One kilometer, which is just over half a mile, may not seem like a long distance, but it can be very strenuous to swim.
How fast a person swims that distance depends on a number of factors, but if you’re looking to challenge yourself or you want to improve your speed and stamina, it’s a good idea to know how fast an average swimmer can swim 1 kilometer.
How long is 1 kilometer?
One kilometer is 1,000 meters. Most standard lap pools are 50 meters long, so 1 kilometer is 20 laps.
Twenty laps is an average workout for some people, but for many people, especially people who are beginner swimmers or who are looking to get into shape, 20 laps is a very long distance.
How long does it take to swim 1 kilometer?
On average, swimming 1 kilometer can take between about 20 and 40 minutes. Top athletes can swim that length in 15 to 17 minutes, and the world record is around nine minutes.
People who have just started swimming and timing themselves will be towards the slower end of the spectrum, while people who have been swimming for a long time and are in good shape can usually do the distance in a much faster time.
Do different swimming strokes affect speed?
What stroke you decide to use for your 1-kilometer swim can have a big impact on how fast the swim is.
The fastest swim style is the freestyle, which features very natural movements that help to propel swimmers through the water quickly and efficiently.
The slowest stroke is the breaststroke.
Some swimmers prefer to use only one swimming stroke while completing a 1-kilometer swim, while others change things up, using different strokes as their muscles tire or when they start a new lap.
Factors that Increase or Decrease Speed
There are a number of different factors that can cause your 1 kilometer swim speed to increase or decrease.
What stroke you use plays a key role, but there are also other factors that can influence your speed.
One of the biggest factors when it comes to speed is how fit you are.
If you’re a novice or you’re working to build up your stamina and speed, your times will most likely be slower than other swimmers who have been swimming and exercising for longer.
Even very fit people may not swim as fast as more experienced swimmers because their swim stroke and form haven’t been perfected yet.
Building up stamina and muscles and perfecting any inconsistencies in your form will increase your speed over time.
Where you swim also makes a big difference. Most swimmers swim in a lap pool, which is usually calm.
In a lap pool, you generally have a lane all to yourself, so there are no interruptions.
However, some distance swimmers prefer to swim in open water.
Open water isn’t always as calm, and you may be faced with cold temperatures or sudden waves, both of which can slow you down considerably.
The world record to swim 1 kilometer is around 9 minutes.
Preparing for Long Swims
Longer swims can be very challenging, so it’s best to prepare for them carefully beforehand.
Work your way up to swimming 1 kilometer, especially if you’re a new swimmer or you haven’t swum in a long time.
You may want to start with a half a kilometer swim, or even a quarter, adding a little extra distance until you’ve built up the stamina for a full 1-kilometer swim.
Don’t push yourself too much, but give yourself a challenge you can meet.
Overexerting yourself can be dangerous, but adding a little distance at a time will gradually, and safely, build up your stamina and speed.
It’s also a good idea to practice lifting your head from the water to sight your surroundings and learning to breathe in either direction when you raise your head.
This is especially important for open water swimmers who may need to breathe in choppy water and who will need to sight their surroundings in order to stay on track.
Swimmers looking to improve swim times and stamina may also want to try other forms of exercise as well.
Core exercises, for example, help you perfect your form and can reduce the risk of aches and pains.
Leg and arm muscle exercises can help you propel yourself more easily through the water.
It’s also very important to stay hydrated before your swim.
Although you’ll be in the water, you won’t truly be taking in fluids, and strenuous exercise can lead to dehydration. Hydrating well before you swim is always a good idea.
Eating properly before a long swim is also crucial. You may want to eat healthy carbs, which can keep your energy up for a long time.
However, exercising after you’ve consumed a lot of fats or fiber can cause stomach pains, so balance your meal planning carefully.