Speed isn’t just about swimming harder — it’s about swimming smarter, sharper, and more explosively. Whether you’re training for the 50 free or just want to stop getting smoked on sprint sets, improving top-end speed requires focused drills, smart pacing, and a deep understanding of your stroke.
These five resources break down sprint training into sets, mechanics, and metrics — helping swimmers of all levels find that next gear.
How to Get Faster at Swimming
What it is: A well-rounded article from SwimSwam outlining the top principles behind getting faster — from technique to strength to mindset.
Why we like it: It’s a great speed training overview that hits the “why” behind the work. Especially helpful for swimmers (or parents) who want to understand the big picture before diving into sets.
Swimming Workouts for Speed
What it is: A roundup of sprint-specific workouts — including pace-driven sets and resistance-based training — designed to build explosiveness.
Why we like it: This one’s all action. If you’re looking for sets to drop straight into practice, this is your plug-and-play resource.
Josh Schneider’s Brutal Sprint Set
What it is: A sprint-focused workout used by U.S. Olympian Josh Schneider — short distances, short rest, max intensity.
Why we like it: It’s gritty, it’s intense, and it’s real. Perfect for swimmers who already have some base conditioning and want to test their limiters.
How to Improve Swimming Speed
What it is: A clean, beginner-friendly guide to getting faster — with tips on body position, streamlining, and reducing drag.
Why we like it: This is the “technique matters” angle of speed. It’s not about how hard you swim, but how efficiently you move. A great counterbalance to the intensity of the sprint sets.
How to Use Stroke Rate to Swim Faster
What it is: A deep dive into stroke rate — what it is, how to measure it, and how to use it to optimize your speed.
Why we like it: This is the nerdy-good stuff. Stroke rate is a massively overlooked speed metric, and this video explains it with clarity and useful drills. A goldmine for data-minded swimmers or coaches.
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