This page has all the swim articles we’ve written since launching YourSwimLog.com in 2013.
There are over 1,000 articles on the site, all looking to address the question, “How can I help you swim faster?”
To answer this, the swimming articles that populate YourSwimLog.com cover a span of topics, from nutrition, to mental training, to swimming workouts and sets for swimmers, to swim and pool gear, and a whole lot more.
This site includes content on:
- Swim Training Tips
- Swimming Workouts
- Mental Training for Swimmers
- Dryland Workouts and Exercises
- Nutrition Tips
- Swim Gear Reviews
The mission is simple: to help you unleash some serious high-performance on your swimming, whether that means hacking your practices or learning how to stay cool and collected when you are stepping up on the block. Or, just finding the right pair of swim goggles.
Dive in, poke around, and get more from your time in the pool.
Swim Training Tips
Swimming faster in the pool requires attention to detail, including swimming with excellent technique, using the right tools for getting more from your swim practices, and more.
How to Improve Your Pacing Skills
Looking to up your pacing skills in the pool? Here are some actionable pacing tips and tools to help you master pace and your performance on race day.
How to Use a Drag Chute for Faster Swimming
Looking for tips on how to use a drag chute for improved swim performances? Read on for some proven tips, sets, and pointers for training with a chute.
7 Benefits of Training with a Drag Chute
Ready to take your swimming to the next level? Here are seven ways that a drag chute can help you become a better and faster swimmer.
6 Benefits of Swim Benches for Faster Swimming
Wondering if a swim bench can help improve your swimming? Here are six benefits of swim benches for better technique, more power, and faster swimming.
How Not Breathing Into the Walls Improves Turn and Swim Speed
Not breathing into the walls is one of the fundamental skills developing swimmers are taught. Here is how powerful a no-breath approach is for turn and swim speed. Strong training habits are something swimmers hear a lot about from their earliest days of their competitive swimming careers. The greatest hits
5 Drills to Do with a Swim Snorkel
Drills with a swim snorkel are one of the best ways to maximize engagement and skill development. Here are five swim snorkel drills to try for faster swimming.
For more articles and guides on how to improve swim technique and get more from your swim practices, click here.
Swim Workouts
Looking for some swim workouts and sets to take your training and race-day performance to the next level? Here is a huge collection of swimming workouts for every type of swimmer and goal.
3 Swim Workouts with Drag Chutes
Looking for swim workouts with a drag chute to bolster swim speed and hone technique? You’ve come to the right place. Let’s “chute” for improvement and faster swimming.
A Swim Workout for Improving Kick-Pull Connection in Freestyle
Struggling to coordinate a fast kick with your stroke? Here’s a swim workout designed to improve the connection between the arms and legs in freestyle.
3 Swim Workouts with Paddles (Improve Efficiency and Power)
Looking for some ideas for training with paddles? Here are three swim workouts with paddles for faster, more efficient swimming.
Here’s a Swim Workout to Help You Develop a Stronger Freestyle Catch
Ready to power up your freestyle catch? Here’s a detailed swim workout to try that will help you develop a stronger catch.
Try This Swim Set to Improve the Kick Timing in Your Freestyle
Struggling with maintaining a steady kick when swimming freestyle? Try this swim workout that improves the timing between the kick and pull.
A Monster Race Pace Set for Improving Your 100 Freestyle
Ready to take your 100 freestyle to new heights? Here is a monster race pace set to give you the confidence to drop a nasty 100 free in competition.
For all of our swim workouts and swim sets, click here.
Mental Training Articles
Looking to elevate your mental game in the pool? From goal setting to developing epic levels of confidence on race day, learn the secrets of peak mental performance in the pool.
6 Benefits of Visualization for Swimmers
Wondering what visualization can do for your swimming? Here are some evidence-based benefits of visualization for swimmers for more confidence, less choking, and even better
How to Prepare for a Successful Swim Meet
Ready to uncork some best times at your next swim meet? Here’s what you need to know to prepare for a swim meet.
7 Mental Skills for Success on Race Day
The right mental skills can help you unlock faster swimming on race day. Here is a look at the right skills to use for competition.
How to Worry Less and Embrace the Setbacks
Frustrated with setbacks in the pool? Here are some tips for improving your ability to embrace setbacks and swim faster.
How to Deal with Pre-Race Nerves at Swim Meets
Struggling to swim fast under pressure? Here are some tips for how to manage pre-race nerves on race day.
Katie Ledecky and The Power of Asking “Why Not?”
Swimmers often find themselves stuck with doubt when it comes to doing tough things in the water. Here’s a simple question to ask when you
For more articles and guides on conquering mental training in swimming, click here.
Dryland Articles
Dryland and strength training are proven ways to get more from your swimming performance. From dryland workouts to core training to the best stretches for swimmers, we’ve got the pool-side of swim training covered.
VASA Trainer Pro Review: The Swimmer’s Ultimate Dryland Tool for a More Powerful Stroke
Wondering if the VASA Trainer Pro is the right addition to your dryland training? Here is a hands-on review and how it can help you swim faster in the pool.
