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4 Week Novice to 400m Swimming Plan

For beginner-level swimmers who are looking for their next challenge.

Experience Level

Beginner

Number of Weeks

4

Training Plan Introduction

Ready to Master Front Crawl?

This 4-week plan is your ultimate guide to swimming 400 meters continuously with confidence, focusing specifically on improving your front crawl technique, efficiency, and endurance.

From 25m to 400m Front Crawl in Just 4 Weeks

  • Achieve Your Goal: Swim 400 meters front crawl with smooth, consistent strokes.
  • Build Confidence: Step-by-step progress ensures you feel strong and in control in the water.
  • Triathlon Ready: Perfect for beginners looking to conquer the swim leg of their first triathlon.

Why This Beginner Swim Training Plan?

  • Front Crawl Focused: Every session is tailored to improving key aspects of your front crawl, including breathing, body position, and propulsion.
  • Gradual Progression: Sessions grow in distance, helping you build endurance while refining your technique.
  • Guided by an Expert: Includes email support for any questions about your training or race preparation.

Your Front Crawl Journey

This plan is designed for anyone who can swim 25 meters front crawl and is ready to take the next step. Whether you’re aiming to complete a triathlon or simply swim farther with better form, this plan will get you there.

Key Features

Structured Progression

Weeks 1–2: Build Front Crawl Fundamentals

  • Focus: Technique drills targeting body position, breathing, and kick efficiency.
  • Distance: Around 800m per session, broken into manageable sets.

Week 3: Develop Endurance and Consistency

  • Focus: Longer main sets to improve your ability to swim front crawl continuously.
  • Distance: Up to 1300m per session, with drills integrated into endurance work.

Week 4: Achieve Your Goal

  • Focus: Refine your technique while completing longer continuous swims.
  • Distance: Up to 1800m per session, including a practice 400m swim.

Flexibility & Support

  • Adaptable Sessions: Adjust sets as needed, with clear instructions for beginners.
  • Email Support: Get guidance whenever you have questions about the plan or your swimming.

Who Is This Novice Swim Training Plan For?

  • Beginner Front Crawl Swimmers: For those who can swim 25m but want to build endurance and skill.
  • Triathlon Newcomers: Perfect for first-timers nervous about the swim leg.
  • Motivated Learners: Swimmers ready to commit to improving their front crawl technique.

What You Get

  • 4 Weeks of Focused Training: 3 sessions per week designed to improve your front crawl.
  • Technique-Based Sessions: Each workout includes warm-ups, technique points, main sets, and cool-downs.
  • Training Calendar: Fully integrated to help you track progress.
  • Personal Coaching Support: Email access for motivation and advice.

Added Extras

  • Expert Backing: A plan designed by an experienced swim coach.
  • Welcome Document: Clear instructions on setting up your plan and understanding the terminology.
  • Race Day Prep: A guide to swimming 400m comfortably and confidently, including an effective warm-up routine.

Take the Leap

This plan is about more than just swimming farther—it’s about mastering the front crawl, building confidence in the water, and achieving a goal you once thought was out of reach.

Start today and make your 400m front crawl a reality!

Training Plan Sample(s)

Training Plan Cost

Full Compatibility

This training plan is compatible with...

Your Coach

Chris Searle the head coach of efficient endurance

Hi, I’m Chris.

I’m a Level 3 qualified swimming coach with years of experience, having coached swimmers to British titles. My coaching approach is all about efficiency, ensuring every session makes the best use of your time. Whether you’re looking to refine your skills or compete at a high level, the plans I provide focus on improving your swimming as a whole.

FAQ's

These plans are tailored for athletes of all levels, from beginners to advanced, looking to maximize their performance. If you’re unsure of which level you are, get in touch!

The only thing you need is a trainingpeaks account and the usual swimming kit but to get the most out of your training plan, having the following would be ideal:

  • Compatible* smartwatch
  • Pull Buoy and Kickboard

 

*All common devices sync with trainingpeaks, check here to see if your device is compatible with the structured workout feature so you can follow your sessions on the go.

