But it's true. Experts say fast, efficient swimming doesn't come from churning your arms and legs furiously, but from using the right technique. With the right technique, you can swim longer without fatigue, and sustain an elevated heart rate during exercise that leads to fitness. Good swimming technique allows you to slip through the water instead of fight against it, says Mr. Laughlin, author of Total Immersion, The Revolutionary Way to Swim Better, Faster and Easier.
Most swimmers push against a wall of water as if they're trying to climb out.
Their chests are flat against the water's surface, their arms are curved and their legs lag underneath them. Do this by keeping your head and chest down, which will cause your hips and legs to rise in the water. Don't swim with your chest flat in the water, like a barge. Roll gently from side to side, like a sleek sailboat. This will reduce drag and also keep your hips and legs high.