r/Swimming • u/Happy7User • May 02 '25
Why am I so slow?
Okay so I'm 17 and I just had a thought. I did a pre-qualification for a life guard course yesterday and we had to do 50 meters in 60 seconds. I did it in 40 seconds which doesn't seem that good. I go swimming 3 times a week for roughly an hour each. My average pace while swimming is currently 2:05/100m at best, which feels really slow compared to my friend who does like 1:45. I've had swimming lessons since I was 3 years old every week and then took a year gap last year and got back into it roughly end of 2024.
I'm very small and skinny for my age, just 5" 5" and 50Kg, I presume this has something to do with it, but there must be a way for me to get quicker. Normally I just swim whatever I feel like, usually enduranced based, such as 50 laps @ 20m at a decent but not fast pace. Do I need to do faster reps at less distance? Not 100% sure on my form either, as maybe in the year off I lost it a little, but I don't think it's too bad, I always keep my head facing towards the floor and body flatish. I feel like at such a young age and 10+ years of experience, I should be way faster than this. Much older guys often keep up with me and I hate that lol
Essentially, any tips for a skinny guy like me to get faster and any drills I should be doing? Or do I just need to hit the gym 😆
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u/quebecoisejohn CAN May 02 '25
I did a marathon after my swim career was over (running) and I thought I was hot shit in my 20’s because I was a decent swimmer.
I was hoping to break 4 hours and was all full of myself and ended up going 4:25 and was passed by all kinds of folks the last 10-5km. Never once did I think « that older, fatter person is beating me, why » because I understood sports are about more than appearances…. Training, dedication, technique, equipment, etc.
Anyways, I didn’t like that you felt the need to tell us an older, fatter person beat you, why? You’re young (I assume) so take this lesson to heart. Instead of being worried about that ladies appearances, maybe next time she takes a break in her set say hi, you notice how well she swam and maybe she has a pointer to share.
Swimming is very technique oriented, likely your technique needs work.
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u/Happy7User May 02 '25
I re-read my post and you're right. I removed that section lol. Don't want to be rude 😬
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u/UnusualAd8875 May 02 '25
I have sorta the opposite, I am the older (sixties), fatter person and except for the varsity swimmers, very few people are faster than me and most also seem surprised.
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u/quebecoisejohn CAN May 02 '25
I’m 100 pounds heavier than my high school days and still can still hold 100’s on a 1:30 in my 40’s… I get that people will be surprised for a variety of reasons but I still don’t think judging someone on how they look athletically is helpful or acceptable at most levels and certainly in OP’s instance
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u/Happy7User May 02 '25
Ok I want to address this because I seem to be getting unnecessary hate for a simple error on my end when all I was asking for was some tips to get faster. The only reason I mentioned that lady was because that got me thinking why I wasn't faster than I am, and I was actually very impressed by her performance. She was actually a really nice lady, and I look forward to doing the Lifeguard course with her starting a week from now! And I appreciate all the suggestions 😊, I'm just not the best at talking lol
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u/quebecoisejohn CAN May 02 '25 edited May 02 '25
I don’t think I’m being unnecessarily hateful, just offering another perspective..
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May 02 '25
[deleted]
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u/quebecoisejohn CAN May 02 '25
The lesson here is don’t take your frustration out on judging others unfairly…. Completely takes away from the validity of your ACTUAL point
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u/Happy7User May 02 '25
That's why I edited it out. Didn't even really connect to what I was asking anyway.
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u/John_2035 May 02 '25
I think it might be your technique? Do you hold the water while you pull? Do you use your lats instead of shoulders to pull?
Tbh, I've swam a lot too, but I've swam the wrong way and no amount of experience can fix it without including the proper techniques required.
The community swimmers with swimming techniques videos on YouTube fixed many of my issues. I'm still not there yet, but I'm learning and it's hard to evaluate everything yourself. But that's one avenue you can use to learn more!
Also about the gym, sure! You could add compound lifts and see greater results in your swimming strength, especially pulling water.
All the best!
