You probably hear it all the time:
- "Engage your core."
- "Use your core."
- "Keep your core tight."
In swimming, power should originate from the core of your body. The core is made up of many abdominal muscles (pictured above). Your core should move as one unit, or part, during swimming. It connects your upper body to your lower body.
Practice! Place your hand on your stomach and try some of the following to feel your core tighten.
- Cough
- Laugh
- Sneeze
- Tuck your hips forward
- Pull in stomach muscles with a crunch or sit up
Think about that feeling the next time you swim. Recruit your core to help you power through those strokes!
