7 Ways to Learn Swimming For Beginners

Learning to swim may be difficult or scary for some people. But don't give up because water sports are good for muscle and heart health, as well as your safety.

Learning to swim can be done by anyone, both children and adults. To be able to master this ability, of course it cannot be done in one practice. You can learn to swim in stages, starting from getting used to being in the water. 

Next, training can be continued by learning to float, breathe, and finally practicing techniques various swimming styles, starting from breaststroke, free, to backstroke and butterfly.

Learning to swim is not only good for strengthening the heart and lungs. Mastering this sport will also help you avoid the danger of drowning or be ready when you have to rescue yourself in an emergency this is 7 Ways to Learn Swimming For Beginners.

Tips and ways to learn to swim for beginners

The following is a way to learn to swim that beginners can try.

1. Get used to being in the water of a shallow pool

Getting used to being in the water is the first step that needs to be taken when you learn to swim. The method is simple. You can start by standing in a pool that is not too deep, so that if you stand, your feet can still touch the bottom of the pool and your head will not enter the water. 

Next, while still standing, begin to submerge your face in the water. Hold for five seconds while exhaling underwater, then lift your face out of the water again. This will make you feel the sensation of breathing underwater and slowly get used to being in the water.

2. Start learning to float in water

To be able to swim, you must be able to float in water. In fact, our bodies will automatically be able to float on water, but sometimes fear makes people not dare to actually let go of their grip or set their feet off the bottom of the pool.

Therefore, when you learn to float, start in a shallow pool so that if you have a reflex to stand up after trying to float for the first time, your feet can still reach the bottom of the pool. 

Learning to float can be started by positioning your body like a starfish with your legs and arms wide open. Try to stay in that position for a few seconds or even minutes, and feel like your body is floating on the surface of the water.

If you are used to this position, then you can start learning how to float properly when swimming, namely:

When floating, the position of the head, hips and legs must form a straight horizontal line (as if on your stomach or lying down).

If you swim with your torso hanging or your legs down, your swimming speed will be hampered. You will also waste more energy when swimming.

Try to dip your head deeper into the water to align your body if your feet are constantly lowering.

If your torso continues to hang, try to train the strength of your abdominal muscles more often so that your torso can stay straight when you are in the water. a>

3. Try to stay relaxed

One piece of advice that is often given to beginners learning to swim is to relax in the water. A relaxed state will prevent panic and save energy used when swimming.

But the relaxed condition when swimming is not just relaxing. The reason is, you must still be able to control your body position while in the water so that it remains aligned from head to toe.

4. Pay attention to good breathing techniques

How to learn to swim well also requires paying attention to proper breathing techniques. One thing that beginner swimmers must pay attention to is not to hold their breath when their head is in the water. When your head is in the water, you should exhale. 

Holding your breath underwater will cause your body to slow down and cause shortness of breath. This is what makes every swimming stroke, there is a time when your head rises to the surface because that's when you can take a breath.

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5. Position your hands and arms so that they are parallel to your shoulders

When swimming, lengthen your body with every movement of your arms. Keep your hands and arms parallel to your shoulders during each stroke.

When your hand goes back into the water, don't let the underwater movement pass through the middle of your body.

6. Pay attention to foot movements

Even though the main forces that move the body through the water are the hands and arms, don't underestimate the technique of leg movements. The mistake most often made by beginner swimmers is moving their legs too much or too excitedly.

Too much leg movement will only provide a small boost to the body's speed in the water. But this activity actually uses a lot of energy and quickly increases your heart rate. The reason is, leg movements will use the large muscles in the body such as the thigh muscles.

Instead, move your feet lightly and relax away from your thighs in a pointed toes position (point). No need to move your feet too excitedly. You just need to make sure your legs are always parallel to your torso.

7. Use tools to learn to swim

Several aids can help you learn to swim more easily. This tool is not a tire, because it will actually interfere with movement. Tools that can be used to learn to swim include special float boards made of plastic.

You can use the board as a handle when learning to swim forward.