3 Dryland Workouts for a Faster Freestyle Kick
Looking to level up your freestyle kick? Here are three dryland workouts designed to build a stronger freestyle kick.
5 Dryland Core Workouts for Faster Swimming
Looking for some ready-made core workouts for improved swim performance? Here are five dryland core workouts for every kind of swimmer.
Try This Dryland Exercise for a Faster Kick (and Faster Swimming)
Looking to get more speed from your kick? Add this dryland exercise to your swimming warm-up before your next all-out kick set.
5 Best Dryland Exercises for Faster Swim Turns
Ready to improve your swim turns? Here are the best dryland exercises to help swimmers achieve faster and stronger turns.
5 Best Strength Training Exercises for Swimmers
Get stronger and more explosive in the water with this list of the best strength training exercises for swimmers.
For more articles and guides on using dryland to help you swim faster than ever, click here.
Nutrition Articles
The swimmer’s appetite is legendary. We have tapped some of the best sport dietitians in the world to provide nutrition advice specific to swimmers.
What Swimmers Should Eat Before, During, and After a Swim Meet
Fuel yourself like a champion so that you can race like a champion. Here are some proven tips from sports dietitians on what to eat
What Do Olympic Swimmers Eat?
The swimmer appetite legendary. Here’s what Olympic swimmers put down while training and racing.
Supplements and Swimmers: It’s at Your Own Risk
You work hard in the pool, and now you want an edge over the other swimmers in the water. Here’s one of the big risks
5 Race Day Nutrition Tips for Swimmers
Confused about what to eat on race day? Here are some proven tips from NC State’s Director of Sports Nutrition to make sure you eat
Why Swimmers Shouldn’t Skip Breakfast
What we eat in the morning sets up for the rest of the day, both in the pool and out. Here’s why swimmers shouldn’t skip
Swimmers: Why You Should Be Meal Prepping
Want to eat better, save money and time, and also swim faster? Here is why you should start meal prepping immediately.
For more articles and guides on how to fuel for success in the pool, click here.
Swim Gear Articles
As a lifelong competitive swimmers, I’ve tested and tried just about every piece of swim gear under the sun. Below, you’ll find unbiased reviews of many popular types of swimming equipment.
The Best Swim Benches for Stronger and Faster Swimming
Swim benches are an excellent way to build superhero swim strength and improve technique. Here’s a hands-on review of the best swim benches for faster
How to Use a Drag Chute for Faster Swimming
Looking for tips on how to use a drag chute for improved swim performances? Read on for some proven tips, sets, and pointers for training
7 Benefits of Training with a Drag Chute
Ready to take your swimming to the next level? Here are seven ways that a drag chute can help you become a better and faster
6 Benefits of Swim Benches for Faster Swimming
Wondering if a swim bench can help improve your swimming? Here are six benefits of swim benches for better technique, more power, and faster swimming.
5 Best Pace Clocks for Swimmers and Teams
Pace clocks are an indispensable tool for accurate and focused swim training. Here is a look at the best pace clocks for every kind of
VASA Trainer Pro Review: The Swimmer’s Ultimate Dryland Tool for a More Powerful Stroke
Wondering if the VASA Trainer Pro is the right addition to your dryland training? Here is a hands-on review and how it can help you
For more reviews and to see all of the swim gear we have tested, click here.
Most Recent Articles
Prefer to go through all of YourSwimLog.com’s articles chronologically? Challenge accepted! Here is a full archive of all the articles posted here over the years.
8 Drills and Sets for Faster Turns
Looking to improve your turns in the pool? Here are some sets, drills, and tips for faster turns and faster swimming.
3 Swim Workouts to Learn Proper Pacing
Improve energy efficiency, endurance, and swimming speed with these swim workouts for learning proper pacing.
3 Things Swimmers Can Learn from Gretchen Walsh’s Underwater Dolphin Kick
Ready to take your underwaters to the next level? Here are three things swimmers can learn from one of the fastest swimmers and dolphin kickers
6 Tips for Days When You Really, Really Don’t Feel Like Going to Swim Practice
Going to swim practice feeling like a struggle? Here are some proven strategies and tips to conquer today’s swim practice, even though you might not
Why Swimmers Should Use the FINIS Tempo Trainer Pro (Review)
Wondering if the FINIS Tempo Trainer Pro will help you swim faster? Here’s a look at the benefits of this device and how to use
7 Best Swim Snorkels for Better Technique and Faster Swimming
Ready to throw down on a new swimmer’s snorkel? Here are reviews of the best swim snorkels for lap swimming.
Try This Dryland Exercise for a Faster Kick (and Faster Swimming)
Looking to get more speed from your kick? Add this dryland exercise to your swimming warm-up before your next all-out kick set.
5 Best Dryland Exercises for Faster Swim Turns
Ready to improve your swim turns? Here are the best dryland exercises to help swimmers achieve faster and stronger turns.
How to Improve Freestyle Hand Entry
Dive into a perfect freestyle hand entry with our guide to faster, more powerful freestyle swimming.
A Set for Mastering Underwater Dolphin Kicking and Breath Control
Unlock monster underwaters with this swim set to help improve dolphin kick technique, breath control, and speed.