Articles and Videos
The Skills and Drills Needed for Your Breaststroke Pullouts
Pullouts are a difference-maker. I’m sure you’ve seen a swimmer completely dominate their pullouts and beat another swimmer who was a superior breaststroker. The opposite can be true as well—great breaststrokers can lose races on inferior pullouts. Pullouts can be major advantage or disadvantage depending on your skills.
Should I Use Ice or Heat for Sore Swimming Muscles?
Here’s some of the research available on the topic, to find what works best and when.
Busting 3 Myths About Fast Swimmers (and Revealing the Truths Behind Them)
If you watched the 2024 Olympics—and what an event that was—you were likely wowed by the athletic prowess of all the athletes, especially the swimmers. Maybe you went back to your Masters practice and marveled with all the swim geeks at your favorite performances. And eventually the talk turned to, “Why are these athletes so fast?”
What Are the Markings on the Bottom of the Pool For?
Competition pools have markings on the bottom and walls and in the lane lines. Most competitive swimmers learn what and where these are, but if you’ve never competed or are new to swimming, you might not know how to make best use of these markings to produce your fastest swims.
Ed Saltzman Receives Capt. Ransom J. Arthur M.D. Award for His Volunteerism
When his phone rang one August morning, Ed Saltzman wasn’t expecting the major news that he would be receiving the 2025 Capt. Ransom J. Arthur M.D. Award.
Can I Swim After a C-Section?
C-sections carry a higher risk of complications, such as infection, because they’re major surgical procedures. Loss of blood, blood clots, and injuries to the bowel, bladder, and other abdominal structures can also arise.
Use Your Head to Fix Your Body Position and Alignment
Your body position, which is affected by your head position, will determine how fast you can swim.
Busting 3 Triathlon Swim Training Myths
Many new triathletes believe that if they have a high level of fitness and endurance from another sport, that it carries over to swimming. But if you don’t have a swimming background, the experience of hopping into even a sprint triathlon swim can be quite an eye opener. Even experienced pool swimmers have had this experience and found it unsettling.
How Coaches Can Make Try Masters Swimming a Success for Their Club
Try Masters Swimming allows coaches to offer a sneak peek into what makes their clubs so great by allowing prospective members to try at least two free workouts.
Can I Swim After Getting My Ears Pierced?
Any kind of piercing, whether the traditional earlobe kind or on a less common location on the body, can expand your world of jewelry and accessorizing fun. But they can also open a chance of infection. And swimming can increase your risk of developing infections after a piercing.
How to Catch a Wave in Open Water Swimming
There’s no feeling like catching a wave into shore and surging onto the beach.
How You Can Achieve Peak Swimming Fitness After Turning 40
Gone are the days when turning 40 meant you were “over the hill.” Now, 40 is the new 30, and for many of us, we’re just hitting our stride as we enter our fifth decade.
Which Breaststroke Pull Style Are You?
Breaststroke can be swum effectively and fast using many different styles and techniques. It’s also true that there are a tremendous number of ways to swim breaststroke poorly. Some swimmers are better breaststroke kickers than pullers, or better pullers than kickers. Some are good at pulling and kicking but have bad rhythm and timing. And there are those rare natural breaststrokers who have it all together and everything in the right place at the right time.
How To Get Back Into Swimming After Giving Birth
Here’s what to be aware of when aiming to reestablish a swimming routine after pregnancy and delivery.
What Are These Bugs in the Swimming Pool?
Here are some of the most common types of bugs you’re likely to find in the pool and unpack whether they present any health or safety risks.
How Swimmers Can Work Through Sore Muscles
If you work out regularly, you’re likely used to occasionally feeling sore afterward. It’s common, and not usually a problem. Here’s what to know about muscle soreness and when it’s time to back off.
How Can I Keep My Hair Healthy While Swimming?
The widely used sanitizing chemical chlorine is great for keeping pool water safe to swim in, but it comes with a big downside for your hair—it can be incredibly harsh.
3 Myths About Breaststroke
Breaststroke is a complicated stroke to learn. Here are three common myths about the stroke and the truths behind them.
Why Swimmer's Shoulder Might Not Be Just an Overuse Injury
Although many swimmers attribute nagging shoulder aches and pains to overuse, if an injury were solely from overuse, both shoulders would hurt, since both shoulders do the same amount of yardage in the pool.
Can Swimming Cause Ear Infections?
The good news for swimmers is that ear infections are preventable. Ear plugs make a big difference in sealing water out of the ear canal. Be sure to find plugs that fit your ears well and will stay in place—poorly fitting ear plugs can permit water to infiltrate the ear canal and then trap it there leading to potential infection.
