Does cross-training with running help swimming?

certainly, the best runners/triathletes, that i have the pleasure to swim with, loose as much of their "swimming shape" as the swimmers do when they are absent from the h2o. (no matter how much running and/or biking they do during that period) as far as cross training... yoga addresses all the parts of my body i am prone to neglect.....in a good way!

Strong legs and strong kicks are what has helped me have such a succesfull underwater kick, fast turns and strong breastroke pullouts. ANY swimmer (not just club swimmers) can benefit from strenghtening of muscles. Weak swimmers are not fast swimmers. I don't know if it was accurate or not but I remember reading that Michael Phelps was one of the weakest members of the olympic team. I can't remember for sure if running was part of his training regime.

'specificity' 'specificity' 'specificity'

from findarticles.com/.../ai_n9234914 "In addition to water work, we religiously incorporated a "Mike Barrowman medicine ball routine" into his dryland routine, and we did a threeweek stay at altitude in Colorado Springs. He's followed his long course success with the best fall and winter he's ever had-by far." I can't find any other info on his work outs - but it does appear dryland work is helping him. I would definitely say he is not the "weakest" member of the team - or did everyone hallucinate all those muscles? No one on that team is weak - especially not one of the fastest swimmers.

I think swimming is better cardio because it uses your arms AND your legs unlike running. Actually, I think swimming is better cardio because it does not beat up your joints, bones, and organs like running does.

OK I hate running so I am not unbiased,but I think your time could be better spent doing more swim specific exercises.I'll distiguish running on level ground from stadiums. Running stairs is less jarring and gives a better workout to the muscles used in breaststroke.Biking is also good for breaststroke. Regular running is hard on your hips and knees with very little swimming crossover except cardio.Cardio is of course important,but if I am cross training I want to either do something that directly helps my swimming or that I like and as I said I hate running.

I started running for the first time in my life this past January and have noticed a marked improvement in my swimming, especially distance events or high yardage sets with short rest. I also have noticed improved agility. I was a doofus out of the water. I think cross training is the way to go. Plus, it provides a nice diversity of exercise routine. Then again, there are some who only swim and only swim the same workout over and over and over, and are at the elite level.

I will continue to run, holding to my belief it has and is improving my swimming. Then again, I was in a swimming funk in 2005. I'd like to see the physiologist quotes that Terry is referring to. Oh, and pigeon boy, I'll be in the locker room first all right, waiting for you to open your wallet and dole out the cash you owe me. And, this year, I won't look away pretending that wetness on your face is pool water when it's really your sad pitiful tears of despair! scyfreestyler - you rock, killer.

Absolutely. It increases your levels of endurance and stamina, and also builds leg strength. We ran almost every day with my club team - including stadiums - and I feel as though it has helped me tremendously in all aspects of my swimming.

Our coach told use anything but heavy weights, we ran, we biked, we rowed, we paddled in a canoe, we hiked and even partied. We went to the sports field next to the pool and did execises. We would do Robert Kilputh suggested exercises - oh how I wish I had that pamphlet. Passed the heavy medicine ball, ran frontwards and backwards. Our coach told us never do the duck walk, bad for the knees.