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.
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Former Member
I don't think swimming fast is as simple as lifting weights. I can tell you that the fastest sprinters on our USS team are the leanest/skinniest kids of the group. One of them, a fairly thin 6-0 15 year old was swimming 21 high 50 SCY's last year and a 47 high 100 SCY..Free. IMHO, maximizing your efficiency in the water is going to improve your swimming FAR more than lifting weights.
I recall reading somewhere before the 04 Olympics that Phelps tested out to be one of the weaker members of the US Team. I don't know too many people that would call him slow with a straight face.
Some weights are good for us in general as they help maintain bone density but I would not count on them as a ticket to faster swims.
I don't think swimming fast is as simple as lifting weights. I can tell you that the fastest sprinters on our USS team are the leanest/skinniest kids of the group. One of them, a fairly thin 6-0 15 year old was swimming 21 high 50 SCY's last year and a 47 high 100 SCY..Free. IMHO, maximizing your efficiency in the water is going to improve your swimming FAR more than lifting weights.
I recall reading somewhere before the 04 Olympics that Phelps tested out to be one of the weaker members of the US Team. I don't know too many people that would call him slow with a straight face.
Some weights are good for us in general as they help maintain bone density but I would not count on them as a ticket to faster swims.
