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)??
I'm with you Ande. I do not bench or do weighted dips anymore.
I competed in power lifting and benched my whole life. Now that I have been swimming for several years 5 to 6 times a week, I no longer bench because I feel strain inside my shoulders. But I can do more pushups now than before. That tells me something.
The big surprise for me was the devlopment of all my posterior muscles from swimming. Tri's, Back, upper shoulders and especially lats. My upper body is bigger now than when powerlifting (definately not the glutes and legs though).
If you want to swim fast, there is no substitute for swimming. If I were to do any lifting it would be pull ups and rows. These don't seem to put the same strain on my shoulders as benching and dips. If your shoulders can handle benching go right ahead, but I don't see the need.
I'm with you Ande. I do not bench or do weighted dips anymore.
I competed in power lifting and benched my whole life. Now that I have been swimming for several years 5 to 6 times a week, I no longer bench because I feel strain inside my shoulders. But I can do more pushups now than before. That tells me something.
The big surprise for me was the devlopment of all my posterior muscles from swimming. Tri's, Back, upper shoulders and especially lats. My upper body is bigger now than when powerlifting (definately not the glutes and legs though).
If you want to swim fast, there is no substitute for swimming. If I were to do any lifting it would be pull ups and rows. These don't seem to put the same strain on my shoulders as benching and dips. If your shoulders can handle benching go right ahead, but I don't see the need.
