Most people learn to swim at a young age. In fact, the AAP recommends swimming lessons for children as young as age 1. However, it is never too late to learn to swim.
You can learn to swim as an adult and enjoy the perks of being a swimmer. So, how to learn to swim as an adult? Let’s find out:
Firstly, Figure Out Why You Want to Learn to Swim
Start by understanding the importance of learning to swim. It will motivate you and help you be a better swimmer. Here are some of the main advantages of learning to swim as an adult:
It’s Good For Your Physical and Mental Health
Swimming is great for your physical and mental health. It improves cardiovascular health, reduces the risk of hypertension, and strengthens muscles. Plus, it can help lose weight. In addition, it is believed that learning to swim as an adult can improve your cognitive health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, it can help fight stress, which is common among adults.
You Will Have a Feeling of Accomplishment
Learning to swim as an adult will make you more confident and add a new skill to your resume. Knowing you can stay in control underwater is a great accomplishment that can make people happier.
Can Open New Avenues for You
Learning to swim can open new avenues for you, including new work opportunities. For example, you can start a new career and be a lifeguard or swimming coach.
You’ll Be Able to Enjoy the Water
Once you learn to swim, you will be able to try watersports and activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling. As a result, visiting the beach will be more fun.
You’ll Feel Safer
Above all, swimming will make you safer in the pool, at the beach, and around the water. Plus, you will be in a position to protect others.
Tips to Learn to Swim As an Adult
Let’s now have a look at some tips to be a good swimmer:
Make Water Your Friend
The first step is to be comfortable in the water. Start from the kid’s pool or shallow end of the pool and move to the center or bigger pool once you are comfortable.
Don’t worry if you feel scared, it is common for non-swimmers to feel uncomfortable in the pool. Build your confidence by having fun in the pool. A few things you can do include:
- Walk around. Splash water on your face.
- Sit on the edge and put your feet in the water if you are not comfortable to get in yet.
- Once comfortable, bob up and down. You don’t have to stay in the water for too long. Come out when you feel uncomfortable.
It is very important to be comfortable underwater so learn to see underwater and try to exhale out of your mouth or nose when underwater. Your aim should be to be able to spend at least 20 seconds underwater but make sure to go slowly.
Learn About Swimming
Spend some time learning about swimming, including swimming vocabulary. A large number of people are scared of swimming because they do not know how it works. Instead of thinking about negative things, fill your head with positive thoughts and watch swimming videos, read blogs, etc.
You can even read about skincare for swimmers to understand more about what swimmers go through. It is important to understand swimming and get excited about it.
Understand What You Are Afraid Of
As stated earlier, it is common to be scared. Don’t worry if you are afraid of the pool. Determine the cause of your fear and overcome it by using these techniques:
- Use a safety tool such as a tube.
- Practice in the presence of a trusted friend.
- Do not enter deep pools.
Start Slow
Once you are comfortable staying in the water, the next step is to learn to float on your stomach and back. Once you have mastered the art of floating, you will be able to move to more advanced skills such as pushing off the wall.
Use your legs to move in the opposite direction and use your body to glide for as long as you can. This will cause your body to naturally float to the surface.
Start Swimming
Once you are comfortable with the above tricks, it is time to start freestyle strokes. Don’t worry if you aren’t able to pull it off in the beginning. Freestyle is not easy and can take a few weeks to perfect.
It’s important that you do not get discouraged and continue to put your best foot forward.
Practice Regularly
Make sure to continue to practice to polish your skills. Most experts believe that you need to swim for 40-45 minutes per day to improve your skills.
You will not be able to learn to swim if you give up or are inconsistent. In fact, missing your lessons can cause you to go in the opposite direction instead of making progress.
Most Importantly, Sign Up for a Course
There are dozens of video tutorials and online courses available on the internet that claim to help people learn to swim in only a few days. However, we believe that they are not very effective as you can never be a good swimmer until you enter a pool.
It doesn’t matter how many courses you go through and how many videos you watch, you will not be able to learn to swim till you swim in a pool. So, put your inhibitions aside and sign up for a swimming class. Here are a few things to remember:
- Ensure the class is suitable for adults as some classes are for young learners.
- The schedule must meet your requirements, i.e.: move at your pace.
- The coach should understand your agenda, for example: swimming in a pool is different from swimming in the ocean. Your coach should understand why you’re wanting to learn to swim.
It usually takes about 100-120 hours of training to be a master swimmer, so start your journey today and make sure to enjoy it.
