Tips For Training During the Offseason

swimmers-From left, University of Michigan swimmers Caroline Sisson and Miranda Tucker leap off the starting blocks during the Orange Bowl Swim Classic Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, in Key Largo, Fla. The Wolverines took top honors in the women’s division, while the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse won the men’s division. The event was a highlight of the winter collegiate swimming training season in the Florida Keys. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Stephen Frink/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO

Tips For Training During the Offseason

Training during an offseason can seem daunting and stressful. You may not have a team to train with or a coach to keep you on schedule. Even with a team and coach, you may struggle to maintain motivation, especially without regular opportunities to compete. Or, maybe you just want to take a break from swimming. Here are some tips on how to train during an offseason.

1. Make a Plan

Photo Courtesy: Bich Tran

Before your offseason starts, make a plan. Decide how you want to train during your offseason. Think about how often you want to swim, where you’re going to train, and what other workouts you want to try. If you’re planning on training on your own, check out these tips. When your offseason begins, you won’t feel overwhelmed by the sudden lack of organized training if you already have a plan.

2. Set Goals for Yourself

Decide what you want to get out of your offseason training before it starts. Maybe you want to take a break from swimming, focus on improving a certain stroke or work on building your strength. Whatever it is, make sure that it isn’t an overwhelming or stressful goal. Instead, make sure it’s something you will enjoy doing and set periodic smaller goals to keep yourself on track before your season starts again.

3. Take a Break If You Need One

Taking a break from swimming, even a short one, can be helpful and allow you to refocus. An offseason is a perfect opportunity to take some time off from swimming. You can take a step back, reevaluate your goals, and prepare for an upcoming season.

4. Take Time to Focus on Technique

The offseason is a great opportunity to take time to work on your strokes. Take advantage of this by prioritizing technique in your offseason training. Try out new drills and make changes to your strokes while you aren’t feeling the pressure of competition season.

5. Try New Ways to Work Out

Swimming World November 2020 Dryside Training If you need a break from swimming, there are many other ways to stay in shape during the offseason. You can try biking or running for similar cardio training to swimming. Or, you can take the time off to focus on strength training outside of the water.

6. Take Care of Your Body

Even though you’re not in season, it’s still essential that you take care of your body. Make sure to continue to eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated and get enough sleep. If you’re taking care of yourself during the offseason, it will be easier to get back into your regular training schedule.

All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.

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