Reducing the number of strokes you take per pool length is only good if you are actually swimming faster, too… Sheila Taormina explains the relationship between DPS (distance per stroke) and stroke rate.
Check out an example of how swimmers take fewer strokes–and swim slower.
There is a valuable tool in swimming that lets you know if you are directing your energy the right way and holding water as you ratchet up the speed. It is called stroke data.
A reader sent in a question recently about stroke rate. He noticed that his stroke rate had fallen after beginning the Swim Speed Workouts training program, resulting in fewer strokes per length.
You need to know your swimming stroke rate. If you don’t, there’s a good chance you’re leaving speed in the water.
Your swimming tempo or stroke rate is as important as stroke count. A swimmer must strive to lower either of the two numbers without adversely affecting the over-all equation. Sheila discusses how timing can enable improvements in your swimming equation.
In her book Swim Speed Workouts, 4-time Olympian Sheila Taormina describes a key concept for developing your fastest freestyle, the Serape Core Drive.
A reader Larry has asked this insightful question: “If I am reading your book right, you seem to think the idea of streamlining is something that has somehow been misinterpreted by the masses.” Sheila responds.
A Swim Speed reader asks, “How long is too long to hold your arm out in front?” When does arm extension become gliding? Sheila Taormina answers.
Gliding makes you a slower swimmer. See why in this post on the Swimming Equation.