I'm swimming with an age-group team and I am having some concerns about the workouts. Today, the entire workout was breaststroke. Warmup - 1500 ***. First Set - 7x300 ***, 30 sec rest interval between 300s. Second Set - 300 kick (***), Third Set - 20x100 ***. Cool Down.
I made it through the warmup and 4 of the first 300s before I could no longer lift my arms and my legs were starting to cramp. I swam free the remaining 300s and completed the kick set before I had to call it quits. (No one else finished either).
I've got mixed feelings about this type of workout and I would like some feedback.
On the one hand, my *** stroke muscles got a great workout. On the other hand, it was impossible to maintain perfect form. Instead I concentrated mostly on high elbows and the outsweep portion as well as a good kick.
Prior to swimming with this particular coach, my philosophy was to not sacrifice form and technique for yardage. But are there times when it is good to overwork the muscles?
BTW: Although this is only my 3rd workout with this Coach, I have noticed that this type of workout is not unusual, we have yet to do any freestyle sets. It has all been butterfly, back and ***.
Two main coaches are still awol so I wasn't able to ask either of them what the deal is. I did ask one of the kids if it is common for there to be "one stroke" workouts and she said that usually the workouts include other strokes. Mmmmm, I'm not holding my breath as I'm on my 3rd week and I've yet to see a freestyle set.
Tonight was backstroke night -
Warm Up
6x400 backstroke
Main Set
3x1000 backstroke pull, 2 min rest, double arm every 100 yards.
Both the breaststroke and backstroke workouts are totally insane. They don't seem especially intended to accomplish anything except injury. Even if you have a particular stroke focus for that night, which is fine, you still have to mix up the strokes/drills, etc. a bit. Warm up 6 x 400 back?!?! Stupid! Keep doing your own thing. That workout is really messed up. I would never do it. Aside from the injury/lack of utility/effectiveness factora, I would die of boredom ... :snore: :shakeshead: (Of course, kids don't have as much freedom of expression as masters swimmers.)
My kid's USA-S team never does workouts like that from what I have heard/seen. My masters team gets some workouts from a college coach. We never do that crap. And I've never done a workout with no freestyle whatsoever ...
Two main coaches are still awol so I wasn't able to ask either of them what the deal is. I did ask one of the kids if it is common for there to be "one stroke" workouts and she said that usually the workouts include other strokes. Mmmmm, I'm not holding my breath as I'm on my 3rd week and I've yet to see a freestyle set.
Tonight was backstroke night -
Warm Up
6x400 backstroke
Main Set
3x1000 backstroke pull, 2 min rest, double arm every 100 yards.
Both the breaststroke and backstroke workouts are totally insane. They don't seem especially intended to accomplish anything except injury. Even if you have a particular stroke focus for that night, which is fine, you still have to mix up the strokes/drills, etc. a bit. Warm up 6 x 400 back?!?! Stupid! Keep doing your own thing. That workout is really messed up. I would never do it. Aside from the injury/lack of utility/effectiveness factora, I would die of boredom ... :snore: :shakeshead: (Of course, kids don't have as much freedom of expression as masters swimmers.)
My kid's USA-S team never does workouts like that from what I have heard/seen. My masters team gets some workouts from a college coach. We never do that crap. And I've never done a workout with no freestyle whatsoever ...
