Masters swimmer Erik Hochstein posted an interesting question over on the Timed Fianls site: www.timedfinals.com/.../
Basically, Stefan Nystrand swam the 2nd fastest 100 m free in history last week in Paris (47.91). Stefan says he trains 20K max per week in the pool with only two days per work of dryland. He swims either all out or easy, nothing in between.
So what do you think? Is this possible? Are swimmers and coaches too hung up on putting in yardage? Is this "less is more" philosophy something we'll see more of? It is certainly appealing to Masters swimmers who usually have a limited amount of time to train.
There are so many variables in there ... first of all I want to know how much yardage all of those guys pounded out as a kid to get where they are. I don't think you can become a top swimmer with that little yardage - maintaing even making gains is different. I think the bottom line is you need to find what works for you. A guy like Erik Vendt isn't going to be able to do 3K a workout and 20K a week and swim like he does, nor Phelps. Probably stroke guys and 200 and up guys (and gals) couldn't get away with it either.
I like the idea of smart swimming and plenty of people are doing this with great results - Coughlin, Lezak, Hall, Race Club in general, Nystrand, Torres, etc. Many are still getting a good amount 5-7K a workout in but they are swimming smarter - really focusing on technique and on speed. There's a balance somewhere in there. Most of those guys (except Nystrand) seem to have a really tough dry land training program too though. I wonder if Nystrand is being completely truthful.
There are so many variables in there ... first of all I want to know how much yardage all of those guys pounded out as a kid to get where they are. I don't think you can become a top swimmer with that little yardage - maintaing even making gains is different. I think the bottom line is you need to find what works for you. A guy like Erik Vendt isn't going to be able to do 3K a workout and 20K a week and swim like he does, nor Phelps. Probably stroke guys and 200 and up guys (and gals) couldn't get away with it either.
I like the idea of smart swimming and plenty of people are doing this with great results - Coughlin, Lezak, Hall, Race Club in general, Nystrand, Torres, etc. Many are still getting a good amount 5-7K a workout in but they are swimming smarter - really focusing on technique and on speed. There's a balance somewhere in there. Most of those guys (except Nystrand) seem to have a really tough dry land training program too though. I wonder if Nystrand is being completely truthful.
