After doing a spinning (i.e. stationary bike) class yesterday I got to wondering if there would be a benefit to training for swimming in a similar manner. So, for those who aren't familiar with spinning classes, they involve cycling continuously for an hour or whatever, varying tempo and resistance, but always keeping the pedals moving, even in the rest segments. The instructor rides along with the class, facing them, and explains what to do. For example, "ok, now we'll do 30 seconds sprint, followed by 20 seconds rest, repeated five times." You get the idea.
Obviously most competitve swimmers don't do their workouts quite like this. Yes, we vary the intensity while swimming, but the true rest is done standing at the wall. The logistics to a continuous workout in swimming would be more difficult because everyone's heads would be underwater, but if the technical glitches could be worked out would it be better than the current method?
So do you think this would work in swimming? It seems to me it might be especially useful in masters swimming where many of us are under time constraints and need to get our workouts in quickly. Honestly, I don't know if it would be better, worse or the same as the current swimming training philosophy, but it seems like it's at least a good discussion topic :)
Lastly, yeah I know there's already a poll thread asking whether we swim continuously or do intervals: forums.usms.org/showthread.php,
but this is different. I'm proposing continuous swimming AND intervals.
Former Member
Originally posted by LindsayNB
Our coach sometimes has us do long kick sets where he uses a whistle to indicate changes in speed/intensity.
We do those sometimes, and they are killers!
I tried a short version of this today. I did some interval stuff for about 1000 yards, and then since I had limited time on lunch, did the next 1000 continuous, just playing with the intensity.
I did 200 back moderate pace, 100 IM sprint, 200 *** moderate pace, 100 IM sprint, 200 free moderate, 100 IM sprint, 100 IM drill at an easy pace. This took about 20 minutes(I know, I am slow), but I got such a pleasant swimmers high from it, I will do it again. The sprints were really hard, but doable at that short a time, so I will try varying the sprint distances and other speedsand try to work up to a longer period of time. I did get really thirsty though.
Thanks for the idea.
I will allow a couple stops for proper hydration. I guess if you really don't want to stop you could kick on your back and drink from your water bottle. Report back on whether you can do this without drowning, please. :)
Originally posted by knelson
I will allow a couple stops for proper hydration. I guess if you really don't want to stop you could kick on your back and drink from your water bottle. Report back on whether you can do this without drowning, please. :)
I cannot even run and drink water at the same time....you want me to swim and drink water, oh my!
Our coach sometimes has us do long kick sets where he uses a whistle to indicate changes in speed/intensity. It seems you could do the same thing with a continuous freestyle set. Lapping and passing might be a slight issue and would be more of an issue if you mixed strokes.
I do this with my swimmers. I like it because it builds both speed and endurance. The kids like it too. I think its fun to change things up every once and a while. It's also good to do with vertical kicking and (gasp) fins!
I realize this is an older thread...but I just stumbled upon and thought I would mention 2 things.
First, back in December, I was doing a one hour continuous swim every day while working on some endurance for a marathon swim. Generally, it was just pacing back and forth at a moderate pace, but as my hour had dwindled down to the last 10minutes I would do a 100spint and then get right back into a moderate pace warmdown. I actually felt sooo good on those 100sprint frees that I did, because I was so warm and lose from 50minutes of swimming...but in any event. I feel like I was building a lot of arm strength by swimming an hour straight if that is rational to say.
Secondly, I will give this a try after my college season ends, in 3weeks:-D I will do this kinda training leading up to the masters meet I will be swimming at on the first weekend in march.
It's an interesting way to train. When on my own ...I will often go more or less continuous. There's really no one to chat with ...so this helps.
A typical workout might be...
500 warm up of mixed strokes and a few laps of kicking...then right into 10 x 50 drill on :45.
I then go right into the main set (all backstroke) ...
(1) 200 fast on a 2:40 interval.
(2) 100's strong pace on a 1:20 interval
(4) easy paced 50's on :45
This set gets repeated five times for a total of 3000 yards. Total workout is 4,000 yds not including warm down.
It's a great way to keep things interesting...and to be able to switch gears during your swim. Basically it's similar to fartlek swimming. But the pace clock is the guide. You can build a solid aerobic base while using the 50's to keep the focus on good form.
I've tried it a few times. I'm lacking in endurance, so it was rather difficult for me. It's something I could see doing on my own every week or so, but not with a group, unless it's just a long set of one stroke changing intensity at certain points.
I can think ofother ways to rest without standing at the wall. Tread water while checking the clock or getting instructions. Bobbing helps to regulate the breathing and heartbeat. Long slow bobs are very restful.
I like the idea of continuous swimming.
I always feel like resting at the wall is cheating.
