This thread is inspired by Jimmy T's musings re 'garbage yardage' which incited some debate pro and con, but, of course, resolved nothing.
I chose the thread heading, not to compete with Jim (who is a master wordsmith, albeit an epic hallucinator), but to allow posters to discuss any drill, set, exercise, common injury therapy, piece of equipment etc. that they feel will actually do damage to us. In other threads over the years, some of these opinions have been voiced, but I thought it might be useful to have a dedicated thread. Please have some grounds for your assertion, but you don't have to be a sports scientist either. Perhaps we could inspire some vigorous discussion?
I'll start by mentioning a basic one (to me): I loathe kicking with a kickboard. I feel that it compresses my cervical vertibrae and could lead to neck problems (I have a pre-existing neck problem and any time I try using a board it gets aggravated). I also feel that the board doesn't allow you to assume a correct body position for kicking.
Any takers? Feel free to state your own pet concern(s).
This thread is inspired by Jimmy T's musings re 'garbage yardage' which incited some debate pro and con, but, of course, resolved nothing.
Excellent topic, Canadian grasshopper!
I tend to agree with you about kickboards, though lately I have been using them again. Paddles, in my opinion, were designed by orthopedic surgeons to ensure a steady population of patients to cut. Fins and pull buoys, especially when used together, are arguably the safest combo. But even here you can get yourself into major trouble by overdoing things too quickly. I recently purchased a Tyr monofin, for example, and though I do find it helps teach one the proper undulation maneuvers in the SDK, which the younger whipper snappers may apply to other activities outside the pool, too much use of this monofin definitely causes lower back pain in the vulnerable and frail elderly such as myself.
I know I have posted this in other spots on these forums, but my accumulated wisdom about any forms of exercise in ones twilight years can be best summed up thusly:
If you aren't used to doing a lot of something recently, do not do a lot of it now.
You can definitely work your way up, over time, and your body will adapt. But kicking 3000 yards the same day your new Tyr monofin arrives via UPS is a recipe for a long bivouac in the pain chamber. I think this applies to all swimming toys and workout fads/new approaches, from H.I.T. to garbage yards. Add no more than 10 percent per week on no more than one of these dimensions: frequency, duration, and intensity.
You should be okay following this approach, but your orthopedic surgeon may be seen weeping.
