https://community.usms.org/swimming/f/general/10545/freestyle-versus-backstroke-same-musclesAre the same muscle(groups) involved in both strokes? My freestyle pull is going well, but I have problems to keep strong in backstroke.en-USTelligent Community 12https://community.usms.org/thread/174631?ContentTypeID=1Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:04:16 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:df5d438c-f270-4042-9be4-93006bb86037Former MemberThanks for all the answers.<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/174533?ContentTypeID=1Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:23:31 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:7afa7f93-8a23-4bdb-a708-85e4ee680b28Former MemberWell as they are kind of opposite motions, I can see why you would think they they would use similar muscles. I am sure that many muscle are used in both, but the way they are used is somewhat different due to the way that the stroke is swam. Freestyle has turned into more of a flat stroke with a catch up/gallop, whereas I think that many backstrokers still have a very side to side stroke. IF you look at your strokes, I am sure that you will see some difference when looking at your rotation. This might be your problem/solution?<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/174514?ContentTypeID=1Fri, 23 Mar 2012 04:41:11 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:e52dc4f6-cdb2-4b64-8f03-63abd0984453Elaine KrugmanBuy Swimming Anatomy by Ian McCleod from Amazon or elsewhere - it&#39;s all in their by muscle group and stroke and with appropriate excercises for each. A great investment. +1! Swimming Anatomy (for dryland) and Mastering Swimming are my two favorite books for swimming.<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/174493?ContentTypeID=1Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:55:26 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:a315db89-ab8e-4b09-821f-3717f6d1f397SojerzBuy Swimming Anatomy by Ian McCleod from Amazon or elsewhere - it&#39;s all in their by muscle group and stroke and with appropriate excercises for each. A great investment.<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/174472?ContentTypeID=1Thu, 22 Mar 2012 06:23:31 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:c9a3484a-46b6-4c5e-bc02-3bb02b7d7d8borca1946You need a trainer to show you how to build up different muscles for each stroke. YES all 4 use a mixed set of muscles!<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/174443?ContentTypeID=1Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:25:21 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:f9ae930f-aabb-4799-969e-1a5a6ad5f209Redbird AlumFreestyle is all in front of you, or angled slightly to the side based on your roll. Backstroke is all behind and to the side of you, again how much of each is dependent on your roll and pull pattern. While many muscles will participate in both, specific muscles are more dominant in each. Do you have video of your backstroke?<div style="clear:both;"></div>