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
Yes, strength training is transferable to the water both in terms of core body strength as well as increased power through the end of your taper period. Weights offer obvious advantages for things like distance off starts and walls, power in your kick and in particular arm speed and body position during raw sprinting.
Weights will make you tight and tired during pool workouts and pool workouts will make you tired in the weight room. But consider it a form of cross training.... i.e. anaerobic vs. aerobic. They may feel like opposites but they are complimentary for the best results in the pool for the 200's on down.
John Smith
Yes, strength training is transferable to the water both in terms of core body strength as well as increased power through the end of your taper period. Weights offer obvious advantages for things like distance off starts and walls, power in your kick and in particular arm speed and body position during raw sprinting.
Weights will make you tight and tired during pool workouts and pool workouts will make you tired in the weight room. But consider it a form of cross training.... i.e. anaerobic vs. aerobic. They may feel like opposites but they are complimentary for the best results in the pool for the 200's on down.
John Smith
