I'm trying to determine what level of strength is required to be a good sprinter (i.e. 100 free).
Could you list your max repetitions of push ups, pull ups and dips? This would give me some assesment on power to weight ratio and strength endurance.
Also, what is your max bench press if you know it? or reps of 225 lbs. I'm curious about what level of pure strength sprinters have.
I think I am deficient mostly in technique and then strength endurance but maybe this post would show me I need weight room work.
Rtodd....Ande nailed it. So often on these forums (and anywehre else) folks looks for a specific "formula" that will help them improve when in fact the first and foremost factor is your own existing strengths/weaknesses.
Strength is very important for a sprinter but there are differant types of "strength"....more and more coaches are noting the importance of any incredible kick as key to the 50/100 (heck, even Thorpe 6 beat kicks the
400m free).
I can't bench press a squirrel or do more than 1 or 2 pull ups...my nemesis (John) is in the 250 range for bench but can't kcik his way out of a paper bag....we're both consistently in the 21+ range for the 50 free.
Case in point; compare Jason Lezak and Ian Crocker
- Jason very muscular, not much flexibility, fair kick
- Ian is almost "soft" but highly flexible and one of the best kickers in the world
Both guys swim the 100yd free in the 42+ range. Ian "swims" the race almost entirely (15yds SDK per lap) underwater.....Jason is a bull who powers his way thru.
Evaluate yourself first....then build your training program around that and don't worry so much about what others can/can't do.
So is either model better? It seems from my reading on the forum that the Crocker model is the more advised/ideal model? But can a Lezak type transform into a Crocker? Or are both superior models, and you should choose the one best that suits your own body type best? Success comes in many sizes and shapes ... ? And while Ande's statement seems clearly correct, it might be a little vague to apply.
Maybe we need to know more about how to weight/other train for a Lezak/JSmith type and how to train for a Crock/PSmith body type? Or more about RTodd?
Rtodd....Ande nailed it. So often on these forums (and anywehre else) folks looks for a specific "formula" that will help them improve when in fact the first and foremost factor is your own existing strengths/weaknesses.
Strength is very important for a sprinter but there are differant types of "strength"....more and more coaches are noting the importance of any incredible kick as key to the 50/100 (heck, even Thorpe 6 beat kicks the
400m free).
I can't bench press a squirrel or do more than 1 or 2 pull ups...my nemesis (John) is in the 250 range for bench but can't kcik his way out of a paper bag....we're both consistently in the 21+ range for the 50 free.
Case in point; compare Jason Lezak and Ian Crocker
- Jason very muscular, not much flexibility, fair kick
- Ian is almost "soft" but highly flexible and one of the best kickers in the world
Both guys swim the 100yd free in the 42+ range. Ian "swims" the race almost entirely (15yds SDK per lap) underwater.....Jason is a bull who powers his way thru.
Evaluate yourself first....then build your training program around that and don't worry so much about what others can/can't do.
So is either model better? It seems from my reading on the forum that the Crocker model is the more advised/ideal model? But can a Lezak type transform into a Crocker? Or are both superior models, and you should choose the one best that suits your own body type best? Success comes in many sizes and shapes ... ? And while Ande's statement seems clearly correct, it might be a little vague to apply.
Maybe we need to know more about how to weight/other train for a Lezak/JSmith type and how to train for a Crock/PSmith body type? Or more about RTodd?
