I can’t float on my front or back to save my life. I’ve read various strategies and watched YouTube videos but I can’t figure it out. Any tips from others out there that have a hard time.
When attempting on either front or back, my legs drop within 2-3 seconds. I have attempted tightening my core, pushing my head down… No luck. I think learning to float would really improve my swim. Same idea, when I swim, my legs drop near the bottom. If I kick enough to keep my legs up, I fatigue quickly.
To put it into perspective, I swam 1500 yards straight today with a pull buoy and it felt effortless… I could have gone 1500 more easy. I then swam 200 yards without the buoy and felt exhausted… And was :15/100 slower!
Any drills or tips from others that have struggled?
Wish I could help you but I’m the same way. I sink like a rock. But I’ve been told anyone can float so I’m interested in what others say.
I’m a runner with pretty low body fat. At some point doesn’t physics just take over? If a person is more dense than water, won’t they just sink no matter what they do?
Actually, I would focus on swim technique. I’m a former fish and I can’t float without some movement. Just a little forward momentum and a good swim technique will do wonders. So, in a nutshell, work on technique rather than buoyancy. With good technique, swimming can be as effortless as walking.
Take a look at some Total Immersion books and videos. Balance in the water is one of the first skills you learn. There is a combination of things that are required to keep balance and the TI drills take you through each one in a step by step process.
Eat about 1000 calories more then you expend and in no time at all, you’ll be floating like a log.
I am pretty muscular, with little fat and I can float…its about two things, finding your center point (balance) and relaxation. Anyone can learn to do it…I used to sink like a rock and now can float on my back or stomach. There is a technique for this like there is for all swimming.
the youtube video ref’d above is spot on. depending on your body size and shape it can be quite difficult to get flat in the water.
note the body structure of elite swimmers. for example, mike phelps is 6’4’’ tall but his wingspan is that of someone 6’7" and his legs are equal to someone 5’10"! this means the greater weight of the arms overhead and less weight in the legs moves his center of gravity closer to center of buoyancy.
it also helps to be more relaxed in the water. the more you train and get comfortable in the water the more you will be able to relax the abdomen and take a deeper inhalation. more air=more buoyancy. try the drill in the video with very full lungs and then with half empty lungs - very different. it’s hard to relax the abdomen and take a deep breath while swimming but it helps.
I am in the same boat as you…up until recently I was a lead weight…especially my legs which are really muscular. Now, before every swim session I start with balance drills. I am learning to float but I can only stay blanced for a few seconds…my arms are extended, face looking straight down and my legs must flutter a little(dont have to kick hard)…and then i am basically a slow sinking board which is a large improvement for me. I do this few times and when I start feeling good and relaxed…I then start a slow focus on the pull…this gives me some propulsion through the water which, in turn, adds a little upward lift to my legs. This is where I start swimming…I keep it very relaxed, very slow and smooth…I am getting to where I only have to flutter kick my feet every few strokes. My distance and speed are improving weekly…effort seems to be geting easier. I am at a disadvantage vs other swimmers because of my heavy legs but it is something that can be overcome…my biggest problem the last 1.5 years had been patience in addition to trying to become a better swimmer by ‘giving it all it got’ mentality(my old football mentality). You obviously have similar physical limiters with your swim…‘sinking feet’…i feel that 1) an increased pull will help drive the feet up and 2) teaching the feet to flutter every few strokes helps keep fatigue from jumping on my back. hope this helps and be sure to share anything that helps you out…because I need all the help I can get.
its quite a conundrum because to have a good pull…your feet need to be up…and keeping your feet up requires an energy sucking kick…just go in there with a focus on balance…then move to the pull.
I’ll quote Douglas Adams in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy on how to fly:
“The Guide says there is an art to flying", said Ford, "or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
So, to swim, you have to attempt to sink, and miss.
My point is that the more you fight it, the less buoyant you become. Try to stay long and level with the water, rather than fighting to try to be above the water line. Relax.
I did a lot of swimming with no kicking at all. That strengthened up my core muscles which pulled up my legs like described in the video.
