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)??
When developing upper body strength for swimming purposes, you want to concentrate on swimming specific muscles
...When you are pushing a large amount of weight (greater than 60% of your body weight) away from your body, you are destroying the rotator cuff muscles. When performing the bench press, too much of the weight is supported and stabilized by the rotator cuff muscles. These are the most important muscles for swimming.
Isn't this a little contradictory? First he says to work the muscles you use in swimming, then he says bench is no good because you work a muscle used in swimming. So which one is it going to be?
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.
Exactly.
When developing upper body strength for swimming purposes, you want to concentrate on swimming specific muscles
...When you are pushing a large amount of weight (greater than 60% of your body weight) away from your body, you are destroying the rotator cuff muscles. When performing the bench press, too much of the weight is supported and stabilized by the rotator cuff muscles. These are the most important muscles for swimming.
Isn't this a little contradictory? First he says to work the muscles you use in swimming, then he says bench is no good because you work a muscle used in swimming. So which one is it going to be?
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.
Exactly.
