The hip bridge should be in every swimmer’s dryland training arsenal. It’s a low impact exercise that strengthens the core and glutes, stabilizes the low back and addresses common muscle imbalances and weaknesses that can cause injury. While the hip bridge might seem like an easy exercise, many swimmers perform it incorrectly, minimizing the benefits they’ll experience. Here’s how to perfect your hip bridge form to enhance your body position and kick in the pool! Technique Check: Hip Bridges Engage the core: Keeping your core fired up during this exercise will protect your low back and help stabilize your pelvis…
Author: Taylor Holmes
Join us in welcoming Cory Donovan to the MySwimPro Ambassador team! Cory is a full time yoga instructor in Baltimore, Maryland. When he’s not teaching, he spends his time either swimming, running, biking, practicing yoga, or finding another way to get active. Meet Cory I started swimming 5 or 6 years ago while I was battling injuries from marathon training. I picked it up a little more frequently around 2017 when I had a stress fracture in my knee — crutching my way to the pool, I would only push off the wall with my good leg. In the past year or…
A medicine ball is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment for swimmers. Available in a variety of sizes and weights, medicine balls add an element of instability and extra resistance to classic bodyweight exercises. If you’re looking to progress your at-home dryland training, pick up a medicine ball! Total Body Medicine Ball Workout for Swimmers In this workout, we hit all major muscle groups used in swimming. You’ll work on rotation, power and endurance to boost your core strength, stroke rate and more. Dynamic Warm Up Plank Circuit 2 rounds: Round 1 with no medicine ball, Round 2…
In this guest blog, MySwimPro Ambassador Michelle Rogalski shares tips for swimming in cold water. An avid open water swimmer based in Michigan, USA, Michelle has been swimming in the chilly lakes in her area while her pool is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic radically transformed how everyone on this planet swims. People have been forced to get creative because of mandatory pool closures. Currently, the only option for most of us is swimming in cold, open water, which has many benefits. It’s a great form of exercise that naturally favors social distancing. Additionally, exposure to…
In some communities, beaches are reopening, much to the satisfaction of cooped up swimmers! While many pools still remain closed, swimmers are venturing into the lakes, rivers and oceans in their area to get some much-needed swimming in. Like us, you’re probably excited about diving in again! But it’s important to be smart during your first workout back. Many of us have been out of the water for 2 months or more. Check out our tips for a successful open water swim! Watch the Video Planning Your First Open Water Swim After Quarantine For this first swim, don’t worry about…
Hip mobility is important for a variety of reasons, both in the pool and in your daily life. Tight hips impede proper muscular function, leading to imbalances and improper form in both swimming and dryland exercises. A lack of hip flexibility can also contribute to poor posture and lower back pain. Proper hip mobility helps you develop a strong, efficient kick, especially in long-axis strokes like freestyle and backstroke. Check out one of our favorite stretches for the hips and quadriceps (front of the thigh)! How To: Hip Flexor Stretch Kneel on the ground: Try to maintain a 90º angle…
If you have an Apple Watch you know: If you didn’t track your swim, it feels like it doesn’t count! When it comes to open water swimming, using a smartwatch with accurate time and distance tracking ensures you get the most out of your workout. Whether you are an avid open water swimmer or a newbie just starting out, make sure you’re logging all of your swims in the free MySwimPro app on your Apple Watch. Why Use the MySwimPro App on Apple Watch? You might be wondering: Why use a third party app when Apple Watch has its own…
If you’re new to swimming, training in a lake, river or ocean may feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! We’re sharing our open water swimming tips to help you make your swim as efficient and enjoyable as possible. Watch the Video Listen to the Podcast MySwimPro · Open Water Swimming Tips for Beginners Why Try Open Water Swimming? Swimmers choose to hit the open water for a variety of reasons. Mix up your training: Are you bored of swimming laps? Want to get out of the chlorine? Open water swimming is a great way to keep your training…
May 2020 was one of the most significant months in the history of MySwimPro. We introduced a variety of new features and updates to improve our members’ training experience. Check it out! ELITE COACH Launch We unveiled the latest update to the app: ELITE COACH. This is the most advanced and comprehensive version of the app to date. We re-built the app from the ground up, creating dedicated menu options for swimming and dryland, and adding new training plans, videos and a simplified user experience. To better reflect this new offering, we updated our subscription model: Swim Pack: Swim training…
If you typically do dryland training in a gym, a home workout may seem like an easy alternative — no weights and minimal equipment make for an easy workout, right? Wrong! If you have a Swiss ball, you can get a killer workout at home and still make progress toward your swimming performance goals. Swiss Ball Dryland Workout This workout hits your full body in just 30 minutes, using the versatile Swiss Ball to help you build stability and strength via low-impact exercises. Dynamic Warm Up Perform 15 seconds of each exercise. Jumping JacksCross JacksDynamic Hamstring StretchSwiss Ball Arm CirclesSwiss…
