Why is it that often older people do a version of butterfly that looks very beautiful but leisurely, like water ballet as my coach says? What is it that we lack that prevents us from doing an energetic, aerobic looking butterfly. My coach says the snap of the legs will do it and I am working on that. Anything else? Thanks
I’m not sure what you mean by older people; there are some 60 and 70 year olds still tearing it up. Be thankful you have a butterfly that looks very beautiful.
But to your question, fast butterfly requires more upper body strength than other strokes. Also, it is the most difficult to maintain good position and technique as you begin to fatigue. And finally the recovery on butterfly requires more shoulder flexibility than any other recovery. As we age we naturally loose strength and flexibility. Working out with weights and stretching can help.
Other suggestions, in addition to leg snap (swimming fast 25’s or 50’s with fins will help this), would be to press with the chest on the entry, and use the finish of the stroke to accelerate the recovery.
I’m not sure what you mean by older people; there are some 60 and 70 year olds still tearing it up. Be thankful you have a butterfly that looks very beautiful.
But to your question, fast butterfly requires more upper body strength than other strokes. Also, it is the most difficult to maintain good position and technique as you begin to fatigue. And finally the recovery on butterfly requires more shoulder flexibility than any other recovery. As we age we naturally loose strength and flexibility. Working out with weights and stretching can help.
Other suggestions, in addition to leg snap (swimming fast 25’s or 50’s with fins will help this), would be to press with the chest on the entry, and use the finish of the stroke to accelerate the recovery.
