Articles and Videos
Swimming Gets Smart
Runners, cyclists, and triathletes have used smart devices for years, but swimmers have traditionally left their tech in their swim bag. Advances in wearable technology make it a good time to check out new products.
The Doctor Will See You Now
Membership-based medical practices, which are also known as direct primary care or concierge medicine, can be found in every major American city, and with fees much lower than you might expect.
How to Do Backstroke Kick
Here are the key skills for developing an effective backstroke kick and how to improve those skills so you can swim a faster and easier backstroke.
Swimming's Physiologist
During his doctoral training, David Costill realized he loved research. He began combining his academic training and interest in physiology and biology with his coaching and swimming experience to develop a new type of research role in the budding field of exercise physiology.
Rick DeMont's Unfair Shake
Olympian Rick DeMont did everything right, but USOC officials never filed appropriate paperwork with the IOC on his behalf, and it cost him his gold medal.
Volunteer Profile: Kim Elsbach
Kim Elsbach has been involved in Masters Swimming for almost 40 years—including as an adult learn-to-swim instructor and volunteer—and she received one of the USMS Dorothy Donnelly Service Awards in 2023.
What to Expect When You Undergo a Hip Replacement
Hip replacements are among the most common orthopedic surgeries in the U.S. Even though many people undergo one, there’s limited information about returning to swimming after surgery. Here’s an overview.
5-Minute Acai Bowl
Acai berries, native to Central and South America, are a powerhouse of antioxidants and nutrients that provide multiple benefits.
A Picture of Health or Pricey Panic?
MRIs have wide-ranging applications, allowing doctors to spot everything from muscle tears to arterial blockages to cancers and aneurysms. But should you have one in the absence of symptoms?
Find Some Peace With Your Body
Finding ways to let that go may let us swim faster and it helps us enjoy it more. So what can we do? Making peace with our bodies is possible, though it doesn’t always mean loving every inch of them.
Do You Need Shark Deterrents?
A number of devices that promise to deter or repel sharks can ostensibly keep you safer in any marine environment. But do they work and, if so, how?
Build Shoulder Strength for a Summer of Swimming
If you're increasing your training volume, help your body get ready to perform at its best with this shoulder workout. It’ll improve your shoulder mobility while also strengthening the muscles that help support your shoulders.
From the Center Lanes: Ben Cono
Ben Cono does a lot of stretching in preparation for his hour-long pool workout but admits his hip mobility could improve with more work on his joints and muscles after swimming.
Swimming for Sobriety
Brendan Clark-Griffin used partying and a penchant for cocaine to help him keep up with a rigorous academic schedule and swimming, but it wasn’t sustainable.
The Joy of Taking Your Masters Swimming on the Road
It’s often when you get out of your comfort zone that you challenge yourself, grow, and learn new things.
Keeping it Fresh
Mixing things up is how we stay engaged in our lifelong sport. Maybe trying something new means joining a faster lane to challenge yourself, giving the 400 IM a shot, or working on an off stroke because an injury is keeping you from swimming your favorite stroke.
Ask the Coach: Brandi Bashor
Brandi Bashor coaches three components of breaststroke to help her swimmers at Nickel City Splash in Buffalo, New York, perfect their technique.
Busting 3 Nutrition Myths for Swimmers
You may have seen trends on TikTok, Instagram, or other social media platforms: “Eat this not that to swim better.” “This is what I did to swim fast.” Social media is saturated with influencers and many people look to them for their opinions. But opinions aren’t the best place to start when you’re searching for evidence-based facts. Here are three common nutrition myths and the science-backed facts that refute them.
Swimmer’s Shoulder: When Stretching Isn’t Enough
John, an avid Masters swimmer, came into my clinic complaining of a nagging shoulder pain that wouldn’t go away. The pain was in the back of his shoulder and was especially sensitive during backstroke and butterfly.
Give Your Freestyle the Middle Finger
Many swimmers overlook their freestyle hand entry because feeling the problems caused by an improper hand entry as it’s happening is difficult.
