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)??
In college (many many years ago) I was a big bench presser. I added strength and size easily. But I just started a weights program and so far am not doing any bench at all. For several reasons - 1) my shoulders are a bit fragile now, 2) I just don't see the value to any swimming stroke to have an unusually strong pectoral muscle.
Actually, I think it helps us breaststrokers, since our arms are doing mostly sculling and not "pulling". I'm just getting back into the weights but see value in flys, pec deck, etc. I think the idea is to keep the weights pretty low and the reps pretty high. No reason to "bulk up" on the bench...
In college (many many years ago) I was a big bench presser. I added strength and size easily. But I just started a weights program and so far am not doing any bench at all. For several reasons - 1) my shoulders are a bit fragile now, 2) I just don't see the value to any swimming stroke to have an unusually strong pectoral muscle.
Actually, I think it helps us breaststrokers, since our arms are doing mostly sculling and not "pulling". I'm just getting back into the weights but see value in flys, pec deck, etc. I think the idea is to keep the weights pretty low and the reps pretty high. No reason to "bulk up" on the bench...
