Do top swimmers, like Phelps, also do long, continuous swims at times or do they only do interval training?
Does anyone here ever do long, continuous swims?
I basically only do interval training and maybe add longer distances in my workout but I never do a complete workout as a continuous swim. Should one also include continuous swim sessions?
Former Member
I typically do one continuous swim of 90-120 minutes each week. Sometimes I use fartlek approach, but other times I do planned things like swim the last 200 of each 1000 as fast as possible or make the first 25 of each 100 to be butterfly or backstroke.
I don't think such workouts are very popular around this message board.
I would imagine Phelps would do interval sets along with continuous swimming.
In my former swimming career, I did do continuous swimming sets, although it wasn't the majority of my swimming.
I have done swim continuous sets in my own training. Its tough can be tough to start doing but once you do, its not that bad.
I've seen a lot of regulars get in the pool, swim for like 30-45 minutes straight, and then get out. They do this every day. Usually these are older, noncompeting people.
I've seen a lot of regulars get in the pool, swim for like 30-45 minutes straight, and then get out. They do this every day. Usually these are older, noncompeting people.
Yeah, these are basically all the other people I see at the pool I go to at the moment who swim free-style and they're usually not very good. I'm the only one who swims with an interval training plan. Once in a while you do see a swimmer doing interval training and they're really good so I assumed that no one who swims better than average would ever do continuous swims.
I typically do one continuous swim of 90-120 minutes each week. Sometimes I use fartlek approach, but other times I do planned things like swim the last 200 of each 1000 as fast as possible or make the first 25 of each 100 to be butterfly or backstroke.
I don't think such workouts are very popular around this message board.
with the masters group i train with: i do whatever the coaches say to do mixed up strokes; intervals; pull; kick etc. on my own i do mind-numbing sets or continuous swims.
I hope Rich Abrahams comments on this,because of what he says here U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums - View Single Post - Rich Abrahams- Atlanta .
Thanks for posting that, K.F. The 120/min HR Rich mentioned is consistent with what Tall Paul recommended when doing recovery swims: U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums - View Single Post - Sets/intervals (non-junk, non-sprint yardage) for sprinter
Sometimes I use fartlek approach,
That is the first time I seen a swedish word/expression used in english. so I had to look it up. I was surprised to find it's an international expression with in training.
I only do long, continuous swims in lakes, but even then there are some rest points to allow the group to gather up again.
my 100x100scm on saturday started to feel like a long continuous swim after about 65 ;)
That is the first time I seen a swedish word/expression used in english. so I had to look it up. I was surprised to find it's an international expression with in training.
This word has been used for years. We used it when I was in the Army, in the late 80s/early 90s. While running, the leader would pick something (a post, tree, etc) and tell us to sprint to it, then we'd do an easy pace to regroup, and repeat.
With swimming we take this approach for long swims. For a 400, we might do a 75 @ 80% then 25 @ 90%. It is a good way to at least keep track of where you are, especially as you get into really long swims.
That said, depending on what you plan to focus on, a mix of both long and short swims helps keep you a balanced swimmer. At workouts, I mostly just do what the coach says. But that could sometimes include 30 min swim, a 1650 for time, a 60 min swim...or even fast 25s. We just never know.
I try and do a "distance tolerance" set every week. Currently, I'm working up to:
10 x 800, each 800 followed by a fast 200; :10 rest after each set.
But so far, I've only gotten to set 8, I just get so bored. :snore: Would be easier if I had access to a LCM pool.
If you're a fan, seems like you should have both. (OK, it might have been the autobiography :bolt:)
Oh well, can't hurt to have both. They're pretty cheap anyway.
