If you want to get fit, lose weight and tone up at the same time… there’s no better sport in the world than swimming. It uses every muscle in your body and is amazing for your cardio.
Having said that, did you know that most people have no idea that they are swimming incorrectly and have been doing so their entire lives? This means that they are tiring themselves out AND burning less calories than they should be during the time they swim.
So today I want to show you some “swim hacks” that not only make you fitter but FORCE your body to burn more calories in less time than you normally would.
1. Stroke more, flap less
Your arms need to be doing around 80% of the work when your swimming. Many folks think it’s their legs, but it’s actually the arm movements that burn more calories and propel them further in the water. Flap your legs less and use them more as guides than help going faster.
2. Aim for a higher heart rate
When it comes to burning fat/calories. The number 1 thing you need to make sure of is that your heart rate is above 85 bpm at all times. This will pump the blood around your body quicker, oxygen will be in high demand and your fat cells will be the primary source of fuel for the body.
3. Add some weights
Using resistance is a great way of building up your muscles and burning more calories. To do this just add some swimming weights to your arms and ankles. The more you use them, the more you will get used to the weight. So once you take them off, the speed at which you swim will shock you.
4. Do high intensity training
Science has come a long way with fitness, but one of the biggest breakthroughs is HIIT. Which is using interval training with high intensity to burn fat at a rapid rate. So the next time you’re in the pool, swim as hard and as fast as you can for 1 minute, then rest for 2 minutes. Repeat this pattern for 20 minutes.
So that’s some swim hacks for you. If you are new to swimming then you should check out this course which shows you how to swim like a pro in just 7 days.
