What Is the Butterfly Stroke?
This powerful stroke requires a swimmer to move up out of the water and back down in a smooth, almost wave-like motion. While swimming butterfly, the swimmer is positioned on their stomach, toes pointed. They kick with both legs together (known as a "dolphin kick") and use their arms to help pull their body forward. Both arms come up out of the water and forward in a sweeping motion that mimics — you guessed it — a butterfly.
What Muscles Does the Butterfly Stroke Work?
"A common misconception with swimming butterfly is that it's all in the back and arms, but this isn't true," Latchford told PS. But the "fly" in butterfly challenges a swimmer's arms, shoulders, chest, core, back, and legs.
