Vasa trainer: is it really good?

It's great and is the closest thing to real swimming that you can do on dry land . . . in my experience.

On dryland exercises, I would avoid to work the muscles exactly the same way than if I was swimming. To avoid wear and tear. Instead, I'd rather work antagonist muscles or work the same muscles but differently (using dumbbells, seated row, lat pull down, chin up, pull up, etc.) Does anyone agree with this idea?

I've never used the Vasa trainer, but it appears from the animated picture they show that it doesn't provide any way for your body to rotate, as it would during regular swimming. So my concern would be that it wouldn't work out the same muscles that your regular swimming stroke would. Bob

Originally posted by aquageek I have nothing against this particular device but as with all home fitness equipment, it seems to generally end up being a very expensive clothes collection device within a few months of purchase. Actually, I am NOT convinced by this Vasa trainer device. I am looking for experiences or testimonies to verify if this device is truely unique and valuable in terms of swimming training benefits. My point is that it is possible to work the same muscle groups using other ways which don't require such an expensive device. The fact that the Vasa trainer mimics swim movements doesn't necessarily mean that it train muscles better than traditional weight training devices. If any one has already tried both the vasa trainer and tradional gym techniques, I would appreciate to share your experience.

I have a great deal of experience using all kinds of weight equipment, free weights, Nautilus, Cybex, Hammer Strength and others too numerous to mention. I've also used the Vasa Trainer and similar equipment. I was also in the health and fitness industry for about a decade after graduating from college, running and designing fitness centers. It all depends on what you're trying to accomplish. If you want to build strength for swim sprints and can only pick one machine, I'd go with the Vasa Trainer. If you're looking for overall strength and body development, you need a much more varied program. A Vasa Trainer is less than half the price of a Hammer Strength wide lat pulldown machine. I use a Vasa Trainer as just a single component of a complete weight workout program. If I were setting up a home gym and had a limited budget, and were interested in a good whole body workout, I'd probably invest in a Hoist multi station machine. So, are you looking specifically to improve spring swim speed? Overall body development/fitness? Setting up a home gym? Can you buy only one piece of equipment? Do you have limited space? The question of what equipment is best for you depends on your goals and resources. And I'd suggest that you try stuff out for yourself before making up your mind and making a big investment.

Hi botterud, You are exactly the person I was looking for and your asnwer is of course very informative. I don't want to specialize my muscles for swim sprints. Partly because I am not a sprinter and also because I would prefer to avoid muscle imbalance or injury in working too much the same muscles the same way. I am more interested in a balanced workout, targetting the whole body. For this, I can get pretty good guidelines about the routines and equipment from many weight training books and forums. What I am puzzled is the specificity of the Vasa Trainer as I was recently aware of this device. Your answer has greatly clarified the situation. One more question. Could the Vasa Trainer expose the exerciser to more shoulder risks? I mean, if one works too hard on the Vasa Trainer, say by adding more resistance and/or placing the hands a little bit far away from the chest and/or with possibly bad form. Is it possible that the rotator cuff muscles are over-stressed? Like in some weight training exercises which are unfriendly to the shoulders. In such a case, there are proper warnings in the instructions.

Improper technique and/or overuse can always lead to injury . . . with any body part and any exercise. I make a point in my own routines to strengthen my shoulders and specifically to target my rotator cuff. You also need to know when to say "when" and give your body a day off from swimming if your shoulders are overly fatigued/sore. Here is a link to a website with some examples of exercises that will work your rotator cuff: www.orthoassociates.com/shoulder1.htm You can google "rotator cuff exercise" and get a ton of hits to get some ideas.

I have nothing against this particular device but as with all home fitness equipment, it seems to generally end up being a very expensive clothes collection device within a few months of purchase.

May be you can lie on the side and pull the device with only one arm?

Originally posted by Zirconium May be you can lie on the side and pull the device with only one arm? Perhaps you can, but that's not how I stroke, either! My body rotates as I stroke. Bob