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 adult swimming programme for all your swimming needs. Whether you want to learn to swim, improve your technique or fitness or train for an event, our Swim Doctors will help you make the most of your time in the pool in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
Sessions are free of charge to Better Health Members and there is a minimal charge of £3 for Swim UK and Centre only members. Alternatively, you can pay and play for £10 per session. Bookable via the Better App, head to Book Swimming at your chosen centre to select your session.
Which Swim Doctor session should I book?
Swim Doctor group class - learn
An adult swimming class for learners and improvers. Whether you are getting in for the first time or refreshing and improving your swimming skills, come and learn with our resident Swim Doctor.
Swim Doctor group class – train
An adult swimming fitness class focused on fitness and technique. Whether you are training for an event or wanting to improve your technique and fitness, come and train with our resident Swim Doctor.
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.
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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