Quick Dip: What Makes a Good Training Habit?

A short read for the car journey

Category: Habits  | Read time: Under 2 minutes

A habit is something you do regularly. After enough practice, it can start to feel like a normal part of your routine instead of something you need to be reminded about.

Good training habits can happen before, during and after swimming. They might include packing your kit, arriving ready, listening when your coach explains the set or putting your equipment away when the session finishes.

The best habits are simple, useful and repeated often.

If you want to improve a habit, start with one clear action. “I will put my water bottle back in my bag after training” is easier to follow than “I will become more organised.”

Connect the new habit to a moment that already happens. For example, each time you place your feet on the wall, get your streamline ready before pushing off. Practising this during ordinary lengths helps make it part of your swimming, not just something you remember when your coach reminds you.

You do not need to change everything at once. Choose one habit, practise it regularly and give it time to become part of your routine.

Missing it once does not mean you have failed. Try again at the next session and think about what would help you remember.

Your parent, carer or coach may still need to remind you while you are learning. As the habit becomes stronger, you can begin to take more responsibility for it yourself.

Good habits are not about being perfect. They are about doing helpful things regularly.

Ask your coach: What is one training habit that would help me most?

Created by Basingstoke Bluefins Coaching Team