I have just started back with my trainer at the gym. I am really liking the way I am looking, but the trainer, though a total beast, is not a swimmer, and although he seems to have a general idea of what I want to accomplish, I want to be sure the results I am getting in terms of my appearance translate into better results in the pool.
I am a sprinter (mostly *** and free as well), so I want to build strength, maintain/increase flexibility, and minimize muscle fatigue (while racing, of course).
When I was growing up and swimming (in the late 60s and early 70s), we were told to avoid weight training. Now I know that has been completely debunked, but I am guessing there is a wrong way and a right way to do it vis-a-vis swimming.
Any suggestions for what I should be doing? I am guessing I would need a rotation of 3 or 4 different workouts to hit all the right spots.
Gary
Brooklyn, NY
I am a recovering swimmer also. I was out 20+ years and over the past 18months have added weights, dryland and yoga to my swimming routine. I try to make my weight exercises as specific to my swimming as possible. I do a lot of core work which really helps swimming. I also have improved my kick no end over the last year and do a lot of leg specific strength exercises such as leg press and extensions(walls and starts), lunges and squats which help with quads(free and backstroke kick). I have also been using the vasa swim trainer and have been using bands for supporter and stabilizer muscles on my shoulders has helped. Did I mention I do a lot of core exercises too. Good luck.
I am a recovering swimmer also. I was out 20+ years and over the past 18months have added weights, dryland and yoga to my swimming routine. I try to make my weight exercises as specific to my swimming as possible. I do a lot of core work which really helps swimming. I also have improved my kick no end over the last year and do a lot of leg specific strength exercises such as leg press and extensions(walls and starts), lunges and squats which help with quads(free and backstroke kick). I have also been using the vasa swim trainer and have been using bands for supporter and stabilizer muscles on my shoulders has helped. Did I mention I do a lot of core exercises too. Good luck.
