OK folks, here's the query......
If I swim in a meet today and realize that I have a need to build some more strength, can I accomplish any benefit toward a meet seven days from now by doing weight training ??
Or, will I just be breaking down muscle fibre and find myself weaker in seven days ?
What is the time span for realizing benefits from weights without hurting oneself?
I'm on a mission.......................... Bert ;)
Former Member
You won't make any gains in one week of lifting weights. But I'd still recommend lifting weights for any athlete. Not only will you notice a change in your physique after a few months, but you'll feel stronger in everything you do.
Because I don't have as much time to train as I once did, I simply do a "circuit" when I get to the gym. This means that I do every body part in one workout. Since I combine weights, swimming, and walking/biking(depending on weather), I usually swim twice a week, and do my circuit weight lifting routine on the third day.
I think yes. I'd lift only once about 4-5 days before the meet.
This is just an opinion, however if you are swimming in a meet every week, then you have plenty of chances to try it out one way or the other.
Swim fast!
Bert - Don't do it. There is a very good chance that you will be sore and tight after lifting weights for the 1st time, even if you take it easy. Swimming tight and sore will not help your times.
Two weeks ago I took an abs class for the first time. I worked hard but did not find the class to be extremely strenuous. Two days later I was extremely sore and I "felt" every stroke and kick for the next week.
Start lifting after your next meet.
Good luck,
Michael:rolleyes:
Thanks, Michael........... At my age, I get stiff and sore after tying my shoes !!
After the meet on the 23rd, I will try to slowly add some weight training to my schedule.
Bert
You'll feel great after doing some weights. And don't forget to eat more protein too. I just had an egg-white omelette and will down a protein shake after swimming tonight.
The guy who responded to your post is advising you not to lift before your meet. He's right. Even a light weight lifting session could leave you feeling sore for days. But keep in mind, he took an "abs" class for the first time. This tells me that he spent a significant amount of time doing just one body part, which would leave anyone feeling sore.
Hold off until after the meet. Then, start reading some cross-training mags like Mens' Fitness. They have some good workouts. Weights will change your appearance, and make you more aggressive in everything you do. They raise testosterone levels like no other sport.
Just about every athlete in every major sport lifts weights these days. Old-timers will tell you that they slow you down and take away your flexibility. But swimming is unique in that buoyancy plays an important role. So a little bit of a spare tire won't hurt.
Just don't lift too heavy. Emphasize form over heavy weight.
Don't be a sissy--- go ahead and lift a LOT of weight before the meet next weekend. This will be an especially significant learning experience if you have not lifted for any amount of time. And we all need to learn the hard way, don't we? Yes, the exquisite pain of the deltoids screaming at you as you try to recover your arms over the water in the 200 fly will certainly be a lesson not soon to be forgotten.
I would not even walk by a weight room 7 days before a swim meet.
Unless you have been in a weight training regimen for some time, the best thing to do is to start slowly before the swimming season starts. If you are in reasonably good shape, it will take about two weeks for the aching and stiffness to subside from the initial training sessions.
If you want some speed for the upcoming swim meet, just intensify your workouts a little bit, eat a high carb diet and get lots of bed rest. A short taper will do little good, if any, so don't bother with that.
