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Why is front crawl so hard?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 08, 2026

This is because the body is using completely different energy systems. Swimming front crawl is like any other form of exercise in that the more you do it, the fitter you become and the easier it then becomes.

Why do I struggle with front crawl?

If you currently breathe every 2 front crawl arms, as soon as you start a swim then you might not have enough time to fully exhale. Often new clients tell us they breathe every 2 arms because otherwise they feel out of breath, in fact this feeling is usually caused by not exhaling completely.

How can I make front crawl easier?

Improving your front crawl technique

  1. When improving your Front Crawl technique aim to keep your body position as flat as you can to be streamlined in the water with a slight slope down to the hips to keep the leg kick underwater.
  2. Try to keep your stomach flat and level to support your lower back.

How long does it take to get good at front crawl?

Being able to perform 750m of swimming once you've got a solid grasp of front crawl can take anywhere from 12 months up to 2 years of regular training.

Is front crawl difficult?

But it's the hardest stroke to do correctly because of the timing between arms and legs. Front crawl: The flutter kick is the key to keeping your body high in the water, and this works the quads, hamstrings, glutes and calves. Your abdominal muscles will also tone up from stabilising you in the water.

24 related questions found

Is front crawl good for you?

Front crawl is a good all-over body workout, but particularly works the muscles of the upper body. In the upper body, when swimming front crawl, you'll use the deltoids, latissimus dorsi (down the side of your back), trapezius, triceps and biceps muscles.

Why is freestyle so tiring?

Holding your breath means it's harder to fully exhale all of the air in your lungs. This means you'll have to gasp for air at each breath which can create a panicked feeling and you'll also have a higher Co2 concentration in your blood, which can make you feel exhausted.

Is front crawl the same as freestyle?

Yes! Freestyle is not actually a stroke but a category in swimming competitions. The most common stroke in freestyle races is front crawl, because it's the fastest, which is how the term freestyle has become a synonym for front crawl.

Can I learn swimming at 40?

It's never too late to learn how to swim. If you never had the opportunity as a child, you can easily how to learn swimming as an adult. At first, being in the water may feel strange, unfamiliar, and even a little worrying.

How do you swim crawl properly?

To do the front crawl arm stroke your thumb should always enter the water first with your hand at a 45 degree angle. Your arm will twist as you pull your hand back through the water, creating a paddle underwater. You'll pull the water back all the way to your hip before the arm exits the water.

What is the most important aspect in front crawl Why?

I'd always recommend starting by making sure that your body position in the water is as good as it can be first. That gives you the most solid foundation for the rest of your stroke but, possibly more importantly, it reduces the resistance that you're creating, which means you'll swim quicker for less effort.

How do you learn the crawl stroke?

Tips for getting front crawl right

Float on your front with your face in the water, stretching your body as long as possible. Keep your legs long with toes pointed. Kick your legs up and down (alternating) making your ankles as floppy as possible, using your feet like flippers. Kick your legs fast and continuously.

Should you breathe every stroke in freestyle?

Many swim coaches and swimmers believe that breathing every cycle in freestyle swimming is as good as it gets with respect to respiratory rate, but that is not true. A swimmer can learn, and particularly with a low-profile breathing technique, to breathe consecutively to both sides.

Which is better swimming at a beach or a pool Why?

You get stronger because you are swimming against current rather than a pool where there is not current. Sea swimming is good for the skin and is proven to also help with recovery due to the salt in the water.

Which is better swimming at a beach or a pool?

(at the ocean, everyone is the same) It is healthier, the salt in the water is better for physical health and immune system, makes you more physically fit swimming in the ocean and the chlorine in the swimming pool is not good for skin.

Is there any age limit to learn swimming?

There are no age limits when it comes to learning how to swim. Get on Youtube and search for "swim lessons." There are many videos out there, and you can easily teach yourself, but after basics, you need to take classes from an experienced coach who has rich experience and also a good swimmer. Age is not an issue.

Why is front crawl the fastest stroke?

Front Crawl (or Freestyle Stroke)

The reason why the front crawl is fast is because one arm is always pulling underwater and able to deliver a powerful propulsion. To be efficient with this swim stroke, time your breathing to match your swimming strokes.

Is front crawl an Olympic event?

The history of front crawl: The Olympic Games

While men's 800m and women's 1500m events have not yet been held at an Olympics, they will be contested for the first time at Tokyo 2020.

Which is the slowest swimming stroke?

Breaststroke is the slowest of the four official styles in competitive swimming.

Why do I get so tired when I swim?

Water temperature affects how you feel after swimming. Cold water can cause muscle strain due to a decrease in blood flow, and also the body must work harder to stay warm. Warm pools tend to increase the body temperature, which may lead to fatigue.

Does front crawl work your chest?

Every type of major stroke, including the front crawl, butterfly, backstroke and butterfly, use your pectoralis major and minor -- the pecs -- along with most of the other major muscles of the upper body, including the shoulders, arms and upper and lower back.

Does front crawl tone arms?

Freestyle, also known as front crawl, is a great way not only to work out the upper body muscles, but also to strengthen those in the back, torso and abdomen. The crawl arm movement extends swimmers' shoulders and is a good tone-up for the deltoid and shoulder muscles.

Can you get a six pack from swimming?

More than anything, however, swimming consistently exercises the core muscles and enables your abs to aid in overall stability and body control. Simply put, core muscles like abs, hips, and lower back are completely engaged when you're swimming.

Do you breathe through nose or mouth when swimming?

Breathe In - Most swimmers breath in through their mouth. This action should be quick and last only a second. Timing - Breathing out in the water should be about twice as long as breathing in above the water as it helps build a comfortable rhythm to your breathing.

What is the most difficult part in freestyle front crawl?

Rotating your body is the trickiest and most important part here, since relaxed breathing and efficient use of energy all come from good body rotation.