A Smooth Front Crawl Swim – Finally!​

Our swimming training is specifically designed for adults, works at any age, and will turn you into an athletic swimmer in record time.

Does This Sound Familiar?​

Front crawl swimming looks amazing—when others do it. For you, it feels more like “controlled drowning.” You keep trying, but end up swallowing water or gasping for breath after just 10 meters—breaststroke is the only thing that sort of works—if even that.

You’ve pretty much made peace with that.

And yet—every time you see someone gliding through the water with ease, you wonder in frustration why it just doesn’t work for you.

The answer: No one has ever really shown you how to do it.

Front crawl isn’t something you learn by muscling through—it takes patience and body awareness. Our method is designed for adults who want to regain control over their movements—from “awkward in the water” to “captain of your own body.”

Everyone can learn to swim front crawl.

We teach it in 4 simple steps—through our Swim Academy, in adult group courses, or one-on-one training tailored to your goal: swimming 500 meters or completing your first triathlon, for example.

Your body is capable. We’ll show you how—and help you awaken the swimmer within.

These are some of the problems adult beginners face when learning front crawl. We've dealt with them.

Front crawl feels like pure effort.
Breaststroke is smooth and relaxed, but front crawl feels like wild flailing. You’re trying hard—but nothing clicks.
The first few meters go okay—then you sink.
Halfway down the lane, you’re out of breath and back to breaststroke. Others make it look easy. Why not you?
You’ve mastered breaststroke—but front crawl is chaos.
Legs up, arms moving just right, body tension, perfect breathing—how is anyone supposed to manage all that at once?
You’re fit—but can’t catch your breath.
You can run for miles, but in the pool, one lap is too much. You don’t get it—and it’s beyond frustrating.
The front crawl stroke just drains you.
Your shoulders ache, your arms burn, and every breath comes with a mouthful of water. Is your body not built for this?
Got it, take me to the training options!

We're here to help you swim front crawl​

VFR Concept EN

Our Method – specifically for adults learning front crawl swimming​

Your free time is precious. When you learn to swim front crawl, it should be quick and lasting, right? That’s exactly what we thought, which is why we developed a freestyle learning method that’s been proven with adults for 10 years!

1. Gliding

There’s one golden rule in swimming: “The taller you are, the better you float.”

When you stretch your body, your muscles naturally activate and hold you like a board on the water, being as tall as you can be. This helps you stay on the surface and move forward more efficiently—that’s buoyancy.

Buoyancy is essential for front crawl success.

2. Compact kick

In breaststroke, 80% of the power comes from your legs. In front crawl, it’s maybe 10%. Your legs are there to keep you afloat and balanced—not to push you forward.

We’ll show you how to move your legs gently and rhythmically, so they stay up. Once you feel it, you’ll never want to swim any other way.

3. Patient arms

Your arms are the big challenge in front crawl.

Your upper body needs enough mobility to find the right stroke position. With our proven contrast drills, you’ll learn each phase of the arm stroke—even on a mat at home!

In the water, we practice arm movements first without breathing, so you can focus fully. You’ll see—breathing gets much easier once your stroke is in place.

4. Relaxed breathing

Breathing while swimming isn’t hard—you just think it is.

Think about how you’re breathing right now. You’re probably sitting down, breathing calmly and naturally. You’re not even thinking about it. Why should it be different in the water?

In our method, we teach breathing last—when your front crawl is stable and you can give it your full attention.

After training diligently with us for 1 to 2 months, you’ll be swimming front crawl calmly and naturally, just like riding a bike—learn it once, never forget.

What you gain from a good Front Crawl Technique​

  • Confidence – You can now swim front crawl, and you can feel it
  • Fitness – You've found a healthy sport you can do your whole life
  • Opportunities – Sports like surfing or triathlons are much more fun with good freestyle technique
  • Certainty – If you train, you’ll see results. With every swim, you’ll improve.

How Would You Like to Learn Front Crawl Swimming?

Online Swim Academy

11.99 € / month
more info

Tried and tested method, now available online:

  • Built from a decade of swim coaching experience
  • Video lessons in simple terms, easy to follow along
  • Comment and feedback system for your success

Fix common mistakes by yourself:

  • How to fix sinking legs
  • How to breathe correctly (a.k.a. not drowning)
  • How to move your body in a rhythm
  • How to actually move at a decent speed

An active community to support you:

  • Get help in our forums
  • Regular livestreams on requested topics

Training plans to take it further:

  • Expand your first lap of freestyle to your first 500 meters
  • Technique drills for speed and endurance
  • Interval structures that put the fun in the training

