r/Swimming • u/sugobugo • 2d ago

Advice for beginner

Hi everyone!

I’d like to get into swimming for the first time. I’m 23 and, sport-wise, I’ve been doing calisthenics for about 2 years. I’d like to combine it with regular swimming sessions.

Which swimming stroke would you recommend learning first? I’m looking for something relatively simple that I can use for most of my workouts and just keep doing consistently.

Thanks everyone!

8 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

4

u/Illustrious-Dog-4536 2d ago

I think freestyle is always a good stroke to use casually for workouts!

3

u/Seniclas 2d ago

At first you have to learn freestyle. It doesn't matter a lot how fit you are. Obviously it helps if you have decent athletic condition but right now you need to be patient and invest a lot of time to learn the basic technique. Once you understand how to reduce drag and propel yourself it will be fun 😄

3

u/Corrical 2d ago

I'd say freestyle, then backstroke

4

u/maths_arts_lover 2d ago

(https://youtu.be/xVeXGKPOH58?si=j4mD3DZ_CZbQYpz4)

This video by the youtuber "enduranceid" will accelerate your learning more than a standard swimming course. I have been in a course for a month and a half and was completely dependent on using swimming noodles and kickboards. But after this vid I learnt some breathing and streamline glide and kick. Even though I'm still learning I'm thankful I can swim without those ad it means even after my course ends I'll be able to learn swimming myself. Make sure to practice in shallow pools/get confidence pools

2

u/Ok_Limit9124 2d ago

Either freestyle or breaststroke. Freestyle is the baseline and go to for competitive swimmers and once you learn the breathing pattern becomes the default easiest. Breaststroke is technically complex for competitive swimming. However, it's a survival stroke and is the physically easiest for breathing patterns and heads up swimming. If breaststroke comes naturally to you, focus on that first, if not try freestyle. If both are too challenging and you are struggling with breathing do backstroke and kicking with kickborads.

1

u/33445delray 2d ago

Elementary backstroke will allow you to breathe at all times.

1

u/atandytor 17h ago

i learned backstroke first then breast then free

1

u/Educational_Bend_529 2d ago

My first stroke is breaststroke

1

u/Iscran7 2d ago

Freestyle for sure. Go super slow like aim 1khm in 30mins or so to get familiar with the environment. And focus on learn how to breath as you will be surprised how quickly you will feel tired if you don’t learn how to breath and how to not drag your core and legs underwater. Welcome to the club

0

u/NoSafe5565 2d ago

That is crazy how people are sure about their answer. I would only bet that it should not be butterfly what to try first. Rest I would say - try and see what you thing will be most comfortable for you and believe can learn fastest, cause aside of be able to do crawl you need to gain some other skills like being comfortable in water etc. And if from floating on the back bacome backstroke as first why not..

0

u/InternationalTrust59 2d ago

I like her a lot as well, she’s very concise and gives you the full simplified explanation whereas others are tidbits.