Using the lats in freesyle

RE: Using the lats in freesyle

Former Member — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:39:59 GMT

I am a new swimmer trying to improve my freestyle stroke and was also wondering myself yesterday while swimming was I using my arm, shoulder or lat muscles in my stroke and in what proportion to each other. I understand what you are saying about the finer points but I was wanting to be sure I wasn't overworking a muscle group or just using my shoulders and not my lats enough, for example. How do I know, as I am swimming, that the lats are doing their work and earning their keep, does it as you say, it just happens with the right technique or can I put more emphasis on the lats when swimming. Also, thanks for all the great advise on this board, I have without doubt improved my swimming with better technique rather than happily splashing up and down the pool all day. Thanks

RE: Using the lats in freesyle

Former Member — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 11:35:54 GMT

Are we falling into the trap of distance per stroke? We can make it very complicated or very simple a very good way to see if the lats are being used is to spray the back with spray on bandage it will tell you immediately. You will feel it.

RE: Using the lats in freesyle

Former Member — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 11:23:51 GMT

Ande, I'm trying to engage the lats more when I swim freestyle. Any suggestions on how to do that? Hmm. That depends on why they're not engaging as much as you'd like to at the first place. Tell us about you. - What's your swimming pace for endurance sets (e.g. 5x200 free) - What's your distance per stroke for the aforementionned set? - What's your specialty? Is it freestyle? - What gives you the impression that they're not engaging enough?

RE: Using the lats in freesyle

Former Member — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 10:46:31 GMT

Lats are frequently called the "prime movers" for swimmers but without an effective catch or Early Vertical Forearm position, building up your lats isn't going to help you much. If your catch is really good then there are a lot of things you can do to help develop those prime movers. 1. Pull-ups 2. Nautalis Pull-Over Machine - One of the best, if not the best lat developer made. 3. Vasa Trainer - a superb machine 4. Total Gym (The Chuck Norris machine) can be used for many many exercises and will give you a lat workout you won't forget 5. Inexpensive stretch cords anchored to something. I'd enjoy talking more at tomtopo@netzero.com - I just finished giving a clinic in Wyoming and I'd enjoy sharing information that may help you get faster. Good luck, Coach T