Price:
11.99 € per month

1 Month Free Trial

Group Class

starting at € 440
more info

Learn with a patient coach in a modern swimming pool

  • Comprehensive training – 60 minutes per session
  • Small groups of 3 or 7 participants
  • Focus on technique – you won't need strength
  • Direct in-water feedback from your coach

 

Goal:
Swim front crawl comfortably, gliding through the water

Price:
starting from € 440

Class duration:
2 months

Claim one of the spots for the class

Private Training

1,799 €
more info

We guarantee:

  • Swim training with immediate, long-lasting effect
  • Fast progress and applicable skills
  • As little time invest as possible, as much as necessary

 

Flexible scheduling and curriculum, suited for people with:

  • Busy schedules (we’re available from 8:00 to 20:00)

  • Anxiety or phobias (we’ll adjust to your pace)

  • Limitations such as slipped discs, shoulder & back issues, etc.

 

Learning in a safe space:

  • Your trainer leads by example, swimming right beside you – showing you best practices in the water
  • We'll correct your mistakes in the water immediately, teaching you the right patterns from the start
  • The coaching continues outside the pool, we're always available to answer your questions
  • Lifetime access to our Online Swim Academy with hundreds of other swimmers, dedicated lessons, and livestreams

 

Price:
1,799 €, payable in 3 installments
(other payment terms on request)

 

Time to reach your goal:
2-3 months (based on a decade of experience)

Book a swim coach just for you

Unlimited Training

3,498 €
more info

We guarantee:

  • Become an athletic swimmer
  • Learn all 4 swimming styles: Breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle, and butterfly
  • Get ready to join a swim club, finish your first triathlon, and build an athletic performance routine
  • Swim training with immediate, long-lasting effect
  • Fast progress and applicable skills
  • As little time invest as possible, as much as necessary

 

Flexible scheduling and curriculum, suited for people with:

  • Busy schedules (we’re available from 8:00 to 20:00) and frequent travel plans

  • Anxiety or phobias (we’ll adjust to your pace)

  • Limitations such as slipped discs, shoulder & back issues, etc.

 

Perform in a professional environment:

  • Your trainer leads by example, swimming right beside you – showing you best practices in the water
  • Become proficient with swimming gear: fins, paddles, pull buoy, snorkel, and more
  • We'll correct your mistakes in the water immediately, programming the right movement patterns from the start
  • 24/7 support with personalized training plans for your own swim sessions
  • Lifetime access to our Online Swim Academy with hundreds of other swimmers, dedicated lessons, and livestreams

 

Price:
3,498 €, payable in 3 installments
(other payment terms on request)

 

Time to reach your goal:
2-4 months (based on a decade of experience)

Book our premium option and take off

Need more info?

Answers to frequently asked questionsContact us

Your Front Crawl Swim Coaches​

Stefan

I learned to swim as a child, and just weeks later, I was jumping off a yacht into the deep Mediterranean Sea.

I feel comfortable in the water, but I know it’s not like this for everyone. That’s why I’ve developed a swimming method specifically for adults, one that trains both body and mind.

With us, you’ll learn to swim as naturally as riding a bike—understand, feel, and never forget. We give you the freedom and security to feel at home in the water because we believe that swimming is a basic right that everyone should enjoy.

I spent much of my childhood at the local pool. Every week, sometimes several times, we’d go for lessons or free swimming with my siblings. Some of my best memories are in the water – in pools, lakes, canals, or the sea.

I started life-saving with Irish Water Safety at age 10, and by 15 I was volunteering as an Instructor, teaching rescue skills, BLS/CPR, and giving water safety talks. I later became an Assistant Swim Teacher, and by 20 had completed my Full Swim Teacher Qualification.

In 15 years of teaching, I’ve worked with people of all ages, including my own mother who once had a deep fear after nearly drowning. My goal is to show students not only that they can swim, but that being in the water can also be an enjoyable experience.

Michael

Clients who learned front crawl swimming with us

  • I started the swim lessons with Stefan in October 2022. He was very patient and encouraging. He told me that soon I would swim 2000 meters in every workout. I couldn't even imagine a 100 meters, but on January 1st 2023, roughly 2 months later, I swam 2400 meters without getting tired.
    Denis Rechkunov

  • Stefan was an expert at picking up my moods and reacting to them empathically, adjusting the training to how I felt. He was patient with me, even when I wasn't, and always managed to direct my focus to the swimming. His calmness helped me relax, even when I was stuck with something.
    Diana Graja

  • Stefan was fully committed to helping me make my dream of swimming come true. He is professional, empathetic, and a master of teaching swimming. He helped me overcome my fear of the water.
    Evelyn Ramforth

  • Stefan is worth more than you can spend! In our extensive swim lessons, I felt early on that he could meet me right where I was, both mentally and physically. I was able to overcome my own barriers and emerge from the training with more physical and mental strength.
    Ingo Albrecht

  • Two years ago I couldn't swim properly. With Stefan's help, I can now swim 2000 meters in the open water. I still don't think of myself as a good swimmer, but I'll keep doing the sport. I like this, haha :)
    Weihan Hu

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Any Questions about the Training?

