Butterfly swimming is one of the most popular swimming techniques. If you are curious and interested in trying it, let's take a look at the techniques and benefits of butterfly swimming in this article.
The name butterfly in this swimming technique is actually taken from the swimmer's movement that resembles the shape of a butterfly's wing flapping. Of all the swimming styles, the butterfly style is arguably the most challenging.
This style of swimming technique requires strength, flexibility, and better body coordination than other swimming styles, so that the body can be balanced and keep moving in the water.
Butterfly Swimming Technique
Basically, the key to doing butterfly swimming is the strength of the arm muscles, legs, and leg flexibility. To do the butterfly stroke correctly, follow these steps:
- Position the front of your body facing the pool floor, just like the start of the freestyle and breaststroke.
- Start by placing your arms in front of you with your thumbs facing underwater.
- Swing your arms out to the sides and down until your body forms a Y shape.
- Bend your elbows and pull your arms back until your arms are parallel to your body, palms facing up.
- Rotate your upper arm until your arm is out of the water. Simultaneously, use your shoulder muscles to lift your head out of the water to take a breath.
- Your head should be back in the water before your arms.
- Repeat the arm movement from the start after the arm has turned back into the water.
- Simultaneously with the movement of the arm, perform a kicking motion with both feet close to each other.
- Bring your legs together, bend your knees at the same time, then straighten them firmly and tightly to push your body forward.
- Try to keep your body as close to the surface of the water as possible.
The butterfly stroke may be a little more complicated than other swimming styles. However, there are many benefits if you do it regularly.
Benefits of Butterfly Swimming
There are various benefits of butterfly swimming that you can get. Here are some of them:
1. Burn calories
Butterfly swimming is the swimming style that burns the most calories. Swimming in this style for 30 minutes is known to burn about 450 calories. If done regularly and balanced with a healthy diet, butterfly swimming can be effective in losing weight.
2. Train the muscles of the body
When doing butterfly swimming, you need the cooperation of various muscles to be able to keep moving and maintain balance in the water. This movement is useful for toning as well as shaping the muscles of the body, especially the muscles of the arms, chest, abdomen, and back.
3. Improve posture and body flexibility
With the formation of chest, stomach, and back muscles, your posture will improve. In addition, the butterfly stroke can also increase the overall flexibility of the body.
You can feel the various benefits of butterfly swimming above optimally if you do it regularly and of course with the right technique. In addition, also combine the butterfly style swimming with the consumption of a balanced nutritious diet and adequate rest.
If you have a medical condition that affects your movement, consult your doctor before doing butterfly swimming. Likewise if you experience pain when moving or other complaints after doing this swimming style.