I will be swimming five days a week. I want to use the other two days for complementary non-swimming workouts. I am looking for suggestions. Being that I am out of shape the first thing that comes to mind is weight training. I could see some yoga in there as well.
Or...should I only use one day for a non-swimming workout and rest for one day?
Former Member
Feel free to provide support that "For example, swimmers generally have overdeveloped their front bodies (backstrokers may suffer from this less) with strong pectorals. This causes the muscles on the back of the body, specifically those that hold the rhomboids or shoulder blades in place, to become relatively weak."
If you want to take my comment out of context, I agree you have a point. There is more to swimming than a single muscle group.
The best part is the backstroke exception. If you're on your back, you must be using your back, because of... back.
When I went to PT for bursitis in the shoulder, I was told most swimmers, especially females, have over developed pec muscles which is why so many swimmers have a bit of a hunch in the shoulder area. I was told to sit with my chest out so work on the hunch and to work on my back muscles more.
And I am saying that this is incorrect. The problem is a shortened muscle, not an over developed muscle.
If you can't touch your toes, is it because your hamstrings are over developed, or your hamstrings are shortened (lack flexibility/elasticity)? It is possible it is the former and likely the latter.
I am not a yoga person and make no judgment about it merits; swimmers that I respect like yoga a lot. But don't these statements seems contradictory?
Here are two articles on yoga on the USMS website:
www.usms.org/.../articledisplay.phpwww.usms.org/.../articledisplay.php
Thanks for the article links.
"contradictory"... Yeah... I guess so... thanks for pointing that out. Poor choice of words I reckon.
And I am saying that this is incorrect. The problem is a shortened muscle, not an over developed muscle.
If you can't touch your toes, is it because your hamstrings are over developed, or your hamstrings are shortened (lack flexibility/elasticity)? It is possible it is the former and likely the latter.
I'm just repeating what the PT told me. Swimmers, especially females, have over developed chest muscles that leads to the hunch, which I have. I was given exercises to strengthen the back muscle to pull my shoulders back more. I also can not touch my toes. For me it's that the hamstrings are too short that sadly, I passed on to my son. Even when I was ballet dancing, I could not touch my toes no matter how hard I stretched.
NYT article on the benefits -- or not -- of cross-training (not just about swimming):
www.nytimes.com/.../16best.html
Cross-training should be called Doing the Wrong ****ing Sport.
NYT article on the benefits -- or not -- of cross-training (not just about swimming):
www.nytimes.com/.../16best.html
WRT swimming, Tanaka's statement that only in-water strength training has been found effective is contradicted in a study posted by Jazz in another thread:
www.teamunify.com/.../EFFECTS OF DRY-LAND VS. RESISTED- AND.pdf
The NYT article is fine for the most part, though pretty superficial, as is typical for a newspaper article. I did smile at this statement, towards the end:
"he concluded that the only way to prevent running injuries is not to run."
No wonder people sometimes complain about funding scientific research. :)
Cross-training should be called Doing the Wrong ****ing Sport.
Pithy, but a little surprising since you spend about 50% of your time cross-training.
Every "study" has another that says an idea that is 180 from the other.
there are lies, damn lies & studies!! :2cents:
The scientific method is so overrated.
I agree with everyone else,get to the gym and do some cardio. For me this really helps me have great endurance in the pool. Also strength training is benificial as long as you have good technique. Many YMCA have someone who can help you learn the equipment. Also an area that I am lacking is flexibility,so yoga or pilaties would help. I find the older I get I have to work a little harder to maintain for swimming.
