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Writer's pictureChris Searle

4 Ways to Build Swimming Endurance, Fast!

Updated: Sep 23


Swimmer exiting the water

Here are 4 ways to build your swimming endurance fast:

1. Swim Consistently

If there’s one thing I can’t stress enough, it’s consistency. You’ve probably heard me say it a hundred times! Aim to swim at least three times a week. In each session, focus on swimming a bit farther or staying in the pool a bit longer. Like with any sport, the more you practice, the quicker your body adapts, and before you know it, swimming longer distances will feel natural.


2. Refine Your Technique

Good technique makes all the difference when it comes to swimming longer distances. When you’re swimming efficiently, you save energy and can go much farther without getting exhausted. There are so many small adjustments you can make to swim easier and with less effort. Take a look at our post on the keys to improving your front crawl technique—these tips really help.


3. Maintain a Regular Breathing Pattern

Getting your breathing right is a game-changer. A steady breathing rhythm keeps your oxygen supply consistent, which is crucial for your muscles to keep working. When you have a smooth, rhythmic breathing pattern, you’ll be tapping into your aerobic system, which helps you swim longer with less effort. It’s all about finding that balance where your body can go the distance.


4. Gradually Increase Distance

Like with anything, don’t go all out too soon. You need to give your body time to adjust. I recommend increasing your swim distance gradually, aiming for no more than a 20% increase per week. This might sound like a lot compared to running, but because swimming is low-impact, it’s safer to up the volume more quickly. This way, you’re improving your endurance without burning out or risking injury.


How to Structure Effective Swim Workouts for Endurance

Just swimming laps won’t cut it when it comes to building endurance. A lot of beginners tell me they just get in the pool and swim without a plan, which usually leads to them losing motivation fast. My advice? Mix in intervals, whether your session is easy or hard. Doing this keeps you focused on your form and helps you stay mentally sharp during your swim. I’ve broken down how to structure an effective swim workout in another post—check it out when you’re ready to dive deeper.


Swimmer walking by a pool with a training plan


Why Building Swimming Endurance is Essential

Endurance is the foundation of good swimming. It helps you maintain a steady pace in long races and keeps injuries at bay. But beyond the physical benefits, it also toughens you up mentally. There’s something really empowering about outlasting your competition. Have you ever raced someone and watched them crack halfway through? It’s a real confidence boost… for you, at least!


Interval Training for Endurance Gains

Interval training is one of the fastest ways to build your swimming endurance. It’s all about pushing yourself in short, intense bursts with rest in between. For example, if you want to improve your 100m speed, break it down into 25m sprints and swim them at or faster than your target 100m pace, with rest in between. If you’re training for longer distances, use longer intervals like 200-400m to improve your aerobic capacity. For these distances, you’ll be swimming in your aerobic zone, but they’re short enough that you can keep your form sharp. When training aerobically, I suggest resting for 1/8th to 1/2 of the time it took you to complete the interval. So, if you swim 200m in 4 minutes at an easy pace, a 30-second rest should be enough to let you recover and swim the next interval at a steady pace.


Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building Swimming Endurance

Neglecting Your Technique

If you focus only on swimming farther without working on your technique, you’re wasting energy and likely to plateau quickly. Make it a habit to work on your form in every session so you can swim more efficiently and get the most out of your workouts.


Overtraining

Training too hard without enough rest leads to burnout and injuries. The key is finding the right balance. As I mentioned before, consistency is key—swimming two to three times a week and increasing your volume by no more than 20% weekly will keep you on the right track without overdoing it.


Skipping Strength Training

Endurance isn’t just about time in the pool. Strength training on dry land—especially core and leg workouts—helps build the power you need for strong, sustained swimming. If you’re planning on doing open-water swimming, be sure to check out our guide on strength training for open water—it’ll give you the extra edge.


Tracking Your Progress

Keeping track of your progress is a great way to stay motivated. Record your swim distances, times, and how you feel after each session. Personally, I use my Garmin watch and upload everything to TrainingPeaks. Watching your progress week by week can be super rewarding and will keep you pushing forward when things get tough.


Swimming checking their watch at the end of the pool

Key Benefits of Improving Your Swimming Stamina

Improving your endurance doesn’t just make you faster. It’s great for your overall fitness, strengthens your lungs, and gives your cardiovascular system a serious boost. Plus, the more stamina you have, the longer you can swim without tiring, meaning you’ll crush those tougher races and finish strong. And let’s not forget how endurance builds mental toughness—helping you deal with any challenge, in and out of the water. Start using these tips, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you progress!


If you need a structured plan to improve your all around swimming ability, check out our Swimming Training Plans


 

About the Author:

The author of the post, Chris Searle

Chris Searle is a Level 3 Qualified British Swimming Coach and a Level 2 British Triathlon Coach, also holding various running and cycling coaching qualifications.


With over 14 years of experience coaching athletes of all levels, Chris has developed British Champions in swimming and guided triathletes to podium finishes on the world stage.


You can read more about Chris's coaching journey on the About page.

 

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