Worthwhile Article That Was Lost in "The Fastest Age" Thread/Saga

Originally posted by knelson Hey, I have the same general body shape as Phelps in terms of long torso and short legs. I even wear the same size pants. However, my hands and feet are nowhere near as large as his. Ya know what they say about guys with big feet..... big shoes :p

Originally posted by knelson "... Hey, I have the same general body shape as Phelps in terms of long torso and short legs. I even wear the same size pants. However, my hands and feet are nowhere near as large as his. That was a very interesting article, Mark. Thanks for posting!" You're very welcome, Kirk! Michael's physical dimensions are quite apparent when one stands next to him after shaking his hand. However, his personality is such that you don't feel uncomfortable being around, him except when you happen to be on a starting block next to him. IMHO. And he does have big feet, even in sandals.

Many elite swimmers incorporate weight training and running into their regimen. Phelps has never done the first, and the second was cut from his program last summer because of knee pain. He's never lifted weights? What's going to happen when he does?! I can see a huge difference in my stroke and times since I started working out in October. I'm not all that strong but I've dropped 20 seconds in a 500 free and 25 or so in my 400 IM, plus a lot of time in other races too. I wonder if he ever will start working out.

Mark, I was going to post a thanks for your article about Michael Phelps but I did not want to get involved in THAT thread ! It was excellent and thanks for sharing that. I like that Phelps and Barrowman seem happy to share info. It makes a change from many swimmers and coaches who will not share anything ! Cheers. :)

Originally posted by Edward The Head He's never lifted weights? What's going to happen when he does?! I can see a huge difference in my stroke and times since I started working out in October. I'm not all that strong but I've dropped 20 seconds in a 500 free and 25 or so in my 400 IM, plus a lot of time in other races too. I wonder if he ever will start working out. I 'spose Michael's coach, Bob Bowman, doesn't want to tamper with success and/or believes in "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Goes to prove that each person is unique in what works best for him or her. Nice to hear from someone in Maryland, too. Hope to see a few folks from Maryland at the Colonies Zone Champs next week, too, at George Mason University.

I thought it was a very interesting article-- thanks for sharing it. I don't understand what is meant here tho... "The dolphin kick, ... Phelps wasn't advanced enough to use it at the 2000 Olympics. " Unless they meant he wasn't using it in non-butterfly strokes?

Originally posted by scolopax "The dolphin kick, ... Phelps wasn't advanced enough to use it at the 2000 Olympics. " Unless they meant he wasn't using it in non-butterfly strokes? I think they mean he wasn't using his super-duper, body wave style dolphin kick. I was just thinking about this in the past few days. The swimmers who really excel in underwater swimming are the ones who use this kicking style. Rather than distinct kicks it's more like a continuous full body dolphin. It's something I need to work on. Hey, I have the same general body shape as Phelps in terms of long torso and short legs. I even wear the same size pants. However, my hands and feet are nowhere near as large as his. That was a very interesting article, Mark. Thanks for posting!

Mark I read the article and was going to post on the "guantlet" but by the time I got around to it, the post had wandered further away. I found it interesting that Phelps is so long waisted. This is something I have observed in age group meets. Often the top swimmers look short legged. Myself and my children are long legged, short waisted, so I always thought it made my son look expecially long legged up next to some of these swimmers. Also interesting that Phelps cannot run well anymore. And size 14 feet, WOW!

Originally posted by Edward The Head He's never lifted weights? What's going to happen when he does?! I can see a huge difference in my stroke and times since I started working out in October. I'm not all that strong but I've dropped 20 seconds in a 500 free and 25 or so in my 400 IM, plus a lot of time in other races too. I wonder if he ever will start working out. I doubt lifting weights would help Phelps, especially in the events he primarily swims. For one thing, Phelps is already in the pool an incredible number of hours per week. Would he want to spend even more time lifting weights? I know when I swam in college I hated lifting weights because I was already dead tired from swimming, or didn't want to lift too hard because I had swim practice afterward. I mean, something's got to give eventually. For a masters swimmer swimming a few hours a week, yes you can probably get in the weight room and work fairly hard. I think it's much more difficult for someone who's already working out like Phelps is. Even if he did start lifting I think it would only help much in 100 meter events. I doubt weights would make him much faster in 200s and the 400 IM or free. Just my opinion, of course.

Thanks for posting the article Mark. Your thread is a shining example of what this forum is all about.