Martin Bennell, of Basingstoke Bluefins, might be mid-40s, but boy is he getting quicker and quicker every year. With a number of lifetime bests last year, he is on the cusp of a British record in the 50m breaststroke and is the current European holder of the event in the 45-49 age category.

Martin talks about his journey in swimming - how he's never taken it too seriously but loves the buzz of racing, and a new approach to training is helping him continue to get PBs. This is Through The Water With Martin Bennell.

Get 15% off from TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited

Get a personalised strength and mobility training programme from Oxolt Strength and Conditioning by heading to www.oxolt.com

This week, coach Abbie Whiting and masters swimmer Ken Flett, join the podcast to discuss how many competitions and races per year they believe is the best amount.

How many competitions per year should be our 'target meets'? How many races per day is too many? Should we do sacrificial events? How many practice competitions and races should we do leading up to a target meet?

Get 15% off swimming gear from TheMagic5 by using the link www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited

Get a personalised strength and mobility programme from Oxolt Strength and Conditioning at www.oxolt.com

Sports Psychologist Helen Davis joins this week to talk about the different layers of goal setting and how setting them well can manifest into a healthy mindset when getting ready to race. On the flipside, poor goal setting - or no goal setting - can lead to insecurities and feeling unsure when getting ready to race.

Get 15% off equipment from TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited

Get personalised training programmes from Oxolt Strength and Conditioning by visiting www.oxolt.com

It's a new year, which means we're all thinking of ways that we can improve in the water in 2024. But time is of the essence, and many of us are already working at capacity. So, what can we do to improve on the sessions we already commit to, be that in the pool, gym or elsewhere? And how can we level up the other elements of our lives - such as diet and recovery - to get those marginal gains? Coach and swimmer, John Wood, joins to discuss. 

Get 15% off products from TheMagic5 by using the code: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited

Check out the new at-home bodyweight strength training programme from Oxolt Strength and Conditioning at www.oxolt.com

On our Christmas Special Podcast, we're joined by Rebecca Lennon, Eleanor Grimes and Jonathan Saunders. We talk about a mixture of things such as swimming-related Christmas activity, reflect on our favourite swimming events this year, and decide what our favourite Christmas songs, films and traditions are. It's a lot of fun!

Rebecca is raising money for The Aplastic Anaemia Trust by taking ice baths everyday in December. Do support her, if you can, using this link: https://www.theaat.org.uk/Fundraisers/katie-and-beckys-dip-a-day-december?fbclid=IwAR0eFcuSb0wpJcqbQN10-V0vPyY0zyaV-ls4ehbz2n4JeHz2t0RMRz8FtA4 

Get 15% off purchases at TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited

Check out Oxolt Strength and Conditioning at www.oxolt.com

In part one... 
Oxolt Strength and Conditioning is launching a new at-home bodyweight training programme in the new year, and founder Nathan Oxford discusses the fundamentals of the programme - what swimmers can expect and how it will be periodised to prime them for the major competitions.

In part two...
Swim England's Coach of the Year, Bob Bolton, joins to talk about his surprise at receiving the award, and discusses Trafford Metro's inaugural masters open meet in May next year.

Get 15% off a pair of custom-fit goggles from TheMagic5 by using the link www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited

In part two, David Westcough, Jamie McHale (first half) and John Wood (second half) join in the conversation on technology - it's worth and its overhype. Are you a fan of technology?

Get 15% off goggles and more products from TheMagic5 by using the link www.themagic5.com/freestylemedia

Get a tailored strength and conditioning programme from Oxolt Strength and Conditioning. Head to www.oxolt.com for more

This week, Clive Marquis of Cardinal Performance Swimming talks about his expanding business which aims to offer swimmers a full suite of services from swim and gym programmes,  nutrition and sports psychology. Clive believes masters swimmers, and those who leave university and are looking to further their swimming career, could benefit from this remote service, and promises good results.

Cardinal Performance Swimming website: https://www.cardinalperformanceswimming.com/
Cardinal Performance Swimming Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cardinal_ps/
Cardinal Performance Swimming Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cardinalperformanceswimming

Get money off purchases from TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.comfreestylemedialimited 

Check out Oxolt Strength and Conditioning for a tailored gym programme at www.oxolt.com

This week, Helen Gorman and Kevin Pickard join the podcast to imagine what the future of our sport could look like. New training methods, club structures, new races and enhanced PR for the professionals, were all discussed.

You can enjoy up to 50% off until the end of November on TheMagic5 products thanks to a Black Friday sale. Use the link www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited

Get a personalised swim-specific strength and conditioning programme from Oxolt Strength and Conditioning at www.oxolt.com

This week, James Barwick, Eleanor Grimes and Kath Tunnicliffe join the podcast to discuss all things technology in swimming. They talk through the technology they and their clubs currently use, and what technology, in a world with no limits, they would love to add to their regime.

Get 15% off a pair of custom-fit goggles from TheMagic5 by using the link: www.themagic5.com/freestylemedialimited

Get a personalised strength and conditioning programme with Oxolt Strength and Conditioning at www.oxolt.com