The Taper

Before every major swim meet, elite swimmers taper. They reduce training volume dramatically while maintaining some intensity. The result: they swim faster than they have all season.

The taper isn’t rest — it’s strategic recovery. The fitness is already in the body. The taper lets fatigue clear so fitness can show up.

The same principle applies to any sport. Before a competition, before a test, before a PR attempt — back off, let the body express what it’s built.

Deloads aren’t just recovery. Sometimes they’re the moment everything comes together.