Personally I think the butterfly stroke is the coolest. I love doing it more than freestyle. Whenever I do, I feel like I am swimming like a pro. Since some consider it to be the hardest stroke, I feel like I am being admired when people see me do it, and yet they can't. Among its positive effects on me is that it exercises my core more than any other stroke, which I really like and really motivates me to keep doing it and be better at it. Another thing is it strengthens my arm and my back muscles. I remember that when I had my muscle soreness, I just kept swimming, I did butterfly and somehow it eased the the terrible soreness that I was feeling.
Hi 003 Yes, for some (me included), the butterfly stroke is the hardest swimming style. Anyway, the coolest style for me is the backstroke, it's also the most relaxing swim stroke for me.
The butterfly is both the hardest and coolest (to answer both your questions). When it comes to swimming, I like the breast stroke as a casual stroke. I can do it literally forever and look around and enjoy the scenery. I usually swim in lakes not in pools so there is scenery to be had. The crawl is, to me, a workhorse for getting from point A to B. It is far too functional to be enjoyable.
