Does swimming build MUSCLE, or do I need to go to the gym?
Former Member
I want to swim more, but I also want to get bigger (I'm 6 foot 140 pounds, so pretty scrawny at the moment.)
At first I thought these might be conflicting goals -- more cardio = get smaller.
But assuming proper nutrition, will I build muscle with swimming? Or is the Michael Phelps build a result of him going to the gym, and not his swim practice?
I don't think swimming 50's and 100's is low weight high rep, I think it is high weight high rep. This generates lactic acid and taxes the CNS which I think triggers production of natural HGH and eureka! you get bigger. The body needs to buffer the lactic acid. One way I think the body reacts is to trigger muscle growth in the hopes of supplying sufficient ATP anaerobically in future workouts. NFL linemen have discovered this and are doing high weight high rep workouts to failure in the gym. Also compound movements like power cleans, weigh sled sprinting...etc.
Swimming distance may be areobic and "low weight high reps", but not sprinting. I feel when I am sprinting I can't possibly pull back any harder.
Just my opinion.
I don't think swimming 50's and 100's is low weight high rep, I think it is high weight high rep. This generates lactic acid and taxes the CNS which I think triggers production of natural HGH and eureka! you get bigger. The body needs to buffer the lactic acid. One way I think the body reacts is to trigger muscle growth in the hopes of supplying sufficient ATP anaerobically in future workouts. NFL linemen have discovered this and are doing high weight high rep workouts to failure in the gym. Also compound movements like power cleans, weigh sled sprinting...etc.
Swimming distance may be areobic and "low weight high reps", but not sprinting. I feel when I am sprinting I can't possibly pull back any harder.
Just my opinion.