At first your legs will drag the bottom, but after a while you’ll see they will find their way towards the top of the water. It takes time, but it worked for me.
It’s not possible… simple physics… with a full lung of air. I think your can do it if you let out enough of the air in your lungs not to sink, but to balance yourself out. IF your buoyancy is created from the air in your lungs and you lungs are above your center of mass, the lower portion will sink.
I also don’t see how it’s important. Floating and good body position are directly linked. I’d rather look at how someone’s body position looks when they push off the wall and kick lightly.
Actually, I would focus on swim technique. I’m a former fish and I can’t float without some movement. Just a little forward momentum and a good swim technique will do wonders. So, in a nutshell, work on technique rather than buoyancy. With good technique, swimming can be as effortless as walking.
Good luck!
This helps bit not much. I too sink and have always done so to the point of no return.
Actually, I would focus on swim technique. I’m a former fish and I can’t float without some movement. Just a little forward momentum and a good swim technique will do wonders. So, in a nutshell, work on technique rather than buoyancy. With good technique, swimming can be as effortless as walking.
Good luck!
This helps bit not much. I too sink and have always done so to the point of no return.
Yeah, as soon as I posted it, I realized “swim technique” is kind of vague. I think what I said is correct, but, like you said, not overly helpful.
I have a drill for folks to try if they want. Caveat: I’m not a swim coach/instructor. But, I’m sure I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express at some point in my life.
Drill: Push off the wall and streamline underwater as far as possible (no kicking). Just before you stop moving, start flutter kicking underwater to see if you can maintain forward momentum while you keep your body streamlined. Try to stay level and underwater during the entire drill (streamlining and kicking). This follows some of the post above about center of gravity/balance being important. This should also engage your core muscles when you streamline and kick.
Some people float better than others. Simple as that. Try taking a deep breath and diving to the bottom of the deep end in your pool. Remain perfectly still and see if you float to the surface. If you do then you can float. I will remain at the bottom unless I move my arms or legs a little. Some people don’t believe this until I show them. I know people who are much leaner than me but float allot better so it’s not just muscle vs fat. How much faster are you in your wetsuit than without it? For me it’s minimum 30%. For others there is almost no difference.
face down, hold a deep breath and just totally relax. You will not be any more than 3-4 inches under water.
It gives you confidence that you can stay alive for long periods by not panicking.
Practice for 3-5 minutes per swim session for a month or so, but be prepared for the people who think you ARE dead
You don’t need to be able to float to swim well. I’m a former fairly decent swimmer (sub-4min 400m 25 years ago!) and I could never float to save my like. Same as you, my legs would just sink. True, it is all about technique…
For the swim portion of a triathlon, you probably want to do a 2-beat kick, which means that every time your arm enters the water at the front, the opposite leg kicks once; 6-beat kick is faster, but you want to save the legs for later, not to mention all the oxygen that those big muscles consume. Don’t bend your knees too much; try and kick from the hip. Also make sure you roll your shoulders/torso a lot more that you probably are – the line between your shoulders should basically be vertical during your arm recovery.
I’ll second the Deadman’s float. I’d even say it can be used to prove that anyone will float. Go to the deep end of the pool and lay stomach down with your body completely relaxed so your limbs are pointing downward. Then slowly raise your arms and legs, almost as if you are stretching out. It will take maybe 15-20 seconds but your body should rise up to the surface of the water and float. It’s cool because it will give you a feel for your natural position in the water.
I’ll second the Deadman’s float. I**'d even say it can be used to prove that anyone will float.** Go to the deep end of the pool and lay stomach down with your body completely relaxed so your limbs are pointing downward. Then slowly raise your arms and legs, almost as if you are stretching out. It will take maybe 15-20 seconds but your body should rise up to the surface of the water and float. It’s cool because it will give you a feel for your natural position in the water.
Almost anyone. There are a few of us out there who will stay at the bottom and in my case even with air in my lungs. It is rare for a persons body mass to be heavier than water but it does happen. Maybe it’s bone density or something.
