Swimming - how many strokes per length?
jsa01
Posts: 9
in General Chat
I noticed on a post the other day that someone was talking about the number of strokes taken to complete a length of a 25m pool and I wondered if someone could tell me what is considered a good number?
I've just got back from a swim and it took 22 strokes for 25 m without pushing off the end of the pool. This was at a steady pace (not sprinting). 19 strokes was my best when I first got in the water (and pushed off the end).
I have taught myself front crawl this year so have no idea if my stroke is any good or not. I can now swim 1000m without drowning and in about 24 mins. I do stroke quite slowly but have found that moving my arms faster doesn't improve my speed - it just makes me knackered!
I'm in the process of organising a couple of 1 on 1 lessons where I'm sure I'll find out how bad I really am but wondered if someone could tell me if 22 strokes was in the ballpark?
I've just got back from a swim and it took 22 strokes for 25 m without pushing off the end of the pool. This was at a steady pace (not sprinting). 19 strokes was my best when I first got in the water (and pushed off the end).
I have taught myself front crawl this year so have no idea if my stroke is any good or not. I can now swim 1000m without drowning and in about 24 mins. I do stroke quite slowly but have found that moving my arms faster doesn't improve my speed - it just makes me knackered!
I'm in the process of organising a couple of 1 on 1 lessons where I'm sure I'll find out how bad I really am but wondered if someone could tell me if 22 strokes was in the ballpark?
0
Comments
Winter aim is to speed up, without sacrificing technique or efficiency.
Good way of testing yourself is "Swim Golf". Swim one or two lengths, timing yourself and counting your strokes. Add the two together to get a figure. This is your target to beat. What you'll finid initially is that as the speed increases, the stroke length decreases so the number of strokes has to increase, and the result could actually increase. But as technique os fine tuned and you start being more efficient it will begin to fall, which is the result of faster times and less strokes.
I now do my swim training in open water so I don't know if I've maintained that rate, but I too have a slow stroke and don't seem to be able to increase my cadence, without my stroke going to pot.
My main objective is to finish the swim in a fit enough state to get on the bike.
JC
Once you have had the coaching then you will know if you are going too slowly or taking too many strokes per length for you.
It's also a good thing to see how well you are holding form for longer sets.
Thanks Jack, will work on them just in case.
JC
Tumble turns are used by the swimmers who can do them regardless of swim ability. I cant do them so I touch turn:) if I do do Tumbles then who knows which lane ill come up in! haha.... dont need tumble turns in open water thats my excuse!