Last Updated on July 31, 2023 by admin
On Holiday | On Vacation | While Visiting | On Business
In this article, we’ll provide advice, hacks and tips on how the importance of swimming training ‘on-the-go’ and how it can help to maintain your fitness and retain your feel for the water while being away from your usual training pool.
- Sometimes swimmers need to be away from their usual training environment, whether it’s visiting friends or relations or on holiday/vacation.
- Some swimmers worry about the training time they will miss, and the effects it will have on their ability to achieve their swimming goals.
- However, with a bit of forward planning, swimmers can minimise its effects by training ‘on-the-go’.
Please find listed below some examples of how this may be achieved.
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Timing
Consider the timing of your visit/holiday/vacation. Sometimes missing training during the peak season or prior to an important event, cannot be avoided.
- But if it can be postponed until after the peak period of the season, then it will have a lesser effect on the swimmer’s training programme.
Talk to your coach
If the swimmer is planning to be away from training for a week or two, then it is courteous for them to inform their coach.
- The coach may be able to provide advice and tips for training ‘on the go’ and may have contacts for the area they are visiting.
Train with a local club
If the swimmer is in the same location for a week or two, it may be possible to contact a local club and arrange for the swimmer to train with them.
Find local pools
The swimmer should conduct some research to discover if there are any swimming pools in the area they are planning to visit.
Train in open water
The location the swimmer is visiting may have open water training facilities (sea, lake, etc.).
- Those who are used to swimming in a pool may find swimming in open water a bit of a challenge.
- They may find that they have to cope with poor water visibility, cold water, rough water, tides, currents and the need to navigate to where they want to swim.
The swimmer should ensure they have thoroughly researched the open water conditions, including the currents, tides, water temperatures (in case you may need to swim in a wetsuit) and the water traffic, before contemplating using them.
Please follow the open water safety tips from the Royal Life Saving Society UK listed below
The conditions at open water sites change constantly:
- Always look for warning and guidance signs
- Swim parallel to the shore, not away from it
- Avoid drifting in the currents
- Do not enter fast-flowing water
- Be aware of underwater hazards
- Get out of the water as soon as you start to feel cold
- Never enter the water after consuming alcohol
- Only enter the water in areas with adequate supervision and rescue cover
- Always take someone with you when you go into or near the water. If something goes wrong, they will be able to get help
- If someone is in difficulty in the water shout reassurance to them, shout for help and call the emergency services
- Without endangering yourself see if you can reach out to them with a stick, pole or item of clothing, and lie down to ensure you stay secure. Alternatively, throw something buoyant to them such as a ring, buoy or anything that will float
Related article on swimming safely in open water
We have produced a related article, swimming safely in open water. You can view it by clicking this link: Swimming safely in open water
Be prepared
Opportunities to train in the water while ‘on the go’ may present themselves at unexpected times and venues.
- Therefore, it pays to always have a swimsuit, cap and goggles with you and maybe even a kickboard and a pull buoy.
Make the training fun
Although the swimmer may need to do some pool training while ‘on-the-go’, they should use this as an opportunity to include a large portion of their favourite strokes and drills.
- Also, try to incorporate some fun drills if possible.
Related article on swimming training making it fun
We have produced a related article, swimming training making it fun. You can view it by clicking this link: swimming training making it fun
Consider the other facility users
Please consider the other facility users before commencing any type of swimming training. You may need to plan your swim for when the facility is less busy, this is normal for a competitive swimmer.
Making the best of the facilities
Not all swimming facilities are ideal for competitive swimming training.
- But with a little imagination, an adequate swimming training session can be achieved even in the most primitive of environments. For example:
Resistant Cord Belt
- We recommend the RUNACC Swimming Resistance Belt We find this ideal for resistance and tethered swimming training.
- Suitable for water training, increases effective training of the intensity of the swimming, training endurance and strength.
- High-quality latex hose with excellent workmanship, abrasion resistant, and durable.
- Premium Belt with Tauchfa Ser lining, soft and comfortable.
- Has an adjustable hip strap, so you can hang the adjusted fit Fit free, even snugly and easy to wear or take off.
- Thanks to its quick-drying design, easy to clean after each use.
Resistance Ankle Straps
Some of our swimmers prefer to use resistance cords that attach to the ankles. They use the SAMTITY 1 Swim Ankle Straps which they find comfortable to use and reasonably priced.
- Comfortable neoprene foot straps – this new type of very thick neoprene cushion, we added thick neoprene to the ankle strap. Therefore, when you swim, you will not fall.
- Turn the family swimming pool into a professional arena – A good way to improve all general swimming styles. Suitable for all people. Very suitable for swimming training and practice.
- Low-impact cardiopulmonary function training – for fixed resistance training / endless swimming pool for adults, children, professional players and amateurs.
- The hook and loop fastener closure, a perfect fit – adjustable foot cover size.
- Swimming coaches are easy to use and can help improve any swimming posture and quickly condition your body. This product is suitable for all adults and children who need strength training.
Related article on tethered swimming training
We have produced a related article on tethered swimming training. You can view it by clicking this link: tethered swimming training
Kicking drills
If a swimmer doesn’t have a kickboard with them, they may have an opportunity to use some other floatation device such as a rubber ring, as a temporary kickboard substitute.
