3 Science-Backed Swimming Exercises You Must Do Before It’s Too Late | Eetu Karvonen

I’ve coached swimmers and triathletes for over 20 years, and I break down the three things swimming will never give you, no matter how much you train, and the science-backed exercise that fixes each one before it becomes a real problem. I explain why swimmer’s shoulder starts with a shoulder rotation imbalance between your strong internal rotators and your weak external rotators, and how simple external rotation exercises using a resistance band or dumbbell can rebuild that balance.

I also cover why swimming and bone density don’t mix the way people assume, since water removes the gravity your bones need to get stronger. I walk through practical weightbearing exercise options, from bodyweight squats for beginners to heavier strength training for advanced lifters, to close that gap outside the pool.

Finally, I explain how swimming for thousands of strokes creates a posture problem most swimmers never notice, tight, rounded upper back mobility that forces the shoulder to compensate on every single stroke. I show a foam roller thoracic extension drill for beginners and a thoracic rotation drill for advanced swimmers to fix it.