I have been reading and watching posts and replies, on the General forum, as well as Coaching forum, that seem to dismiss the importance of having developed triceps. I may be wrong, but what I surmised is that even though having a longer stroke is of great importance (and I am an advocate of a longer sroke depending upon the distance and actual stroke being swum), that many people including Kaizen making statements that a long stroke is better, there is much conclusion that "finishing" the stroke lower on the leg has several problems: 1) it takes tricep strength so avoid it and 2) finishing shorter and closer to the waist area is the way to go.
Now granted, a 50 free sprint probably needs a lesser SPL than a 200 or 400, but my concern in this topic is that there may be a message to other swimmers that finishing later on the body requires more strength in the back of the arm (triceps) so avoid it. My Word: Wrong!!
Every great, great swimmer I have ever seen has the arms of Hercules, both in biceps, shoulders and triceps. And even at my older age and a fatter body, the one remaining muscle group that is ripped is the triceps on my arms because they have been trained over years and carry me through even now. Having these great muscles developed continues to aid in my powerfully finishing my stroke and setting up for the next one. Triceps DO provide propulsion in the stroke finish/recovery portion of the stroke, so making sure they are developed, as well as other components of your body, is extremely important. Just one swimmer's point of view....and open for discussion.....
donna
Parents
Former Member
My triceps are pretty well developed, and the only activity I engage in that would likely do this is swimming. I tend to extend my arms as much as possible at the beginning and end of all strokes. This is most pronounced in the front & back crawl strokes (obviously *** & fly have shorter pulls). I tend to do equal amounts of each stroke at each practice, very few drills and props (boards, buoys, etc... mostly just swim). And I tend to do short sets with lots of rest (nothing over 300yds w/o stopping to rest now). All of this is because my shoulders (as well as most of my extremities) are thoroughly wrecked with arthritis.
I believe everyone adapts to what works for them. And no doubt the strategy/technique for sprints is way different than long distance open water swims.
In my “free” technique I tend to have my recovering arm almost completely straight before it enters the water (which I’ve no doubt is bad news for long-distance swims). I believe it improves my streamlining and balance for this stroke. I also tend to try and pull/push all the way back, reaching back (and forward) with my shoulders, occasionally brushing my thigh with my thumb as a drill to see how far back I’m going. For me the key is an elbow first recovery, keeping the recovering arm very relaxed. I reach out as far with the forward arm as I can for the catch, following the entry with my shoulder, sometimes (as a drill) till I get a stretch in my lats. Good shoulder rotation (in free) seems necessary to properly engage the core muscles, especially the lats.
On all my strokes I try to stretch into the stroke (like I’m dong Yoga), and make the fullest stroke that is comfortably possible. I focus on this and streamlining, as well as trying to activate as many muscles as possible for each pull. (i.e. Actively trying to engage back and other core trunk muscles whenever possible, which takes some extra effort, for me anyway.)
I don’t think the development of my triceps is limited to free, but that they are engaged in all my strokes. As I’ve tweaked my fly technique over the past two years or so I’ve noticed some significant (nice :-) changes in my upper body tone (but that is another thread topic). I believe my fly practice has also really helped my free and *** pulls, getting better use of core muscles.
In 1994 I could not lift my elbows above my shoulders, so I could not extend my arms over my head (while horizontal or vertical, in water or out). Now I can do 100’s of yards of butterfly in a practice if I choose to (but it was past Y2K, over 6yrs, before fly was even a faint spark in my brain). The changes that resulted in my recovery are best measured in years, but sometimes months.
I’m a bit baffled sometimes by folks claiming shoulder injuries from swimming, as it has had the opposite effect on me. But I’m guessing it is from overuse and stress, as on the days I try to dial up my intensity I get messages from my shoulders that I need to back off.
Moderation is the key.
My triceps are pretty well developed, and the only activity I engage in that would likely do this is swimming. I tend to extend my arms as much as possible at the beginning and end of all strokes. This is most pronounced in the front & back crawl strokes (obviously *** & fly have shorter pulls). I tend to do equal amounts of each stroke at each practice, very few drills and props (boards, buoys, etc... mostly just swim). And I tend to do short sets with lots of rest (nothing over 300yds w/o stopping to rest now). All of this is because my shoulders (as well as most of my extremities) are thoroughly wrecked with arthritis.
I believe everyone adapts to what works for them. And no doubt the strategy/technique for sprints is way different than long distance open water swims.
In my “free” technique I tend to have my recovering arm almost completely straight before it enters the water (which I’ve no doubt is bad news for long-distance swims). I believe it improves my streamlining and balance for this stroke. I also tend to try and pull/push all the way back, reaching back (and forward) with my shoulders, occasionally brushing my thigh with my thumb as a drill to see how far back I’m going. For me the key is an elbow first recovery, keeping the recovering arm very relaxed. I reach out as far with the forward arm as I can for the catch, following the entry with my shoulder, sometimes (as a drill) till I get a stretch in my lats. Good shoulder rotation (in free) seems necessary to properly engage the core muscles, especially the lats.
On all my strokes I try to stretch into the stroke (like I’m dong Yoga), and make the fullest stroke that is comfortably possible. I focus on this and streamlining, as well as trying to activate as many muscles as possible for each pull. (i.e. Actively trying to engage back and other core trunk muscles whenever possible, which takes some extra effort, for me anyway.)
I don’t think the development of my triceps is limited to free, but that they are engaged in all my strokes. As I’ve tweaked my fly technique over the past two years or so I’ve noticed some significant (nice :-) changes in my upper body tone (but that is another thread topic). I believe my fly practice has also really helped my free and *** pulls, getting better use of core muscles.
In 1994 I could not lift my elbows above my shoulders, so I could not extend my arms over my head (while horizontal or vertical, in water or out). Now I can do 100’s of yards of butterfly in a practice if I choose to (but it was past Y2K, over 6yrs, before fly was even a faint spark in my brain). The changes that resulted in my recovery are best measured in years, but sometimes months.
I’m a bit baffled sometimes by folks claiming shoulder injuries from swimming, as it has had the opposite effect on me. But I’m guessing it is from overuse and stress, as on the days I try to dial up my intensity I get messages from my shoulders that I need to back off.
Moderation is the key.
