Which type of swimming stroke is preferable?

Sometimes the many terms one hears can create more confusion than clarity. It is the same with the different swimming styles: Dolphin swimming style, old German swimming, swimming style English etc. Perhaps you are also wondering what is actually meant by all these terms? We want to give you some basic information about the different types of swimming. You can also find out which swimming styles are most beneficial for which health concerns.

 

FAQ: What types of swimming are there?

There are basically four different types of swimming: crawl swimming, breaststroke, backstroke and dolphin swimming.

1) The crawl swim is considered to be the easiest swimming style to learn. Educators justify this with the fact that the crawl is similar to "dog paddling" with small children who come into contact with water for the first time. The crawl is characterized by alternating arm pull and a permanent leg kick. This also makes it the fastest swimming style. Some estimates say that doing a freestyle swim burns 900 calories in an hour. So if you want to lose weight with swimming, you should do the crawl.

2) Breaststroke is the oldest known swimming style and at the same time also the most demanding and slowest. The straddle strike is typical for breaststroke swimming; in addition, underwater, the arms, which are lying together, are brought forward at the same time and then guided by a pushing movement against the swimming movement. Unfortunately, many mistakes are made in this type of swimming. An example of this is that many amateur swimmers have their heads constantly sticking out of the water and almost a kind of rigid neck sets in. What many understand by breaststroke has little to do with the official technique recommendations. If done correctly, the breaststroke is very strenuous. Fitness coaches recommend this swimming technique only to a limited extent due to the frequent mistakes. This applies especially to previous damage to the lumbar spine or knee joints.

3) The third official type of swimming is called the butterfly style or the dolphin swimming technique or butterfly. Both arms are led backwards underwater at the same time and then brought forward again over the head. The legs move in a whole body wave motion. If done correctly, the dolphin technique is the second fastest type of swimming and also very strenuous.

4) Finally, the backstroke is the fourth basic technique. The arms (similar to crawl swimming) are alternately moved backwards in the supine position, while the legs are alternately moved up and down from the hips. This back crawl has developed from the original old German swimming, whereby both arms are led backwards at the same time and the straddle strike is practiced. If you have problems with your back, you are well advised to do a back crawl, as all the supporting muscles are trained while the spine is spared. But here, too, the back crawl should be carried out correctly in order to have a positive effect on the back.

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Variants of swimming types

In addition to these four official swimming types, numerous modifications and variants have also emerged. Likewise, playful aqua fitness under supervision in the group is enjoying increasing popularity. Most of the time, the participants have health concerns. Aquafitness under supervision is also a good idea for beginners. You will also learn a lot about the correct posture when swimming and can then practice this sport more effectively on your own. The best thing to do is to find out whether aqua fitness and swimming courses are available in your area. The health insurance companies can usually also provide information, as many aqua courses are funded by the insurance companies.

Which swimming type suits you?

To find out which swimming style is best for you personally, you should simply try different swimming types. The type of swimming that you feel is doing you particularly good and is fun should be practiced predominantly. In our swimwear department you will find everything you need to get started with your personal training plan in the swimming pool. Have more!