With years of experience coaching swimming, I understand that drills are very specific to the swimmer and can in many cases make technique worse. For this reason, plans focus on technique points rather than drills. The only ‘drill’ that you might come across in our training plans is sculling.

Training sessions are written in an optimal order for improvement, progression and recovery, but plans change and when they do you can move sessions across days and weeks with a premium training peaks account.

If you need to move things around but are not sure what is best, get in touch and I will help you out.

Sometimes, we have to miss a session, life gets in the way. Fortunately these plans are robust and consistency and efficiency will keep you progressing. Don’t fret over a missed session and don’t try and catch up either, you will still keep moving forwards.

You can adjust the schedule or swap sessions with a premium training peaks account; email support is available for advice if you’re unsure of what to do.

Every session includes detailed instructions and the rationale behind it. Feel free to email if further clarification is needed.

Improved endurance, better race-specific fitness, and confidence on race day. Results depend on how disciplined you are to the plan- it is designed to keep you motivated.

Our guarantee ensures that you are on the right training plan for you. If you find your plan is too much, too little, too hard or too easy, get in touch and we will swap you onto a more suitable plan.

We would love to issue refunds but do not have the option for this as payment is taken by trainingpeaks.

Absolutely! Email support is available for guidance and motivation.

We only provide support for the duration of your plan and 2 weeks afterwards. If you would like coaching after your plan, get in touch!

Get your free sample

Why choose Efficient Endurance

Efficient Endurance Training Plan

  • Customised to Athlete Goals - Ability-based plans & email support
  • Expert Input - Designed by a qualified, experienced coach
  • Structured Progression - Detailed progression
  • Focus on Technique - Detailed swim technique sessions
  • Detailed Sessions - Clear explanation of how sessions support your goal
  • Training Volume - Balanced for your level
  • Race-Specific Prep* - Includes taper weeks & race guides*
  • Strength Training - Targeted strength sessions*
  • Cross Training** - Cross training sessions available**
  • Tech Integration - Compatible with smartwatches and bike computers
  • Support & Advice - Email support from a coach
  • Plan Guarantee - Free plan swap if needed
  • Cost - $3 per week

Free Training Plan

  • Customised to Athlete Goals - Generic & non-specific
  • Expert Input - No professional input
  • Structured Progression - Some progression
  • Focus on Technique - Often absent
  • Detailed Sessions - No explanations
  • Training Volume - Inconsistent and limited
  • Detailed Sessions - No race-specific advice
  • Race-Specific Prep - Not included
  • Strength Training - Not Included
  • Cross Training** - Not included
  • Tech Integration - No compatibility
  • Support & Advice - No support offered
  • Plan Guarantee - No other plans
  • Cost - Free

Other Premium Training Plans

  • Customised to Athlete Goals - Limited ability variations
  • Expert Input - Created by a qualified coach
  • Structured Progression - Include generic progression
  • Focus on Technique - Often absent
  • Detailed Sessions - No explanations
  • Training Volume - Suitable volume for athletes
  • Race-Specific Prep - Minimal race-day strategy
  • Strength Training - May have generic strength work
  • Cross Training** - Not included
  • Tech Integration - May have device compatibility
  • Support & Advice - Occasional support, sometimes outsourced
  • Plan Guarantee - Limited or no guarantee
  • Cost - Typically $3-8 per week

AI Training Plan

  • Customised to Athlete Goals - Algorithm-based, lacks nuance
  • Expert Input - Automated, no human touch
  • Structured Progression - Only if the algorithm says so
  • Focus on Technique - Often absent
  • Detailed Sessions - No explanations
  • Training Volume - Metrics can miscalculate workload
  • Race-Specific Prep - Lacks detailed guidance
  • Strength Training - Rarely included
  • Cross Training** - Sometimes compatible
  • Tech Integration - May have device compatibility
  • Support & Advice - No human support available
  • Plan Guarantee - No guarantees
  • Cost - $10+ per week

* For plans which target an event

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12 Week Advanced 5K Open Water Swim Training Plan

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