When it comes to the sport of swimming, there's one name that stands out above the rest: Michael Phelps. With a record-breaking 28 Olympic medals to his name, Phelps is widely considered as one of the greatest athletes in history.

We'll explore three key factors that make Michael Phelps better than anyone else in swimming – from his unique physical traits to his incredible endurance and mental toughness.

Phelps' Body Is Double-Jointed - One distinctive physical trait that sets Michael Phelps apart from other swimmers is his double-jointed body. This means that he has a greater range of motion in his joints than the average person, which allows him to move more efficiently through the water. Specifically, Phelps' ankles and wrists are double-jointed, which gives him a significant advantage when it comes to swimming. His flexible ankles allow him to kick with more power and speed while keeping his feet pointed for longer periods of time. Meanwhile, his double-jointed wrists enable him to pull through the water with greater force and precision. While some may argue that this genetic advantage gives Phelps an unfair edge over his competitors, it's important to note that he still had to work incredibly hard and train intensely for years on end in order to achieve the level of success he has.

Phelps Produces Less Lactic Acid - Michael Phelps' incredible swimming abilities go beyond his double-jointed body and towering height. Another factor that sets him apart from other swimmers is his ability to produce less lactic acid. Lactic acid build-up can cause fatigue and muscle pain, which can be detrimental to an athlete's performance. However, Phelps' unique physiology allows him to generate energy without creating excessive amounts of lactic acid. This means that he can swim longer distances at a faster pace than most swimmers before experiencing fatigue or muscle soreness. It's no surprise then that Phelps has broken numerous world records and won 23 gold medals throughout his Olympic career. Phelps' physical advantages have made him one of the greatest athletes in history, but it's also important to recognize the hard work and dedication he puts into training for competitions.

Phelps is tall with a huge wingspan - Michael Phelps is not only an extraordinary swimmer, but also a physically gifted one. One of the reasons behind his success is his height and wingspan. At 6'4", Phelps towers over most of his competitors in the pool. His long limbs give him an advantage in covering more distance with each stroke.  This physical attribute gives him an edge when competing against others who are shorter or have smaller wingspans. It allows him to generate more power with each stroke and maintain momentum throughout the race.