Best Books About Swimming for Swimmers
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Your Ultimate Guide to Swimming Books That Educate, Motivate, and Inspire
As a coach who’s spent decades on deck and in the gym, I’ve seen firsthand how knowledge can shift a swimmer’s mindset, refine their training, and spark long-term growth. Whether you’re looking for swim training books, chasing a mental edge, or exploring the joy of water itself - there’s a book for you.
In this guide, I’ve pulled together some of the best swimming books that have earned a permanent spot on my shelf - and in the hands of swimmers I coach.
1. No Limits: The Will to Succeed by Michael Phelps
Best for: Motivation, mindset, competitive swimmers
Michael Phelps doesn't just share his Olympic achievements - he breaks down the habits, mental strategies, and mindset shifts that helped him become the most decorated swimmer in history. This book goes beyond a typical swimmer biography. It’s a blueprint for goal setting, consistency, and overcoming mental barriers.
Many of the athletes I’ve coached, especially teens and college swimmers, have drawn inspiration from Phelps’s journey. If you’re in a plateau or feel like your motivation is dipping, this book can help you realign your focus.
2. Developing the Core by NSCA, edited by Jeffrey Willardson
Best for: Strength training, injury prevention, dryland development
The core is a swimmer’s power center. It connects every movement in the water - starts, turns, strokes - to strength and control. This comprehensive textbook from the National Strength and Conditioning Association breaks down how to train the core for performance.
Coaching note: I had the privilege of writing Chapter 13: Core Training for Swimmers in the second edition of this book. The chapter offers evidence-based, swimmer-specific training strategies that I’ve used with national-level athletes and Olympic Trials qualifiers. If you're serious about your dryland, this belongs on your shelf.
3. The Science of Swimming by Brett Hawke
Best for: Technical swimmers, swim coaches, performance-minded athletes
If you're the kind of swimmer who likes to understand the "why" behind every drill and set, this book is for you. Hawke explains energy systems, biomechanics, race strategy, and training periodization in a digestible format.
This is one of the best books on swimming technique and performance. Coaches will appreciate how theory links directly to practice, and swimmers will come away with a deeper understanding of how to optimize their training.
4. Just Add Water by Katie Ledecky
Best for: Young swimmers, role models, inspiration
Katie Ledecky is known for her humility, relentless work ethic, and grace under pressure. In this book, she shares her journey from age-group swimmer to Olympic champion - without the ego.
This is a fantastic read for young adult swimmers or anyone looking for a role model in the sport. Ledecky emphasizes the importance of discipline, team culture, and staying grounded - qualities every athlete can learn from.
5. A Constraints-Led Approach to Swim Coaching by Andrew Sheaff
Best for: Coaches and swimmers who want to think differently
This book challenges traditional swim coaching with a science-backed approach to skill development. Instead of hammering perfect form, Sheaff encourages exploration and adaptation through varied practice environments.
For coaches looking to modernize their technique sessions - or swimmers who feel stuck with conventional drills - this book offers a fresh, effective framework. It’s also a valuable tool for swim teams building smarter, more individualized programs.
6. Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui
Best for: Swimmers who want to reconnect with the joy of water
This book is a beautifully written reflection on our relationship with water. Tsui weaves personal stories, athlete profiles, and global swim cultures into a narrative that’s both uplifting and deeply human.
It’s not a training manual - it’s a love letter to swimming. It’s perfect for any swimmer or coach who needs a reminder of why we got in the water in the first place.
7. Open Water Swimming Manual by Lynne Cox
Best for: Cold water swimmers, open water athletes, endurance
Lynne Cox is a pioneer in cold water swimming and long-distance feats, and this manual blends practical advice with inspiring stories. She covers gear, technique, pacing, and the mental toughness required to succeed in open water.
If you’re training for a triathlon, open water race, or just want to push your boundaries, this book is an excellent resource. It’s one of the best open water swimming books and an essential addition to any list of books on cold water swimming.
8. Triathlon Freestyle Simplified by Conrad Greiger & Rob Sleamaker
Best for: Triathletes, adult learners, swim efficiency
This book simplifies freestyle technique for triathletes and fitness swimmers. It strips away the confusion and focuses on key fundamentals like posture, rhythm, and propulsion.
If you’re new to swimming or feel like your technique is holding you back, this is one of the best books on swimming technique to help you unlock smoother, more efficient freestyle. It’s also an accessible option among swimming books for newer athletes.
Final Thoughts
Swimming is a sport of details - tiny improvements that add up to big gains. But training the body is only half the battle. The mind, the approach, the knowledge you bring to the pool? That’s where these swimming books come in.
Each title here offers something unique. Some build a mindset. Others break down the technique. A few simply remind us of our love for the water.
Want to swim smarter? Start reading like a pro.
Want to explore more? Check out my Dryland Programs and Swim Technique Guides for hands-on tools that pair perfectly with these reads.