Swim Tip

Presented by Nick Baker, Founder
Nike Peak Performance Summer Swim Camp Chicago, IL

Peak Performance Swim Camp Tip: Stretching Helps

Stretching before or after practice greatly improves swimming performance. Decrease your stiffness and increase your swiftness is a favorite saying of mine. To understand the vital role that flexibility and a full range of motion play in speed production, simply envision a cheetah at full speed in pursuit of its prey. Swimmers often tell me that they don’t like to stretch or that stretching hurts. I respond by telling them that there are some things in life that they may not want to do, but that they need to do it to improve. The undeniable benefits of stretching include a reduced risk of swimming related injuries, enhanced blood flow and nutrient supply, increased range of motion and muscle coordination, and improved posture. In addition, stretching increases the length of muscle fibers creating more force or power when contracted.

Check out more swim tips and elevate your swim technique for the upcoming season!