Hi, new to the board, back in the pool about 4 months.
Worked up to doing Mo Chambers workouts, but always substituting for fly in the IM's because I just never learned it.
I've always been a lousy kicker, but I bought a pair of Zoomers and quit using the board, which has helped a bunch. I do dolphins front and side and flutter on my back. I just started to dolphin kick off the flip (without the fins), which has really helped reduce stroke count (10 catchup; 13 -- 14 normally; 15 + is a failed lap). I'm 6'2" and dropped from 200+ when I started down to 190 - 195, which feels great.
Today I tried doing the fly legs in the IM's wearing the Zoomers, and I think there's some hope. Can a 44 year old lousy kicker learn to fly? Is it OK to learn with fins? Are there bad habits to watch out for when learning with or without the fins? Or should I forget about fly and just concentrate on the other three strokes?
I'm having a lot of fun swimming again, love the workouts and chat here, and am not afraid of looking like a complete dweeb.
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Former Member
Originally posted by Michael Heather
If you want to self describe your efforts that way, it is your choice. I resent someone else placing the label.
Butterfly is not easy, but it is simple. Master the simplicity of the stroke, and it looks easy.
I have been reminded that perhaps I am in the vast minority in my kinesthetic sense, so drills are helpful for almost anyone but me. I find them unfulfilling and frustrating. Just tell me what to fix on the stroke, and I'm on my way.
Two thoughts....
1. I love the part about butterfly not being easy but being simple. I have always thought that was the case. I suspect that once I get the rhythm down.... really get it down.... it will make the stroke feel great..... feel simple. But it will nver be easy - it seems to require more core body strength than the other strokes. Although a good core strength is an advantage in all strokes, ***, back and free can be done without it.
2. I tend to feel the same about drills. I don't do many true drills. I will pull or kick.... and I will do a full stroke (any of the four) where I am focusing on one piece. For example swim free focusing on body rotation. But I don't do a drill such as four kick on one side then stroke as a means to focus on that. Or swim focusing on front quadrant technique without doing a catch-up drill. I just think I can focus on a specific aspect as part of a full stroke and get the same benefit. Especially for free and ***.
All of that being said I must ask Lindsay...What is the benefit of one arm fly? I will try it the next time I'm at the pool, but want to make sure I know what I am looking for.
Originally posted by Michael Heather
If you want to self describe your efforts that way, it is your choice. I resent someone else placing the label.
Butterfly is not easy, but it is simple. Master the simplicity of the stroke, and it looks easy.
I have been reminded that perhaps I am in the vast minority in my kinesthetic sense, so drills are helpful for almost anyone but me. I find them unfulfilling and frustrating. Just tell me what to fix on the stroke, and I'm on my way.
Two thoughts....
1. I love the part about butterfly not being easy but being simple. I have always thought that was the case. I suspect that once I get the rhythm down.... really get it down.... it will make the stroke feel great..... feel simple. But it will nver be easy - it seems to require more core body strength than the other strokes. Although a good core strength is an advantage in all strokes, ***, back and free can be done without it.
2. I tend to feel the same about drills. I don't do many true drills. I will pull or kick.... and I will do a full stroke (any of the four) where I am focusing on one piece. For example swim free focusing on body rotation. But I don't do a drill such as four kick on one side then stroke as a means to focus on that. Or swim focusing on front quadrant technique without doing a catch-up drill. I just think I can focus on a specific aspect as part of a full stroke and get the same benefit. Especially for free and ***.
All of that being said I must ask Lindsay...What is the benefit of one arm fly? I will try it the next time I'm at the pool, but want to make sure I know what I am looking for.
