i have read (here actually: www.swimdcac.org/.../article5.html) that the bench press does more harm than good for swimmers. what is everyone else's opinion (and experience)??
Parents
Former Member
If I may, bench press like squats and lat pulldowns are a good basic exercises that hit the main areas. Doing these in a safe, good form way with weight won't do anything bad. Obviously trying to progress to heavy weight to build muscle may over bulk the chest and/or lead to injury, but in it's own right benching with freewieghts at least, hits your core too...just not your lower half like press ups.
To be honest you could do squats, lats and benchpress and generically hit all the muscle groups. Most folks would get good returns from these 3 exercises alone.
Reply
Former Member
If I may, bench press like squats and lat pulldowns are a good basic exercises that hit the main areas. Doing these in a safe, good form way with weight won't do anything bad. Obviously trying to progress to heavy weight to build muscle may over bulk the chest and/or lead to injury, but in it's own right benching with freewieghts at least, hits your core too...just not your lower half like press ups.
To be honest you could do squats, lats and benchpress and generically hit all the muscle groups. Most folks would get good returns from these 3 exercises alone.
