If you’re looking to get fit, it definitely pays to hop in the pool. Today, we’ll explore some basic beginner swimming tips. These will help you get acclimated to the water and enjoy yourself. After all, there are many health benefits to swimming. Swimming is a whole body exercise that manages to work multiple muscles at the same time.

If that sounds healthy to you, let’s jump in!

Swimming Tips

Learn from a Pro

Before we go any further, let’s talk about taking swimming lessons. No matter what, learning detailed swimming tips from a professional instructor will always be the smartest choice you can make. At Life Saver Pool Fence, our top concern is keeping children safe… but water safety is something that everyone should consider. Fortunately, there are lessons available for both children and adults. One of the best swimming tips of all is that you are never too old to learn!

Know Where to Swim

The next basic tip involves knowing where to swim. Ideally, you should only swim in a lifeguard-protected environment. An attentive lifeguard can mean the difference between life and death. Using active supervision, a lifeguard can assess your situation and quickly come to your rescue. They can also perform CPR if needed.

That said, you should never completely rely on the lifeguard. You must also take responsibility for your own security. It’s important to beware a false sense of security. If you’re in a pool, be aware of where the deep end is. That goes double for the beach. Pay attention to any buoys, flags and posted warning signs. These inform swimmers about potential drowning hazards. Any person that is not a strong swimmer should avoid these areas.

Start Out Slow 

For beginner swimmers, don’t rush into the water. Taking it slow is one of the smartest swimming tips we can offer. Relax and get comfortable in the shallow end before venturing any deeper.

First, try wading for a bit. Simply walk around to acclimate yourself. Next, try treading water and some light butterfly strokes in the shallow section. Practice breathing and gliding through the water to warm up.

Above all, you’ll want to be comfortable in the environment. As your blood starts flowing, you’ll become more accustomed to the water. With regular exercise, you’ll gradually become a stronger swimmer, but it is critical not to push yourself.

Kicking Into High Gear

When you’ve completed your warm-up, consider trying a few laps with a kickboard. This will help you manage your breathing and develop your leg strength. Breath management while swimming is trickier than a lot of folks expect. Exercising in an unfamiliar environment can leave you tired or gasping for air more often. There’s a rhythm to breathing while swimming. This is another reason why you should start slow.

Additionally, using a kickboard provides you with a floatation device just in case things get out of hand. Don’t rely too heavily on a kickboard to save you from accidental drowning. If you’re looking for a floatation device, you’ll want to use a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.

As we mentioned earlier, beginner swimmers should take some lessons from a professional instructor. It’s the safest and smartest way to learn how to swim.

Try Not to Panic

Finally, if you find yourself losing control, try to keep your cool. Panicking will only make the situation more dangerous. If you struggle with everything you’ve got, you’ll only end up tiring yourself out. Instead, calm down. Try to tread water. Don’t push yourself too hard. You only need to get your nose or mouth barely above the surface. In the end, this may help you to save yourself from drowning. If you’d like to learn more, read our full blog post on the subject.

These were some very basic swimming tips. It pays to learn as much as you can before dipping a toe into the pool. To learn more, be sure to check out the rest of our handy blogs.