So today I'm starting this thread because I am fairly new to weightlifting in terms to help my speed.
I started lifting in August, back then my times were a 26 for my 50 free, 57 for my 100 free, and a 2:12 for my 200 free. My goals are to get about 24's/25's for my 50, 54's/55's for my 100 free, and under 2:06 for my 200 free by February, and and ultimate goal of 1:55.45 for my 200 free by May.
So right now my weight lifting maxes are at:
140 pounds (including the bar) at regular bench lifting
250 pounds (including the bar) at regular back squats
Now I don't know my max for front squats, but I've been capable for doing reps of 8 of 115 pounds
I also don't know my max for incline bench lifting but I've been capable of doing reps of 10 with 65 pounds
Also my reps for regular bench lifting is 3x5 105 pounds and for regular back squats are 4x10 105 pounds
I can only lift mondays-thursday at my weights class for 1 hour. The schedule goes as follows:
Mondays - we lift (arms)
Tuesdays - we squat (legs)
Wednesdays - all equipment is open except for benches (every now and then I dedicate this day for push ups)
Thursdays - we lift (arms)
So what do you think? Should I modify my workout to reach my goals. Note: my best times come from the summer, I haven't swam a meet since the summer due to my schedule, but there is a meet in December I do have time for.
Bench press is a good triceps exercise for swimming, especially with a shoulder-width grip.
Absolutely agree.
Everyone has to do their own risk-benefit calculus, especially as we age. But Paul, don't you think "high risk" is over-stating things? Your own example, the Chicago Cubs -- with millions of dollars of investment -- do not forbid the bench press outright.
Personally, MY high-risk/low-return exercise is the deadlift: I am generally more concerned with back issues than shoulder issues. Yes I know it shouldn't hurt the back if done correctly...but with so much weight involved, I feel like a moment's inattention is all that is needed to seriously screw up my lower back.
But I would never go so far as to declare that it is a low-return exercise for all swimmers.
Bench press is a good triceps exercise for swimming, especially with a shoulder-width grip.
Absolutely agree.
Everyone has to do their own risk-benefit calculus, especially as we age. But Paul, don't you think "high risk" is over-stating things? Your own example, the Chicago Cubs -- with millions of dollars of investment -- do not forbid the bench press outright.
Personally, MY high-risk/low-return exercise is the deadlift: I am generally more concerned with back issues than shoulder issues. Yes I know it shouldn't hurt the back if done correctly...but with so much weight involved, I feel like a moment's inattention is all that is needed to seriously screw up my lower back.
But I would never go so far as to declare that it is a low-return exercise for all swimmers.
