Breaststroke
Also called breast stroke, swimming breaststroke
- Works
- Heart and lungs · cardiovascular system
- Chest · pectoralis major
- Inner thigh · adductors
- Front of the thigh · quadriceps
- Needs
- Swimming pool
Setup
Swim in a lane that suits your speed. Swim a few easy lengths first.
Steps
- Push your hands forward together.
- Sweep them out and back in a circle to your chest.
- Bend your knees, turn your feet out and kick them round and together.
- Glide for a moment before the next stroke.
Breathing
Breathe in as your arms pull and your head rises. Breathe out as you glide.
Where you feel it
In your chest, inner thighs and breathing.
Common mistakes
- Keeping the head up the whole time, which strains the neck.
- No glide between strokes.
When to stop
Stop if you feel sharp pain, pain in a joint, dizziness or numbness.
Stop if your knees ache from the kick.