Front crawl
Also called freestyle swimming, crawl, swimming
- Works
- Heart and lungs · cardiovascular system
- Sides of the back · latissimus dorsi
- Front of the shoulder · anterior deltoid
- Back of the upper arm · triceps brachii
- Needs
- Swimming pool
Setup
Swim in a lane that suits your speed. Swim a few easy lengths first.
Steps
- Lie flat with your face in the water.
- Reach forward with one arm and pull it back under your body to your hip.
- Kick from the hips with nearly straight legs.
- Turn your head to the side to breathe every two or three strokes.
Breathing
Breathe out slowly into the water. Turn your head to breathe in.
Where you feel it
In your shoulders, back and breathing.
Common mistakes
- Lifting the head forward to breathe, which drops the legs.
- Kicking from the knees.
When to stop
Stop if you feel sharp pain, pain in a joint, dizziness or numbness.
Stop at the side if you feel short of breath or dizzy.