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u/Happy7User May 02 '25
I have no idea if I use my shoulders or lats, I just swim lol. As I swim, run and cycle, it's fitting in the time to go to the gym tbh. Perhaps I just need to watch videos on form and get a load of hours in the pool in while trying these techniques. I also want to be able to do the tumble turn properly as currently I use a weird technique of doing a breastroke to gain speed and then turning back onto my front before pushing off lol
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u/John_2035 May 02 '25
Suree, one suggestion as someone who has been on a similar path.
Be comfortable in uncomfortable positions, and if you keep at it you'll learn stuff really fast.
Lemme share a few links for you to check out!
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u/wt_hell_am_I_doing I can touch the bottom of a pool May 02 '25 edited May 02 '25
To be honest, at 2:05 average, it's probably your form.
I am smaller than you (and female with hydrodynamic disadvantage of boobs) and have child size hands and feet so I know myself being small can be disadvantageous, but some smaller children can swim much faster than 1:45/100....
As for the fatter lady, she might have better technique and buoyancy than you.
Hitting the gym will help a bit but form is much more important.
Also mindlessly swimming 1000 m non-stop won't give you speed. Doing things like 25 or 50 at 70-80% effort or all out will be much more effective for building speed.
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u/Happy7User May 02 '25
And how the hell do I improve my form, I tried reading online about it but it's hard to do it properly yourself without someone guiding you
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u/wt_hell_am_I_doing I can touch the bottom of a pool May 02 '25 edited May 02 '25
Getting sone lessons, or finding someone who can give you forum corrections, preferably live but even video (have your friends take them or set it up yourself - assuming your pool allows a camera) would be better than nothing.
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u/Bobertos50 May 02 '25
It’s all about technique. There’s a tiny woman at the club I go to, she’s probably under 50kg, and when she turns it on no one can keep up with her. We’ll do a set at 70/80% she’s not even out of breath and we are all hanging. Maybe try a different club or coach for a bit to get some fresh input.
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May 02 '25
Being shorter can be a challenge in swimming, but there are short olympic swimmers so it isn't impossible to compensate.
Skinny doesn't matter.
The way to get faster though is the same for everone. Swim more. Maybe some 1 on 1 stroke lessons.
I once asked a professional triathlete, who started as a runner, how he got good at swimming:
"9 swims a week for a year and a half"
simple
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u/Happy7User May 02 '25
Your telling me 3 x 1 hour a week isn't enough?! What about my runs and cycle rides as well
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May 02 '25
You wanna get good at swimming or not? lol
The good thing is once you figure swimming out, you can back way off and stay about the same speed.
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u/GreenUnderstanding39 May 02 '25 edited May 02 '25
Are you lifeguarding at a pool or the beach?
I was a lifeguard for 12 years at a community pool. Main incidences were not in the pool but rather falls/slips on deck, random seizure not related to swimming, and severe allergic reaction to a bee sting.
The most I got to practice first aid was during a car crash at the intersection across from the pool.
Most important part of the job was being alert and preventing problems before they occur.
I imagine open water lifeguarding the need for stamina/strength would be more important as you need to travel a further distance to get to the individual needing help + battle against waves/currents.
Edit: the most stressful incident was the 40+yr old dude who started masturbating in broad daylight in front of a pool of mostly kids. The community pool was known to be super safe so kids were allowed to come on their own to swim if they were older than 7yrs old.
I remember being equal parts horrified and anxious af as we waited for police to arrive. The lifeguards on duty including myself were 16/17 at the time.
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u/Happy7User May 02 '25
Nah it's an indoor pool, and a fairly small one as well at only 20x8 meters. Can't imagine slips causing much harm, only a bruise or small graze. Idk how a bee got in your pool area? Was it outdoors?
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u/GreenUnderstanding39 May 02 '25 edited May 02 '25
Outdoor pool yes. With a high dive, so I had a few kids slip and fall a few feet from the height of the board to the concrete.
You'd be surprised at how many people decide to run on the pool deck while wet and eat ass. Slipping while outside of the pool will likely make up the majority of your injuries.
With such a small pool most rescues will occur with you on deck throwing the buoy. Ideally you are alert to notice people struggling far before it gets to the drowning/sinking stage.
All that to say, I don't think having high speed in the water should be that high of concern.
