1km Open Water Swim

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Plan A: 8-Week Beginner

  • Training Goal: 1km Open Water Swim
  • Fitness Level: Beginner
  • Timeline: 8 Weeks

Week 1-2: Building the Basics

Sessions per week: 3 (2 pool sessions, 1 open water session if possible)

Pool Session 1 — Technique Focus

  • Warm-up: 200m easy swim
  • Drills: 4 x 50m (focus on body position, breathing, and stroke technique)
  • Main Set: 4 x 25m (rest 30 seconds between each)
  • Cool Down: 100m easy swim

Pool Session 2 — Endurance Focus

  • Warm-up: 200m easy swim
  • Main Set: 4 x 50m (rest 30 seconds between each)
  • Cool Down: 100m easy swim

Open Water Session

  • Warm-up: 200m easy swim
  • Main Set: 4 x 50m (rest 30 seconds between each)
  • Cool Down: 100m easy swim

Week 3-4: Increasing Distance

Sessions per week: 3 (2 pool sessions, 1 open water session if possible)

Pool Session 1 — Technique and Speed Focus

  • Warm-up: 200m easy swim
  • Drills: 4 x 50m (focus on body position, breathing, and stroke technique)
  • Main Set: 4 x 50m (swim at a faster pace, rest 30 seconds between each)
  • Cool Down: 100m easy swim

Pool Session 2 — Endurance Focus

  • Warm-up: 200m easy swim
  • Main Set: 6 x 50m (rest 30 seconds between each)
  • Cool Down: 100m easy swim

Open Water Session

  • Warm-up: 200m easy swim
  • Main Set: 6 x 50m (rest 30 seconds between each)
  • Cool Down: 100m easy swim

Week 5-6: Building Confidence

Sessions per week: 3 (2 pool sessions, 1 open water session if possible)

Pool Session 1 — Technique and Speed Focus

  • Warm-up: 200m easy swim
  • Drills: 4 x 50m (focus on body position, breathing, and stroke technique)
  • Main Set: 4 x 100m (swim at a faster pace, rest 30 seconds between each)
  • Cool Down: 100m easy swim

Pool Session 2 — Endurance Focus

  • Warm-up: 200m easy swim
  • Main Set: 8 x 50m (rest 30 seconds between each)
  • Cool Down: 100m easy swim

Open Water Session

  • Warm-up: 200m easy swim
  • Main Set: 8 x 50m (rest 30 seconds between each)
  • Cool Down: 100m easy swim

Week 7-8: Final Preparation

Sessions per week: 3 (2 pool sessions, 1 open water session if possible)

Pool Session 1 — Technique and Speed Focus

  • Warm-up: 200m easy swim
  • Drills: 4 x 50m (focus on body position, breathing, and stroke technique)
  • Main Set: 4 x 100m (swim at a faster pace, rest 30 seconds between each)
  • Cool Down: 100m easy swim

Pool Session 2 — Endurance Focus

  • Warm-up: 200m easy swim
  • Main Set: 10 x 50m (rest 30 seconds between each)
  • Cool Down: 100m easy swim

Open Water Session

  • Warm-up: 200m easy swim
  • Main Set: 10 x 50m (rest 30 seconds between each)
  • Cool Down: 100m easy swim