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Why Do I Get So Tired Swimming Front Crawl?

I have a question about breathing while doing front crawl. In the lane swim tonight I found out that several of us are having a similar problem -- ending up totally winded before we've done two lengths, even though we're in the pool often and aren't complaining of tired arms and legs.

In my case, I'm doing bilateral, trickle breathing and don't think I'm breathing explosively. I'm trying to keep my hips high and not kick too hard, though I'm sure I do that sometimes.

I'm pretty sure my kick isn't well coordinated with my arm movements. I'm also confused about the degree of rotation I should be aiming for, because some swimmers (such as Master's swimmer Karlyn Pipes-Nielsen) say that many swimmers over-rotate and should be flatter in the water, while others blame all difficulties on not rotating enough.

I'm trying to work on everything I can think of, but it's tough when you have to stop after every length or two. (The most I've ever done consecutively in a 25m pool is four.)

Thanks for any ideas you can provide. (BTW, the group of us asked the lifeguard tonight about this problem, and she seemed to have absolutely no idea. I think she thought we were all just too old -- 40s, 50s. But we're all in good shape otherwise, and some of the swimmers in the pool who lazily swim the longest distance don't appear to be in particularly good shape at all. We are baffled.) Thanks again.

Mark's answer...

The question you are raising is a very common one, particularly when it comes to front crawl. Basically it boils down to stamina and relative fitness. You can tweak and fine tune front crawl technique and it will help, but the main thing in control here is our old friend fitness.

Assuming you have a decent grasp of basic front crawl, which it sounds like you have if you can swim 100m, then some small adjustments in technique and maybe some changes in swimming speeds could see you covering some longer distances using less energy.

It is very common for front crawl swimmers to attack the water and swim too fast, sometimes without knowing they are doing so. Slowing right down and performing the stroke smoothly with accuracy, balance and control can sometimes make an instant difference.

Some technique points to consider…

Think about the shape your body is creating in the water . Is it streamlined and efficient? If you were to perform a ‘push and glide’ from the pool side, would you glide 10m or more or would you slow down before 5m?

Your shape as you glide from a push from the pool wall should be with head tucked in-between arms and with hands and feet together, to maximise efficiency. Practice it to get a feel for you own efficiency.

Now apply that shape to your front crawl. Hands return to a central point in front of the head before they begin to pull again and legs kick with feet together and legs outstretched. Create the most streamlined body shape you possibly can to that you cut through the water.

You mentioned breathing and that you trickle breathe - that’s good. As for rotation, try to look at your shoulder as you breathe.


It will ensure that your head position remains flat while your mouth can still clear the water as you inhale, and as long as your arm recovery is not too high over the water, there will be no risk of over rotation.

So, the people you see lazily swimming very long distances are either:
a) highly trained and very fit (unlikely!)
b) swimming breaststroke, which can be done badly and effortlessly at the same time
c) swimming well within their comfort zone (most likely) and have done so for many years

Keep in mind that swimming fitness is very different to other types of fitness. An established marathon runner may be able to swim basic front crawl but will be completely exhausted after 25m. This is because the body is using completely different energy systems.

Swimming front crawl is like any other form of exercise in that the more you do it, the fitter you become and the easier it then becomes. Apologies for stating the obvious, but its easy to look for a quick fix in our technique when actually some plan old laps up and down are the fix that is sometimes the best one.

And by the way, age has nothing to do with it, so keep going!

Comments for Why Do I Get So Tired Swimming Front Crawl? Average Rating Click here to add your own comments

Oct 21, 2014 Rating very helpful by: tralynn I have been swimming for fitness and can only sustain breast stroke for 30+ lengths in half an hour. However I have developed an elbow injury - possibly tennis elbow, so have been looking at how to swim front crawl more efficiently. I am also one who races across the pool in front crawl for a length and a half, then spends a minute trying to catch my breath! I knew my breathing technique was all wrong, but you have shown me how to improve on my stroke as well, thanks. Any advice on the elbow issue would be welcome too.

Aug 11, 2014 Rating Thank you! by: Anonymous Hi Mark, I’m just going through a backlog of e-mail after a few days away, and I see that I overlooked answering your very comprehensive and much-appreciated response. What you wrote was immensely helpful. It told me right away that my technique is part of the problem. There is no way I would glide for 10m from the poolside if I tried, for instance, so I will work on that streamlined shape. I’m also certain that I swim too fast. On the good side, I have improved my breathing technique and am managing to keep half my face in the water, and I think my body position is better as a result. I still have an urge to lift my head (though only on one side, which seems odd), and I will use your tip about looking at my shoulder. As for the other swimmers in the pool, I think you’re right. I’ve taken the time to observe a few of them, and there are some pretty calm breaststrokers going back and forth using completely nonstandard technique. As for the freestylers, I see a lot of legs dragging way down on a diagonal and a lot of people stopping for breath after a length or two. It’s a bit of a relief to know I’m not the only one who has never mastered the skill. It’s an even bigger relief to know that age isn’t the issue, as I still feel young! I will keep working at it. Many thanks for your tips and your encouragement. Swimming is the one fitness activity I truly love and the only one I would truly like to be good at. Again, many thanks for taking the time to provide such a thoughtful reply. I know you are swamped with requests. I will share what you wrote with the little group I’ve been talking to over at the pool, and I hope it will help them as well. Cheers

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