I would like to hear thoughts on strength training for masters swimming. Here are a few questions of interest to me and also, I hope, to other forum members:
1. Is dry land strength transferable to the water? As far as I know, this is a very controversial question. The answer to this primary question is of the utmost importance. I remember reading that the great Australian coach Forbes Carlile didn't let Kieren Pierkins weight train because he felt that the answer to this question was no. Pierkins was the first swimmer to break 15:00 in the 1500m.
2. Most of us master swimmers have very busy professional carrers and our time is limited. So - should we cut into pool time to strength train?
3. If we conclude that strength training is beneficial to the swimmer then what method of strength training to employ? Free weights, machines, cables, cords, bodyweight exercises - combinations of these?
I have some more questions but I think that this is enough for openers.
Parents
Former Member
I think there are a couple of issues here. First, resistance training has been shown to reduce the loss of muscle mass which occurs with aging and can help prevent osteoporosis. Second, I think there is a definite role in injury prevention, specifically swimmer's shoulder, with exercises targeting the rotator cuff and stabilization of the scapula. My routine requires about 30 minutes two or three days/week. I think it's less clear whether gains in strength are transferred to the pool. However, many successful elite swimmers have extensive dryland programs (Gary Hall and Inge de Brujn to name two).
I think there are a couple of issues here. First, resistance training has been shown to reduce the loss of muscle mass which occurs with aging and can help prevent osteoporosis. Second, I think there is a definite role in injury prevention, specifically swimmer's shoulder, with exercises targeting the rotator cuff and stabilization of the scapula. My routine requires about 30 minutes two or three days/week. I think it's less clear whether gains in strength are transferred to the pool. However, many successful elite swimmers have extensive dryland programs (Gary Hall and Inge de Brujn to name two).
