I'm looking to gain more knowledge about sprint freestyle swimming. As an long retired distance freestyler I don't have a great deal of personal knowledge of how to swim the 50 or 100 freestyle. I've coached many sprint freestylers and I know that many of the best sprinters have what I would say an amazing strategy to their sprint swims. I am currently giving private lessons to many age groupers and high school swimmers and I've been explaining to them that some of the best sprinters in the world swim their 50 or 100 with more strategy than just the plain old thought of swimming "FAST".
I would very much appreciate any of you sprinters out there who would like to share your strategies for swimming these two events. I would love to be able to pass on some of this information, but I think many of us in the masters community could learn from some of you as well. I look forward to seeing some of the responses. Maybe I will try sprinting one day (LOL):rofl: .
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Cool read. This bit really got my attention:
“Researchers show that anaerobic exercise (short, quick-burst, get you winded fast) is the type of fitness training that increases exercise-induced growth hormone. And growth hormone is, without question, the most powerful body fat-reducing, muscle-toning, anti-aging, and anti-middle-aging agent known in science.”
I had to google “plyometrics”... and got this:
“In recent years this distinct method of training for power or explosiveness has been termed plyometrics. Whatever the origins of the word the term is used to describe the method of training which seeks to enhance the explosive reaction of the individual through powerful muscular contractions as a result of rapid eccentric contractions.”
I have never really focused on sprint activity because it seemed out of my reach, but I guess I should rethink this. A few months ago I added a segment to my practice of doing as many 50 fly as I could do in 15min. Then it was 6 or 7. Now it is 8 or 9. I guess that qualifies as sprint activity, but (as always) I usually wait till I’m not gasping for breath and my heart rate is something less than that of a rabbit pursued by a fox. Timed intervals would probably be better based on what I see and hear, but I prefer to simply listen to my body.
I think allowing your heart to regain it's composure might be good for your training as well as allowing to you live! I would not wait for a sub 100 pulse but I usually wait for something around the 120 -130 range between sprints. One need not overexert themselves to show improvement.
I often do 50 freestyle sprints and sometimes 25's...the 25's start with a slow 25 and then I rip and tear all the way home. I don't try to force as many as i can into a time frame, I just recover a bit in between swims and keep up the rhythm. It is more fun than swimming boring 100 repeats and I think it probably does more good for your endurance, strength, and speed. Just my opinion though. :2cents:
Cool read. This bit really got my attention:
“Researchers show that anaerobic exercise (short, quick-burst, get you winded fast) is the type of fitness training that increases exercise-induced growth hormone. And growth hormone is, without question, the most powerful body fat-reducing, muscle-toning, anti-aging, and anti-middle-aging agent known in science.”
I had to google “plyometrics”... and got this:
“In recent years this distinct method of training for power or explosiveness has been termed plyometrics. Whatever the origins of the word the term is used to describe the method of training which seeks to enhance the explosive reaction of the individual through powerful muscular contractions as a result of rapid eccentric contractions.”
I have never really focused on sprint activity because it seemed out of my reach, but I guess I should rethink this. A few months ago I added a segment to my practice of doing as many 50 fly as I could do in 15min. Then it was 6 or 7. Now it is 8 or 9. I guess that qualifies as sprint activity, but (as always) I usually wait till I’m not gasping for breath and my heart rate is something less than that of a rabbit pursued by a fox. Timed intervals would probably be better based on what I see and hear, but I prefer to simply listen to my body.
I think allowing your heart to regain it's composure might be good for your training as well as allowing to you live! I would not wait for a sub 100 pulse but I usually wait for something around the 120 -130 range between sprints. One need not overexert themselves to show improvement.
I often do 50 freestyle sprints and sometimes 25's...the 25's start with a slow 25 and then I rip and tear all the way home. I don't try to force as many as i can into a time frame, I just recover a bit in between swims and keep up the rhythm. It is more fun than swimming boring 100 repeats and I think it probably does more good for your endurance, strength, and speed. Just my opinion though. :2cents:
