I have some questions regarding lifting. I feel compelled to lift - typically 2X per week - for two reasons: 1) just good strength training in general for an aging body. 2) Shoulder and knee injury prevention, but, I really don't enjoy it.
I'm beginning to think that lifting is not helping my swimming, and probably hurting it. The fatigue makes it harder for me to follow through on my intended training sets - intervals, # of reps, or speed.
I also wonder if lifting is contributing to the soreness/tendonitis I often feel in my arms.
I do a variety of exercises using the weight stacks as 3 sets of 12. People tell me that 12 reps means I'm lifting light. Sheesh! to me it feels difficult enough, tiring/burning by the 12th rep, and definitely more so with progressive sets; in short, my weights don't feel light!
I'm thinking I should persevere with my lifting schedule because maybe its helping me "get slower, slower". I'm afraid to run the control experiment.
I'm wondering if I can abandon lifting completely 4 weeks out from my target meet and still maintain whatever strength I have?
I'm wondering if I should drop all lifting from my program now and permanently, and only do shoulder pre-hab, planks, yoga and things like that?
Anybody have any insight on how lifting affects your swimming and how you manage it close to a meet?
Are you lifting or weight training? What type of weights or machines do you use? I weight train only machines that mimic swim motions, my lower back and crunches for the abs. Start light with few reps when you begin and gradually increase the reps before increasing any weights. Stretching is also important. I'm not young anymore so I avoid anything that leads to injury. If it hurts, stop. You should probably start with only one set of reps, starting at 6 and no more until you get used to it. I typically do weight training first, then hit the pool. It's all in the same fitness center so it is easy for me to do when I am not working out with my team at a different location.
Are you lifting or weight training? What type of weights or machines do you use? I weight train only machines that mimic swim motions, my lower back and crunches for the abs. Start light with few reps when you begin and gradually increase the reps before increasing any weights. Stretching is also important. I'm not young anymore so I avoid anything that leads to injury. If it hurts, stop. You should probably start with only one set of reps, starting at 6 and no more until you get used to it. I typically do weight training first, then hit the pool. It's all in the same fitness center so it is easy for me to do when I am not working out with my team at a different location.
