adjusted based on your level of fitness and length of swim.

    Training

    • It will take training to be able to swim longer distances, regardless of your stroke's efficiency. During longer swims, your stroke should be smooth and require minimal effort to ensure you do not waste any energy on unnecessary movements. It is best to practice your stroke at a slower pace to focus on technique, which will help during long workouts. Training injuries can be prevented by warming up and cooling down prior to and immediately following long swims.