Add Backstroke or Breaststroke for Recovery and Better Feel in the Water.

Why It Matters

Integrating backstroke or breaststroke into training provides active recovery, improves muscle balance, and enhances freestyle efficiency—key factors for competitive edge and injury prevention.

Key Takeaways

• Mix backstroke or breaststroke into sessions for active recovery.
• Alternate strokes reduce lat fatigue and improve freestyle efficiency.
• Short backstroke intervals can serve as recovery between hard sets.
• Learning additional strokes expands muscle balance and prevents overuse injuries.
• Four‑week courses available to master fly, back, and breast techniques.

Summary

The video advises swimmers to add backstroke or breaststroke into their workouts, not just for variety but as a deliberate micro‑habit that supports recovery and overall technique.

Mixing these strokes gives the lats a break, balances muscle use, and can actually sharpen freestyle speed. The presenter recommends inserting short backstroke intervals after every five hard freestyle repeats, using them as active recovery.

He illustrates the approach with a 2100‑yard “best average” set, followed by 100‑yard backstroke recoveries, noting how the opposite arm motion “opens things up.” He also points listeners to four‑week courses on fly, back, and breaststroke available through his membership platform.

Adopting this cross‑stroke strategy can boost performance, reduce overuse injuries, and give recreational swimmers a structured path to become more well‑rounded athletes.