Swimming FAQs
Make a splash for all of the right reasons, whether you’re in the pool for leisure, training or competition, with our
guide to all things swimming.
How Do I Warm Up for a Swim?
Warming up before you swim is vital to ensure you get the most out of your session, ensuring your muscles are ready for
the workout ahead.
Top 5 Stretches Before Getting in the Pool
I Know How to Swim - But What About Breathing Techniques?
There are two key aspects to master to become comfortable breathing in the swimming pool. These are keeping your face submerged in the water and finding a rhythm to your breathing.
Swimming with your face in the water, rather than with your head up, makes for an easier swim as there is less drag when the body is flat. Less drag means less resistance.
Of course, you then need to grasp breathing with your head in the water. The key is to begin to exhale, with your face in the water, as soon as you finish breathing in. This means, as soon as it's time to breathe, your lungs are empty and ready for a refill.
Must-Haves for Your Swimming Bag
Kit yourself out for the pool, whether you’re inside, outside or even just pool side.
Our range of men’s swimwear, ladies swimwear
and kids swimwear
features shorts, jammers, swimsuits bikinis and sets. A multitude
of technologies, fits and cuts, including chlorine resistance, lightweight constructions and UPF is brought to you from
experts including Speedo, Slazenger and Nike.
Get pool side ready in style and with safety in our collection of pool shoes, including sliders and aqua shoes, from the likes of Hot Tuna, Gul
and adidas.
Our specialist accessories and equipment
will ensure you’re prepared for training sessions, recreational swimming or race days. A wide selection of googles,
swimming caps, nose pegs and ear plugs from top brands and experts like Speedo will bring comfort and the determination
to help you go even further.
Armbands and float vests for children have
been crafted for the development of both swimming skills and water confidence.
Swimming Glossary
Aerobic
Swims that are performed at an easy to moderate pace and are longer in distance and duration
Anaerobic
Swimming at an intense rate in which the body is unable to keep up with the muscles' demands for oxygen
Backstroke
A swimming stroke on the back in which a flutter kick is coordinated with alternating circular arm pulls
BPM
Beats per minute (heart rate)
Breaststroke
Performed by a backward motion of the arms, plus both legs brought forward with the knees together, the
feet are turned outward, and then pushed back with a glide
Dolphin Kick
A technique of the butterfly, where the legs
and feet remain firmly together and the hips create a rolling motion to the lower half of the body
DPS
Distance per stroke
Freestyle
Or front crawl – sees a flutter kick alongside reaching forward with alternating strokes
Long Course
A competition held in a 50 metre pool
Medley
A race in which an individual or team swim all four swimming strokes - backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and
freestyle
Meet
A swimming competition between two or more teams
PB
Personal best – whether it be a specific stroke or a certain distance
Pull Buoy
Used to improve a swimmer's power, held between the thighs to float the hips and legs at the surface of the
water
Short Course
A swimming pool 25 meters in length
Stroke Rate
Counting both arms, this is the rate of how many strokes a swimmer takes in a minute
Tumble Turn
An open turn used to reverse a swimmer’s direction