- If there is no suitable kickboard alternative, swimmers may perform kicking drills in a streamlined position or kick on their side (laterally) with alternate arms extended, without the aid of a floatation device.
Pulling drills
If a swimmer doesn’t have a pull buoy with them, again they may have an opportunity to use some other floatation device such as a rubber ring, as a temporary pull buoy substitute.
- If there is no suitable pull buoy alternative, swimmers may perform any pulling drills without the aid of a floatation device.
- The swimmer still performs a freestyle arm stroke only, while keeping their legs in a motionless, streamlined position.
- For a more difficult drill, the swimmer can cross their legs while performing a freestyle arm stroke, again while keeping their legs in a motionless, streamlined position.
- These are both excellent core strength exercises.
Fast and easy swims
Small bodies of water are great for short bursts of fast swimming in one direction, followed by leisurely recovery swims or drills on the return.
Small pool training plan
One of the most essential skills that a competitive swimmer possesses, is that they ‘can feel the water’, knowing where to place their hands and arms to get the best purchase on the water to achieve maximum propulsion.
- However, being away from the pool for a week or two can make it difficult for the swimmer to get their feel of the water back for some time.
- Performing some of their favourite strokes, drills and/or sculls 2-3 times per week for between 20 to 30 minutes, during the visit/holiday/vacation can help alleviate this problem.
Example: ‘On the go’ pool training plan
Total time 32 minutes
Please ensure that the swimmer conducts a proper poolside/deck warm-up before entering the pool.
- Easy freestyle swim for 5 minutes
- Easy freestyle kick for 2 minutes
- A favourite freestyle drill for 2 minutes
- A favourite sculling drill for 2 minutes
- Easy swim, favourite stroke – stroke counting for 4 minutes
- Fast/Easy swims, favourite stroke – fast swimming in one direction, followed by a leisurely recovery swim or drill on the return. For 2 minutes
- A favourite drill for 2 minutes
- Easy swim, favourite stroke, with pull buoy – stroke counting for 4 minutes
- Fast/Easy swims, favourite stroke – fast swimming in one direction, followed by leisurely recovery swim or drill on the return. For 2 minutes
- A favourite drill for 2 minutes
- Easy freestyle swim for 5 minutes
Dryland Training
There may be times when there are no suitable swimming facilities available. In these circumstances, the swimmer should undertake some dryland and cross-training while ‘on-the-go’.
- Dryland training is an important strength conditioning part of any swimming programme. For younger swimmers, this type of training usually takes the form of bodyweight training such as; sit-ups, press-ups, crunches etc.
- As the swimmer matures and develops their strength, equipment like resistance bands can be added to their strength conditioning programme.
- Only when swimmers become older, post-puberty, are they encouraged to perform free weight training.
- Please note, that although dryland training plays an important part in a swimmer’s training programme, it doesn’t take the place of a swimming training session.
Cross-training
Just as dryland training plays an important role in a swimmer’s training programme, so does cross-training.
- Cross-training is any training that compliments a swimmer’s programme, developing general fitness and strength, with activities such as jogging, flexibility exercises, bike riding etc.
- Again, it must be noted that although cross-training plays an important part in a swimmer’s training programme, it doesn’t take the place of a swimming training session.
Hydration and Nutrition
Whilst being ‘on-the-go’ it can be difficult to maintain a healthy diet.
- However, for swimmers to minimise the effects of being away from the pool, they should take good care of their hydration and nutrition, and take every opportunity to refuel with good nutritious food and drink.
Related articles on swimming nutrition and swimming hydration
We have produced related articles, on swimming nutrition and swimming hydration. You can view it by clicking these links: how to use swimming nutrition | swimming hydration.
Relax and Recover
Finding time to relax and recover whilst being ‘on the go’ may be difficult.
- But for swimmers wishing to minimise the effects of being away from the pool, they should take every opportunity to relax and recover, and ensure they do not become fatigued.
- This includes ensuring the swimmer gets enough quality sleep.
Takeaways
Sometimes swimmers need to be away from their usual training environment.
- Some swimmers worry about the training time they will miss and the effects it will have on their ability to achieve their swimming goals.
- However, with a bit of forward planning, swimmers can minimise the effects on their training programme by training ‘on-the-go’.
Swimming resource library
We have provided a swimming resource library.
- This contains links to all of our publications and blog articles.
- Now with an easy-to-use index.
- To access any article simply click on the attached page link: swimming resource library
Recommended swimming equipment
We have provided a recommended swimming equipment page.
- It contains swimming equipment that we and our swimmers use and recommend.
- You can access this page by clicking on the following link: recommended swimming equipment
The Competitive Swimming Exchange – Facebook Group
The Competitive Swimming Exchange. Is a Facebook group to help exchange ideas and information to collectively improve the sport we love.
- It’s an international group for all swimmers, coaches, teachers, masters, triathletes and swimming parents.
- In fact, it’s for all those who are interested in competitive swimming, either in the pool or in open water.
For more information about joining this group please use the following link: The Competitive Swimming Exchange
Swimming Publications
We produce a growing range of publications on a wide range of swimming subjects.
- These include Freestyle: Competitive Swimming Drills and Backstroke: Competitive Swimming Drills.
For information regarding our portfolio please follow our link: Swimming publications
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