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)??
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Former Member
I don't do dips or push ups either. Anything really where my shoulders are supporting my body weight.
To restore balance, you should do RC exercises and scapular stabilizers, plus any exercise that strengthens the back and anterior muscles, especially the teres muscles. Rowing is good, although shouldn't be overdone. Any machine with a pulling motion that causes you to retract and protract the shoulder blades is effective. There are also dryland exercises that help strengthen the scapular muscles with retraction and protraction like the prone hitchhiker, etc.
I'm not sure about doorway stretches ... I'm leary of stretching my tendons. But I can see where you would want to stretch the muscles in the front of the shoulder, but NOT the back. Presumably the tendons are loosey goosey back there from all the repetitive motion on fly and free. Or genetics. Or both.
I'll show you my PT reccomended stretches tomorrow. As a consolation prize for you. :D
You're right about not overdoing rowing. That is good advice for any and all things.
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Former Member
I don't do dips or push ups either. Anything really where my shoulders are supporting my body weight.
To restore balance, you should do RC exercises and scapular stabilizers, plus any exercise that strengthens the back and anterior muscles, especially the teres muscles. Rowing is good, although shouldn't be overdone. Any machine with a pulling motion that causes you to retract and protract the shoulder blades is effective. There are also dryland exercises that help strengthen the scapular muscles with retraction and protraction like the prone hitchhiker, etc.
I'm not sure about doorway stretches ... I'm leary of stretching my tendons. But I can see where you would want to stretch the muscles in the front of the shoulder, but NOT the back. Presumably the tendons are loosey goosey back there from all the repetitive motion on fly and free. Or genetics. Or both.
I'll show you my PT reccomended stretches tomorrow. As a consolation prize for you. :D
You're right about not overdoing rowing. That is good advice for any and all things.