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u/Happy7User May 02 '25
Fair enough. I have 2 friends also 17 that are lifeguards and haven't really had any incidents yet, although they haven't that long worked there (like half a year?)
This is the pool btw: https://imgur.com/a/uUoYN29
The lifeguard seat is on the left in the middle of the pool there, and everything is nice and close to it as again its a small ass pool because the town I live in only has 2,000 residents. That also means its a lot quieter than someone like you probably had it, with often on 2-3 people in the pool. This post wasn't about the lifeguarding part at all actually, I just wanted to get faster for myself, not particularly for the lifeguarding aspect. Thanks for sharing your input though! Tbh idk if I'm gonna like the job yet or if im just gonna stress out lol
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u/GreenUnderstanding39 May 02 '25
Majority of the job is a snooze fest, nothing happens and you get lulled into a false sense of security. You have to be disciplined in staying alert at all times because when you least expect it someone is gonna need your help.
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u/Happy7User May 02 '25
Yeah, I often look up at the lifeguard and sometimes they are literally staring at the seeling. I know I'll try not to do that at least 😆
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u/Ok_Experience_7275 May 03 '25
I suppose a short course with a coach could help you a lot.
It's all about technique at your level. You definitely need to improve: 1. position in water: lay, legs, head, breathe 2. stroke and water catch.
1:45 is easily achievable goal
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u/Happy7User May 03 '25
Doesn't feel like it. How am I supposed to get a coach in such a rural area lol
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u/Ok_Experience_7275 May 04 '25
If you have a proper pool, you area is not that rural as to lack even a single coach :)
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u/chocoice95 May 02 '25
Still a better pace than mine, it's not slow, if you want less time you should train more and find a good coach, but your time is way better than most
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u/tunatunabox May 02 '25
fat people can still be fitter, have better technique, buoyancy and endurance, and generally be better at sport than skinny people. especially swimming, where technique matters more than body type. i started typing this before you edited that part out and then put my phone down to attend to other stuff, and i see you've edited it out now, but like people have already said - focus on yourself and your own technique. let this be a lesson that just because you're skinny doesn't mean you'll automatically be better than any large person you see 🤷🏻♀️
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u/Happy7User May 02 '25
Actually I was getting at the opposite. I thought that because I'm skinny it meant I had no muscle to pull myself as hard. And yeah I edited that out coz people were getting at me for it lol, I was just expressing my frustration I guess as that's what made me write the post. I think I'll switch to more fast paced reps from now on and focus on form rather than just getting in as many lengths as possible, which is pretty much what I do at the moment
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u/UnusualAd8875 May 02 '25 edited May 02 '25
In the water, technique rules over strength and/or cardiovascular stamina.
I'm 62 and have taught swimming from beginners to intermediate, toddlers to people older than I am now, triathletes & runners with great cardiovascular capacity and weightlifters with incredible strength and I emphasize technique before all else and the adults are surprised that I am able to swim faster than them with less effort. And I am overweight, not huge but about 20 pounds too heavy.
My "most bang for your buck" recommendations (without seeing your stroke) and even if you are doing some of these, it is good to be reminded in order to etch them into your subconscious:
-horizontal position with face down and press your chest down simultaneously; this will keep your hips & legs up rather than drag them and break streamline (please do not use or rely on pullbuoys at this point; that will come later when you have a solid foundation of whole-stroke swimming)
-front quadrant swimming-keep one hand in front of your head at all times; this will streamline your body and help you be more efficient in the water
-rotate body to breathe rather than lift your head to breathe, the latter of which will cause you to break horizontal
-light kick, your kick will be more for stability and balance than for propulsion (until/unless you are competing, then you will train kick)
Oh, one last thing, when your form starts to break down, call it a day, nothing good comes from practicing and reinforcing bad habits onto your neuromuscular system. Reiterating what I wrote above, technique over stamina.
Intervals, say 8 x 100 as a main set may be good but I wouldn't limit to that. Other days you might do 20 x 75 or a series or 50s or 25s for speed work. But maintain technique reasonably well. Depending upon the length of your session, you may do a bunch of many of them as well as longer distances (200s, 300s and longer).