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5 Reasons Why Open Water Swimming Will Improve Your Crossfit Performances

Open Water Swimming in the Crossfit Games

In the 2015 and 2016 Crossfit Games, the athletes had to complete sea swims. This caused havoc amongst many of the athletes, who were much happier about having their feet firmly planted on dry land! It was less the physical aspect and more the psychological side that caused issues, and many of the athletes struggling badly. So what exactly makes open water swimming such an enjoyable challenge? And how will it turn you into a better Crossfitter?

Annie Thorisdottir after a grueling sea swim Source: CrossFit Inc
Annie Thorisdottir after a grueling sea swim

1 Build Mental Toughness

Swimming in lakes and rivers takes a different kind of mental attitude. Aggression can carry you through an intense Crossfit WOD, but swimming requires a tranquil and perfectly focused mind.

When we swim in the sea, we are aware of the depth below. It affects our minds with a crushing kind of ancient and primal fear. You must control this fear as you swim, diminish it with your confidence and pride in your own physical ability. To be aggressive doesn’t work. It will put you into a panic, affect your breathing and may get you into trouble.

‘To be successful, you must channel your strength and endurance in a calm yet incredibly powerful way, and this is supremely helpful for Crossfit!’

When you go back into the BOX after a few open water swims, you will be tougher, and your mind will be equipped with this new tool to fight against and destroy that voice inside that tells you to give up.

Jonne Koski ‘When you’re swimming it’s just you and your thoughts in the water, you’re alone there.’

2 The Physiological Benefits

Cold water swimming has a huge list of physiological benefits. Immersion in cold water, even for a very limited period of time:

  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Burns cellulite and fat
  • Strengthens the immune system
  • Reduces cholesterol levels

Once you progress and start swimming for longer, in more regular patterns, you will significantly improve your cardio and strengthen your heart and lungs in the process. Swimming has the additional benefit of not stressing your joints and ligaments in the way that other cardio can sometimes do. As you are (hopefully) buoyant in the water, you can work on your stroke and breathing techniques without any risk of shin splints or similar afflictions. And that’s only the physical side.

The open water swimming training pays off for Froning
The open water swimming training pays off for Froning

3 The Positive Psychological Effects

Open water swimming has also been shown to significantly combat mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. The body releases huge amounts of endorphins, adrenalin and dopamine both during and after a swim, to help you adapt to and overcome the conditions of the water. There is a refreshing and undeniable high that follows each session.

4 Fighting the Cold

Operating outside your comfort zone, by definition, requires a certain amount of discomfort. When you swim in cold water, you adapt, and your body learns to cope with the temperature. In other words, you toughen up. There is no complaining and no whining, you put up and get on with it, and this is an attitude that defines the mentality of crossfitters around the world. To strengthen this way of thinking will only allow you to endure more, go for longer and improve your overall performances.

Rich Froning and Dan Bailey swimming in the nearby lake in winter (think Bailey might need to work on his dive)
Rich Froning and Dan Bailey swimming in the nearby lake in winter (think Bailey might need to work on his dive)

5 Strength and Conditioning

Open water swimming builds muscular strength and endurance in it’s own unique way. Compare the physiques of serious competitive swimmers with professional long distance runners for example, and you will see how swimming builds muscle as well as endurance, instead of stripping it off as in the example of long distance running. A decent swim in an ocean, lake or river will act as a great strength and conditioning workout for your entire body, especially your core, back and shoulders.

This will also have positive effects on related lifts and exercises in Crossfit. Try testing your max number of pull ups after a series of open water training swims (in freestyle) – I bet it increases.

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