Weight training related question

RE: Weight training related question

knelson — Sat, 16 Apr 2005 01:55:15 GMT

If you have a huge amount of muscle mass those muscles are going to require a huge amount of oxygen to power them. This is great for sprints, but your lungs and heart can't supply this oxygen for long periods. For longer races you need a body that will use a lesser amount of oxygen, but sustain this level for much longer--hence less muscle bulk. I'm not a physiologist or expert in any way, but this certainly makes sense to me. EDIT: ^^ So, yeah, pretty much what Fred already said :)

RE: Weight training related question

Former Member — Fri, 15 Apr 2005 15:04:31 GMT

Here is how I have understood it: Lite weights and high reps simulate most closely what a 1650 will require of your body, i.e. a long period of relatively "moderate" exertion emphasizing oxygen efficiency in the muscles. Heavy weight and short reps will simulate most closely what a 100 fly will require of your body, i.e. a brief period of heavy exertion bordering on oxygen deficiency in the muscles. Weight training helps memorialize these concepts in your muscle memory. In its simplest form, this is the deal.

RE: Weight training related question

Former Member — Fri, 15 Apr 2005 09:21:55 GMT

I think I understand what you're talking about....but....is it similar to sprinters (running) vs. distance runners? Sprinters are buff; distance runners are thin. Same concept? Is there a coach or trainer out there who could please, please answer my question??? If you don't want to post on the forum, please send me an email at swimchick_85@hotmail.com So then when kind of strengthening program should a distance person do? Now we get into all kinds of questions like....how much time in the water should a distance person spend....?? Can anyone hear the can of worms being opened??? Thanks for the feedback you guys! Kari of the dreaded yet most loved 1650 ;)

RE: Weight training related question

Former Member — Fri, 15 Apr 2005 09:02:41 GMT

Weight lifting really helped my swimming. I lift about 3-4 times per week and swim on non weight lifting days. I guess I do medium repititions, about 8-15. I try to use free weights as much as possible because they give you the best range of motion. Unless you're a professional swimmer i think its silly to be afraid of "bulking up" too much from weight lifting.

RE: Weight training related question

Former Member — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 15:20:35 GMT

I went tot Division III school. It's a tough, liberal school in a small town. We had (and still have) a terible pool. We really didn't swim much more than 20 hours.

RE: Weight training related question

Former Member — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 13:43:49 GMT

NCAA guidelines state that atheletes may only have 20 hours of practice/training time ... some coaches have "optional" practices that aren't really optional. I was at a D-I school so I don't know if D-3 is different, but I'd imagine it wasn't.

RE: Weight training related question

JRidge — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 10:08:12 GMT

NCAA Division I & II Bylaws: 17.1.5.1 Daily and Weekly Hour Limitations -- Playing Season A student-athlete's participation in countable athletically related activities (see Bylaw 17.02.1) shall be limited to a maximum of four hours per day and 20 hours per week. (Adopted: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/91) The Division III Bylaws don't have the same limitation.

RE: Weight training related question

Former Member — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 09:14:00 GMT

Well I would say, if you are in a spefic sport. That you use your wght training to enhance that sport. You may have to attack your mucsles from a different angle. Just say you are doing tennis , you would not train like a boxer. Of course some excerises may seem the same , but you may adjust from light weight to amore heavier weight. Or a combition of excerises. I found that if you do pulled down lat work it helps in swimming. Or any excerise that requires pulling from over head to chest and down.

RE: Weight training related question

Former Member — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 05:51:24 GMT

But this doesn't answer the question about why coaches/those in the know are saying that distance swimmers shouldn't lift, but sprinters should. Any coaches/"experts" out there who why, phsyiologically or whatever, that distance swimmers shouldn't lift weights or a lot of weights? Thanks!!

RE: Weight training related question

JRidge — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 04:26:29 GMT

Distance swimming tends to require aerobic conditioning and speed; it's not really a function of power. The extra muscle mass from lifting requires a lot more oxygen, which can be difficult to maintain over a long race. This is not to say there shouldn’t be some strength training but more appropriate for the distance swimmer would be high reps with low weights or specific strengthening for swimming like core training, Vasa Trainers, stretch cords, etc. which will strengthen the lats and triceps and stabilize the rotator cuff. Basically this builds the type of strength you need for distance swimming which is the ability to sustain moderate output for long periods. Sorry for leading the thread on a tangent.

RE: Weight training related question

Former Member — Wed, 13 Apr 2005 08:56:42 GMT

I have been told to lift low weight at high reps. We did a circuit and started with a light weight and did 50 reps, then went through the circuit upping the weight a bit and doing 30 reps then again with a higher weight and 10 reps ... no brake until the entire circuit (5 different machines or exercises) was done all three times ... then we started over with a new circuit. We called it endurance lifting. Did that twice a week and "power lifted" once a week, felt really good with that ...

RE: Weight training related question

Former Member — Wed, 13 Apr 2005 05:39:43 GMT

I lift but very light weights. A long time ago it was thought that if distance swimmers got muscle bound they woudl'nt be able to develop endurance and woudl over develop the wrong type of muscle. Now I think that the only thing to watch out for is not going to heavy to hurt your shoulders. I don't use barbells only bumbbells and machines.

RE: Weight training related question

Former Member — Wed, 13 Apr 2005 05:29:42 GMT

well I don't know a reason for it. I mean what about lifting weights to build muscular endurance? wouldn't that help swimming fast when you are long distance swimmer so you don't loose your strenght on the last few meters?

RE: Weight training related question

JRidge — Wed, 13 Apr 2005 01:55:04 GMT

Another consideration for college distance swimmers is that they have a 20 hour training limit per week and lifting takes away from the pool time they require.