I am pretty new to competitive swimming and have only raced sprint (50s and 100s) events thus far. That is mostly because short events are all I thought I could handle -- not because I thought I had any particular speed or affinity for these events.
Now, I am working on developing a dryland training program designed to complement my swimming. I need to know whether to focus on sprint events (which need power), middle distance events (which need power and endurance) or distance events (which need primarily endurance). Since my technique is only in the formative stages (so I am not yet equipped to show off any speed I might someday have), how can I tell whether I'd be better as a sprinter, middle distance or distance swimmer? Short of having a muscle biopsy to discern my ratio of fast-twitch to slow-twitch muscle fibers, is there a way to tell? How do coaches help swimmers choose their best events?
I ask because the dryland program I create will be very different based on my in-pool goals. For example, a dryland program designed for a distance swimmer could totally wreck the performance of a sprinter because intense aerobic endurance training decreases power output. (That's why you won't see power lifters riding the exercise bike except, perhaps, in the off-season.) I want to make sure I get it right. Any thoughts?
Parents
Former Member
You could just start lifting with a mixture of power and endurance. Then when you figure out what event you prefer, change the lift program accordingly.
"how can I tell whether I'd be better as a sprinter, middle distance or distance swimmer?" -- enter events. Find swim meets to enter and swim the various races.
Personally... I dont think it really matters if you lift for power or lift for endurance. Just lift. Just do it... Make a chart, make a list of exercises, and head on over to the weight room. I've been swimming and lifting for many years... and the important thing is to be consistent with lifting. Consistency + weights = power + endurance in the pool... no matter what event you swim.
You could just start lifting with a mixture of power and endurance. Then when you figure out what event you prefer, change the lift program accordingly.
"how can I tell whether I'd be better as a sprinter, middle distance or distance swimmer?" -- enter events. Find swim meets to enter and swim the various races.
Personally... I dont think it really matters if you lift for power or lift for endurance. Just lift. Just do it... Make a chart, make a list of exercises, and head on over to the weight room. I've been swimming and lifting for many years... and the important thing is to be consistent with lifting. Consistency + weights = power + endurance in the pool... no matter what event you swim.
