Feel great with four swimming strokes
Get the basics right with our guide to the four most common swimming strokes and how they benefit your body.
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What is Swim Doctor?
Swim Doctor is Better’s swim programme to help you reach your goals. With advice on how to improve your technique and fitness level plus tips on how to stay motivated, our Swim Doctors will help you make the most out of your time in the pool. Whether you are training for your next swim challenge or need help to improve your stroke, our Swim Doctors will ensure you experience a great swimming session in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. What's more, the sessions are free of charge to All Inclusive Members, Swim UK Members or Triathlon Members. There's never been a better time to dive in.
Technique sessions
Swim Doctor technique sessions will improve your swimming skills, stroke and technique. Based around drills that will enhance your stroke mechanics as well as work your cardiovascular fitness, the session will test your technique under fatigue. So you become stronger, more confident and efficient in the water. If you need help to correct your stroke, achieve your next goal and push yourself further, book in a session with your local Swim Doctor.
Fitness sessions
Swim Doctor fitness sessions will improve your swimming endurance and cardiovascular fitness with stroke guidance from our fully-qualified Swim Doctor. Based on repetition sets to help improve speed, power and endurance, our Swim Doctor design training plans for a range of abilities to help achieve individual fitness goals. If you're looking to improve your swimming, please visit our Swim Doctor.
Swim Doctor masterclasses with Keri-anne Payne
Here at Better, we run a number of Swim Doctor Masterclasses, facilitated by our Fitness Swimming Ambassador, Keri-Anne Payne. An Olympic silver medallist and two-time world 10km open water swimming champion, Keri-Anne works alongside us to develop these classes and provide first hand expert advice on the day, as well as hints and tips on how you can perfect your swimming technique going forward.
Keri-Anne added:
"I'm more than just a face to the programme, I will be involved. Part of the activation and launch of this product will be the Masterclass Roadshow which we will be delivering from now until the end of this year at a number of centres. I do all my coaching at Better venues and want to be seen as available to all, I'm not just the face of a campaign. Every member can get access to a hands on personal experience, be it through one-on-one sessions or through the masterclasses."
Swimming tips from our fitness swimming ambassador
To help you get the most out of your swim, our Fitness Swimming Ambassador, open water champion and Olympic silver medallist Keri-anne Payne has offered up some top tips to make your swim as easy as possible - swimming smarter, not harder.
- To keep a regular rhythm, breathe in through the mouth and out through the nose. The key is to stay relaxed and only breathe as much as you need, not as much as you think you need
- To reduce your drag and keep your body in a straight line, look down and feel your legs come up behind you
- For efficient propulsion, move the water through the centre line of the body and feel like you're pulling from your finger tips and that you are engaging your lateral muscles
- Lastly, don't try and master everything at once - work on one thing at a time. Once you've got the hang of this, move onto the next thing.
Events
Marathon Swim
Swimming now has its own marathon. Marathon Swims, the ultimate swimming challenge returns to the iconic London Aquatics Centre. Marathon Swims has redefined the challenge as an indoor, pool-based Marathon 10k, Half Marathon 5k and a 1k distance event. The event sold out in its first year, and this year organisers have added an extra day due to high demand and to give participants the option of choosing a date to suit them.
Swimathon 2020
Be a part of the world's largest fundraising swim - Swimathon 2020. Choose from 5 distances and take on the challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie. Events will be happening up and down the country from 27-29 March 2020. Take the plunge for a good cause and share your achievements. What are you waiting for? Register your interest at your local swimming pool.
Get the most out of your fitness swim
Dive into swimming with help and guidance from your local Better Swim Doctors.
Pre-cleanse
Help us keep your pool clean by showering and using the toilet facilities before you swim.
Respect
People of different standards and abilities will use the pool. Please respect their right to enjoy their swim.
Speed
Choose your lane using the fast, medium and slow signs and by watching those already swimming. Before pushing off at each turn, check to see if anyone faster is approaching.
Direction
Please follow the directional signs and move across to the appropriate side of the lane for each length.
Space
Try and leave at least 5 metres between yourself and another swimmer. If you can see a pace clock, aim for a 5 second gap.
Strokes
Wide strokes such as butterfly and breaststroke should be avoided when lanes become busy. Changing to a slower stroke as part of your session? Think about moving lanes.
Resting
Whether stopping for a rest or catching your breath after completing your swim, please be mindful that others using the lane will want to keep on swimming without stopping
Share
Celebrate your achievements and share your swimming stories with us on social media using #betterswimming, we’d love to hear them.
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