#438 : How To Swim Freestyle With (Almost) Zero Effort with Brenton Ford
The Effortless Swimming PodcastShow Notes
Want to swim freestyle with less effort while moving faster through the water? In this episode, Brenton shares the three key principles that make freestyle feel smooth and effortless: improving your balance and body position, using rotation to maximize efficiency, and timing your stroke and kick so your whole body works together. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced swimmer looking to conserve energy, these simple technique adjustments can help you swim farther, faster, and with much less effort.
00:35 The #1 Secret: Let the Water Hold You Up 01:12 Head Position for Better Balance 02:48 Use Your Lungs to Improve Buoyancy 04:18 Step 2: Rotate for an Effortless Stroke 05:04 Relax Your Recovery 07:29 Step 3: Master Your Stroke Timing 11:42 Beginner vs Faster Freestyle Programs
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Kelly Palace just broke the world record for the 65-69 age group in the 1500m long course freestyle, swimming 20:19 on only about 12,000 meters a week. She also broke the 400m record this summer (5:09). Kelly is a 1984 US Olympic Trials qualifier and the first woman head coach in the Southeastern Conference. In this episode she explains why distance swimmers need real speed, shares her favorite sets (including "descend by equipment"), and describes the underwater technique behind her noisy stroke. She also talks about what she has learned from 350+ podcast guests, and why swimmers should take breaks but never retire.
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#443 : If You Want Your Swimming To 'Click', Do This with Brenton Ford
Shoulder pain after swimming? Your technique could be the reason. In this episode, we look at three common freestyle mistakes that can place unnecessary stress on the shoulder: an overly high elbow, crossing over the centre line, and overdoing the catch. Through clear demonstrations and underwater footage, you'll learn how to make your stroke more natural, efficient, and shoulder-friendly. A great episode for swimmers looking to improve their freestyle technique while reducing unnecessary strain.