Getting into shape is hard to do....

Hi Ande! Big discussion around weight lifting vs Swimming currently in our team. Michael Phelps never lift weights..he seems to do pretty good in the pool:rolleyes:. Lots of others spending lots of time in the gym as well. You recommend weight lifting as I understand. Why? Do you recommend it even for 35+ age groups? Thx!/Per Per: Now, I'm not Ande, but I think Ande would say yes to your last question. (He himself is over 35 and lifts.) As you age, you start to lose muscle mass. To counteract that, you need to life weights. If not for swimming, just for general health because more muscle mass helps along your other systems. But even for swimming, weight lifting is important, especially if you are a sprinter. I think Ande listed some swimming specific weight training on the "Ask Ande" thread recently. I thought Michael Phelps had recently started lifting weights ... I understand he has a mean medicine ball routine, which would be a good substitute/complement to weights. Kyra: If you've just recently started running, make sure you don't ramp up the milage too fast. Even though you're young, too much mileage too soon can easily result in injuries (even with good technique). And if your knees already hurt, you might want to back off. Do you need a lot of running for Parkour? I would do shorter runs at least of no more than 30 minutes. I usually run 2-3 times a week, even though it's not good for my swimming. (If you have to double up, do a run/swim instead of a swim/swim.) But before a big meet like Nationals, I try to completely cut out the running (and weights) for at least 2-3 weeks. So, if you're going to run, don't "add it in" in the spring shortly before Nationals. Plus, if your knees hurt, better to use a treadmill or run on dirt or grass. Less pounding. Good luck! You sound very ambitious. P.S. When are you going to write another poem?

Hi Ande! Big discussion around weight lifting vs Swimming currently in our team. Michael Phelps never lift weights..he seems to do pretty good in the pool:rolleyes:. Lots of others spending lots of time in the gym as well. You recommend weight lifting as I understand. Why? Do you recommend it even for 35+ age groups? Thx!/Per Per: Now, I'm not Ande, but I think Ande would say yes to your last question. (He himself is over 35 and lifts.) As you age, you start to lose muscle mass. To counteract that, you need to life weights. If not for swimming, just for general health because more muscle mass helps along your other systems. But even for swimming, weight lifting is important, especially if you are a sprinter. I think Ande listed some swimming specific weight training on the "Ask Ande" thread recently. I thought Michael Phelps had recently started lifting weights ... I understand he has a mean medicine ball routine, which would be a good substitute/complement to weights. Kyra: If you've just recently started running, make sure you don't ramp up the milage too fast. Even though you're young, too much mileage too soon can easily result in injuries (even with good technique). And if your knees already hurt, you might want to back off. Do you need a lot of running for Parkour? I would do shorter runs at least of no more than 30 minutes. I usually run 2-3 times a week, even though it's not good for my swimming. (If you have to double up, do a run/swim instead of a swim/swim.) But before a big meet like Nationals, I try to completely cut out the running (and weights) for at least 2-3 weeks. So, if you're going to run, don't "add it in" in the spring shortly before Nationals. Plus, if your knees hurt, better to use a treadmill or run on dirt or grass. Less pounding. Good luck! You sound very ambitious. P.S. When are you going to write another poem?