Let me pick your brains for a moment.
In college, we used a machine that really helped me with my arm strength and with my cardio work out as well. I cannot remember the name of it. Perhaps one of you can, I'm going to describe it as best I can.
It's long, at least six feet, with a movable rest on the top. you lay on it (you can be on your back but mostly on your stomach) and reach forward for 2 straps, one on each side. you put your hand around the strap, which looks like a swimming paddle. then you pull, fly or freestyle, while the machine can be set to record how far you've pulled and how much/little resistance.
does anyone know what i'm talking about?? :dunno:
thanks! i'd love to find one near here...
We have one of those right on deck at my pool for the college team. Only one of our masters swimmers uses it. He heads right over there after practice for more pain. Of course, he swims events like the 200 fly and 800 free. Is this machine Ok on the shoulders?
Thanks Terry and SwimmerLisa:
I think I'm avoiding the VASA machine. My arms are pretty strong already, so I'd rather spend my limited free time strengthening the core with dryland or weights on a bosu or doing my rotator cuff muscles exercises. I also run to get in some weight bearing activity. (I know some swim teams have their swimmers cross train with running. I'm not sure whether that really helps their swimming. I guess that's another interesting topic we'll have to explore.) I'd love to do pilates too, but I just don't have the time. I also should be eating flax seeds and acai fruit too ...
Gil:
I do a lot with 3 or 5 pound hand weights: lifting the arms straight up from the thighs to the shoulders (thumbs out), in a v formation from the inner thighs to shoulder height, and to the sides to shoulder height. I do tricep kickbacks. I'll put my elbows at shoulder height with fingertips down and lift my hands forward to shoulder height. I do shoulder shrugs. In the gym, I do chest press and seated dips, but instead of the fully extended motion, I do a small motion keeping my arms straight and moving my shoulders. That works the small muscles. For all these exercises, I do low weight and high reps usually 25. Sometimes I use a theraband. There's a booklet out called the Buckberger 12, which lists all these. I'm sure there's more. There are many sites which show these exercises in action. I think some may be listed under one of the shoulder problems threads. Good luck! Leslie
This handy little invention will work every muscle you need (in the upper body and torso)...even legs...for increasing strenth in the swimming muscles.
Inexpensive and it works. ;)
(I know some swim teams have their swimmers cross train with running. I'm not sure whether that really helps their swimming. I guess that's another interesting topic we'll have to explore.) ...
It makes you a better runner.
If anything it's a great way to get some rest (recovery)for the swimming muscles...while still doing a cardio workout.
I trained all winter in La Tuque Quebec (no pool available) with a pulley machine that I built with four clothes line pulleys, window sashs weights and window sash cords. I built it in a closet. It was sure good to come out of the closet in the spring and get into the rivers and lakes.
