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.
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Former Member
I totally agree with dorothyrde and gull80. Weight training has obvious benefits in injury prevention and help reducing muscle and bone density loss.
Weight training corrects muscle imbalance and increases strength in a way swimming cannot provide (because the muscle needs stronger stimulation to grow). In my case, dryland benefits transfers perfectly to the water: stronger shoulder muscles has cured my starting shoulder tendonitis last year. And improved core strength helps me to better survive a butterfly set.
As for equipement, I exercise at home, using free weights (avoid pattern injury caused by identical movement of machines) and body weight. It is possible to replicate some of the cable & cords exercises with dumbbells.
I practice weight (40%) & swimming (60%) for fitness. I don't train weight specifically to be better at swimming.
I totally agree with dorothyrde and gull80. Weight training has obvious benefits in injury prevention and help reducing muscle and bone density loss.
Weight training corrects muscle imbalance and increases strength in a way swimming cannot provide (because the muscle needs stronger stimulation to grow). In my case, dryland benefits transfers perfectly to the water: stronger shoulder muscles has cured my starting shoulder tendonitis last year. And improved core strength helps me to better survive a butterfly set.
As for equipement, I exercise at home, using free weights (avoid pattern injury caused by identical movement of machines) and body weight. It is possible to replicate some of the cable & cords exercises with dumbbells.
I practice weight (40%) & swimming (60%) for fitness. I don't train weight specifically to be better at swimming.
