I was wondering how many of you out there, especially the coaches, feel about the use of pull buoys. Pulling sets are intended to put more stress on the upper body particularly when paddles are involved. Some of my favorite workouts include the use of these "water toys" as I like to refer to them.
Would it be safe to say that however that the buoy is actually a crutch for folks with poor body positioning and/or a weak kick ?There was a time time that I wouldn't even consider a set of five hundred yard repeats without my styrofoam lifesaver. Even during some of the longer sets I see many in the other lanes break out the buoys when the going gets tough. Any thoughts?
Bert,
I am confining my discussion of the pull bouy to freestyle.
I think the important question to ask is if using the pull bouy is in fact MORE demanding on your shoulders. So does Mr. Ironman actually work his shoulders harder by using the bouy.
Phil has answered YES to the question and is using the pull bouy accordingly. However our lanemates who are reaching for the bouy during the hard sets are actually answering in the negative and should really question whether the pull bouy makes the shoulders work harder.
It's an individual thing and is very likely depndent on where our head tends to ride when we swim. If we went to the local masters workout and watched, we could probably pick out who wants to use the bouy and who doesn't. (Never mind us, we're INTERNET corerespondents.)
Now, to the root problem. Is working our shoulders even worth doing?
That will be another thread I guess.
Kevin "Mr. Ironman" Joubert
Bert,
I am confining my discussion of the pull bouy to freestyle.
I think the important question to ask is if using the pull bouy is in fact MORE demanding on your shoulders. So does Mr. Ironman actually work his shoulders harder by using the bouy.
Phil has answered YES to the question and is using the pull bouy accordingly. However our lanemates who are reaching for the bouy during the hard sets are actually answering in the negative and should really question whether the pull bouy makes the shoulders work harder.
It's an individual thing and is very likely depndent on where our head tends to ride when we swim. If we went to the local masters workout and watched, we could probably pick out who wants to use the bouy and who doesn't. (Never mind us, we're INTERNET corerespondents.)
Now, to the root problem. Is working our shoulders even worth doing?
That will be another thread I guess.
Kevin "Mr. Ironman" Joubert
