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.
I place heavy emphasis on weight training, biased toward power with sets limited to 10 reps or under. I also have spent alot of time running sprints on the track.
I recently picked up swimming due to a bad back. At my first meet several weeks ago, I swam a 50 yard free in 30.23 with a horrible turn and I'm sure questionable form. I did this after about 15-20 swim workouts total. So basically I did this entirely on strength derived outside the pool. With an improved turn I am hoping for a 27 sec at the next meet.
My observation is that lifting is a necessity (for the sprints), especially in the non-competative season.
I place heavy emphasis on weight training, biased toward power with sets limited to 10 reps or under. I also have spent alot of time running sprints on the track.
I recently picked up swimming due to a bad back. At my first meet several weeks ago, I swam a 50 yard free in 30.23 with a horrible turn and I'm sure questionable form. I did this after about 15-20 swim workouts total. So basically I did this entirely on strength derived outside the pool. With an improved turn I am hoping for a 27 sec at the next meet.
My observation is that lifting is a necessity (for the sprints), especially in the non-competative season.
