My question is whether one should lift weights during a taper or not? The meet I’m going to taper for is a zone meet in two weeks. I will not be able to swim at nationals so this is my key meet of the season. Over the last six months, I have been lifting weights fairly consistently 4-6 times per week while swimming between 15,000-20,000 yards per week. Due to time constraints, on the days I lift I alternate days between arms and legs and lift around 30 minutes per session.
So far I have been told 3 different options for lifting during the taper:
1. Keep lifting the same amount of weights. You need to keep your strength up.
2. Keep lifting but reduce the poundage and increase the number of reps.
3. No lifting. Rest those muscles.
So which option is best? Other recommendations? Also, if anyone has some good suggestions for swimming sets to be doing during the taper it would be appreciated.
Thanks
Parents
Former Member
At least one of your friends is right, rest those muscles NOW. I would have told you if you are under 40 rest two weeks, over 40 lay off weights and Zoomers (all fins) for three weeks.
You need to be testing yourself, I recommend vertical jumps. When I taper for Nationals my vertical jump improves 14 to 18 inches. Do this every other day up to the meet and a week after the meet. If you continue to jump higher after the meet you waited too long and will know better next time.
Check out my articles at www.breaststroke.info/BRST6.htm
Coach Wayne McCauley
ASCA Level 5 Masters
At least one of your friends is right, rest those muscles NOW. I would have told you if you are under 40 rest two weeks, over 40 lay off weights and Zoomers (all fins) for three weeks.
You need to be testing yourself, I recommend vertical jumps. When I taper for Nationals my vertical jump improves 14 to 18 inches. Do this every other day up to the meet and a week after the meet. If you continue to jump higher after the meet you waited too long and will know better next time.
Check out my articles at www.breaststroke.info/BRST6.htm
Coach Wayne McCauley
ASCA Level 5 Masters