Where is the front crawl swim training held?

Group classes take place in Stadtbad Tiergarten and Stadtbad Lankwitz.

For private training, we use pools in Tiergarten, Lankwitz, and Spandau. Additionally, some pools in Friedrichshain (Landsberger Allee, SSE) are available.

When is front crawl swim training offered?

Our trainers are generally available from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Weekend appointments are available upon request. The demand in public pools varies by season; we’re be happy to recommend the best training times.

What can I expect from the front crawl group class?

In our group class we'll teach you front crawl swimming based on 4 principles. You should have enough prior swimming experience to float and submerge your face in the water. Anything on top helps, but is no prerequisite.

The pool used for the class is about 1 meter deep, so you’ll be able to stand comfortably. You only need swimwear and goggles; we provide everything else.

Don’t worry about being too inexperienced or clumsy—our trainers are very empathetic, stay in the water with you, and help every participant feel comfortable in the water.

In the course, you’ll learn our method for floating and moving in the water in freestyle. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to do front crawl from one end of the pool to the other, relaxed and on your own.

What’s different about private front crawl swim training?

You have your swim trainer all to yourself. This means 60 minutes of focused input, constant feedback, and precise analysis of your movements.

With the trainer by your side in the water, you’ll learn faster than in a group course—we can use the exact exercises that work best for you. Your trainer will also get to know you better and can adapt to your unique learning process.

Private training is tailored just for you: we adjust the time, date, location, and approach based on your needs. If your back is tense and you're struggling to breathe, we can include mobility training. If you’re uncomfortable swimming around others or dislike splashing water, we’ll find optimal times when the pool is less crowded.

Private training includes close support, with a personalized training plan and regular communication via chat or phone to support your success.

What happens if I get injured?

Injuries during swim training with a trainer are rare; we teach you healthy swim techniques from the start. If you do get injured during training, we’ll support you with a fast and effective recovery and work with you to identify the cause to prevent future injuries.

What is the price for the front crawl swim coaching?

Costs depend on your individual needs and goals. Our group class costs 799 €, while private training with a guaranteed goal (e.g., swimming 50 meters in deep water) costs 1,799 €. Payment options are flexible—more details are available in a personal consultation.

Many people wonder why the price is what it is, and here’s why:

  • Our trainers are paid for their actual time, which is 2.5 to 3 hours per session (including travel and preparation).
  • Water training is demanding for us; we can manage only three sessions per day, which limits the number of clients we can serve.
  • Our commitment to support is very high. We communicate between sessions, adjust plans, provide dryland exercises, mental training, equipment tips, and much more, all of which takes time.
  • Group classes are held in modern, centrally located pools reserved exclusively for us, with significant rental costs.

In short: You’re investing your precious time in learning to swim. We’ll do everything to ensure you reach your goal as quickly as possible. We’re very good at what we do, which means you invest once and then you can swim.

What do I need for the swim training?

You need motivation, a goal, and swim gear (swimwear, goggles, and cap) along with an internet-enabled device for communication and access to online content. That’s it!

We provide any additional practice equipment (pull buoy, fins, etc.).

How often do we train each week?

For the duration of your personal swim training (2-3 months), we recommend swimming twice per week.

Our approach is to train together once a week, then have you practice alone to see if you’ve absorbed the lesson. This way, you improve with each session and gain confidence.

In the group class, we train together once a week as well, and we recommend doing the dryland exercises once or twice per week on your own too.

How do I sign up for front crawl swim training?

You can sign up directly through the program by clicking the corresponding button below an option, or you can contact us directly.

In any case, we’ll ensure that your goals align with our approach. If you identify with the descriptions on this page, you’re in the right place.

What if I start the front crawl training and then can’t follow through?

You won’t—that's a promise. If you connect with our method and are ready to learn swimming, we’ll make sure you feel at home in the water.

We’ll support you with all questions, concerns, and challenges and bring our 10 years of experience to every situation.

Does front crawl training really work for me?

Absolutely! We’ve trained people of all ages and abilities, from high school graduates to retirees, and here’s one guarantee:

Strength and endurance aren’t the most important factors in the water. What counts is your mindset and body awareness, which we’ll train from the very first minute together.

In the end, it’s like riding a bike: once you learn, you never forget.

Back to the training optionsStill have questions? Contact us directly

Stefan Helwig

run faster | swim better

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