Tricep fatigue

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:51:55 GMT

Tactics we need a mixed bag when training. When working out I like the 2-2-2 method. 2 days hard, 2 days heavy to moderate, 2 days easy to moderate. 1 day complete rest.

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:43:26 GMT

Muscles get tired with stress, to much fatigue , too much stress on the arms. My pull phase is not a pull phase it is a levered action from my the back. I don't pull I press. Triceps are push (press) muscles and engage the back..biceps are pull and the antagonists..I believe that George is correct and improper form is usually the culprit...true in my case..Paul will know the answer in 2-4 weeks..If the fatigue persists then it has to be a form issue..exercise stategy for now would be light/heavy workouts,or decrease duration and/ or intensity,48 hours rest between heavy workouts etc..the same for swimming as any other training ..IMO

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:17:03 GMT

Muscles get tired with stress, to much fatigue , too much stress on the arms. Of course it is engaged as nearly every muscle in the body is engaged when we swim. That is the reason my tricep has definition when I am in condition. I know if you are in condition and you use good technique the tricep will not be fatiqued. If you put too much strain on it and it feels fatigued you are doing it incorrectly. The finger test of the right hand on the left had has no relation to swimming. The hand pressure on water cannot be compared to finger pressure on hand. If it did we would not have to swim we could just press our fingers on the opposite hand. I think the whole link of Lezak is good but I am not into the fitness exercises at all. My pull phase is not a pull phase it is a levered action from my the back. I don't pull I press.

RE: Tricep fatigue

ViveBene — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 09:32:39 GMT

My pull phase is not a pull phase it is a levered action from my back. I don't pull I press. Something for me to try - thanks. Regards, VB

RE: Tricep fatigue

pwolf66 — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:10:25 GMT

No one has to buy it. Just try it if your elbow is pointing in the right direction no pain. If it is in the wrong place the tricep is under great stress. If you are concerned about tricep fatigue, work on all of your muscles groups www.bodybuilding.com/.../jasonlezak1.htm George, you seem to be reading a lot more than what I type. I never said 'great stress' and I am talking about the start of the pull, NOT the recovery. Take a good look at his arm in this photo. The triceps is engaged as he starts his pull. Mechanically there is NO way for it not to be. Am I saying it is at maximum contraction? No, but it is being engaged. There's no way it can't be. www.bodybuilding.com/.../jlezak1c.jpg Paul

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:39:45 GMT

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:02:08 GMT

You are using wrong technique if you feel it in your triceps. You are using too much force, pushing with the left hand on the the fingers of the left. Are you sure your elbow is pointed at 90 degrees from the body??? Wrong technique? Hmm...okay. Sorry George, I'm not buying what you are selling.

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:39:50 GMT

You are using wrong technique if you feel it in your triceps. You are using too much force, pushing with the left hand on the the fingers of the right hand. Are you sure your elbow is pointed at 90 degrees from the body???

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:22:52 GMT

But if a person has not used their triceps like their other muscle groups, then swimming with a "finished" stroke will cause great fatigue, technique or not. The triceps are normally the least exercised muscles unless a person is a swimmer. I mean, how many people use their triceps every single day? Of course you are having fatigue; you are taxing them as you build them!! I think it is normal. donna

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:14:23 GMT

The lats need to do the pulling, but the triceps aid in maintaining a high elbow pull and become even more important when you begin to finish your stroke. That is true..However, the lats are much larger muscles than the tris..If you can get them to do most of the work with proper form...endurance will be greater with less fatigue on the triceps..which will fatigue sooner..simply because they are smaller...transfering work to the largest muscles makes sense since they are stonger and will endure longer...pulling engages lats,lower and middle traps,primarily...

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:58:22 GMT

I hear what George is saying...The lats should engage more than the tris..He said that the back would get sore after a long swim..that is what should happen.. The tris would get sore and fatigued more from improper form(assuming that they were well toned and strong) form is everything in any type of exercise.. Is that right George? The lats need to do the pulling, but the triceps aid in maintaining a high elbow pull and become even more important when you begin to finish your stroke.

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:34:25 GMT

That is how I feel Tactics - improper technique in the crawl is a great problem for many. I always swam with technique and felt the arms were relaxed but engaged. I hear what George is saying...The lats should engage more than the tris..He said that the back would get sore after a long swim..that is what should happen.. The tris would get sore and fatigued more from improper form(assuming that they were well toned and strong) form is everything in any type of exercise.. Is that right George?

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:24:56 GMT

I don't know how you can make a proper catch and maintain a vertical forearm without using the muscles in your arms. I hear what George is saying...The lats should engage more than the tris..He said that the back would get sore after a long swim..that is what should happen.. The tris would get sore and fatigued more from improper form(assuming that they were well toned and strong) form is everything in any type of exercise.. Is that right George?

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:22:34 GMT

I have only had a tricep cramp once and it was from swimming in cold water. That was after swimming a 15 mile cold water race on Sat afternoon and another 10 mile race on the following Tuesday. My legs were more into the fatigue feelings not the arms.

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:05:59 GMT

I don't know how you can make a proper catch and maintain a vertical forearm without using the muscles in your arms.

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:52:45 GMT

Is it possible you are using the arm muscles to swim when you should use the larger muscle groups.

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:38:43 GMT

I never had sore triceps ever, back muscles yes but only after swimming a long race. I always protected the triceps, kept them covered when in a car I did not allow drafts to hit the arms. Guys would come up and try to hit your arms. I would not let anyone touch them.

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:20:59 GMT

OH I FEEL YOUR PAIN:agree:. I started back on Sept 7th. I cannot get over how much my triceps, deltoids and lats feel. I have had to pop some Ibprophen and grin and bare it. I just laugh as I complain at work. I have lifted weights over the last 3 years so was very surprised that this is how I felt. I just keep swimming through it. I have also gone for massages which have helped I mean helped immensly. I am finding that it is much better ( though I feel everything when I swim) I think like scyfreestyler said it will get better. Good luck it really does hurt. I just wanted you to know you are not alone Katie

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:09:13 GMT

Only a month into it after an 18 year hiatus? I would say with absolute certainty that this is something that will pass with time. After swimming for three years now, I still get sore triceps and lats after a difficult workout. Using myself as an example it seems entirely logical that your body is still adapting to the stresses being placed upon it. Do make sure that you are getting in an adequate cool off in the way of some easy 50's or 25's..whatever suits you.

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:59:25 GMT

Maybe build your sets, starting them out more slowly, so you don't peak too early? That way you can use the earlier repeats to get back into form, and then really push the final 2-3 swims.

RE: Tricep fatigue

pwolf66 — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:47:53 GMT

That is true..However, the lats are much larger muscles than the tris..If you can get them to do most of the work with proper form...endurance will be greater with less fatigue on the triceps..which will fatigue sooner..simply because they are smaller...transfering work to the largest muscles makes sense since they are stonger and will endure longer...pulling engages lats,lower and middle traps,primarily... Actually, try this little test, put your right arm in position like you were just about to start a stroke then take you left hand and pull slightly backwards on your fingers of your right hand, what muscles engage to keep your right hand in position? Yep, that's right, the triceps. And if the triceps engage, you can be sure the rear delts are also engaging. The more I think about this the more I think it is because I am swimming with longer, stronger strokes and not all the muscles involved have kept up. I think my triceps are just behind my lats and RC muscles. I'm gonna give it another week and see what happens. Paul

RE: Tricep fatigue

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:49:50 GMT

Hi Paul.. I was back in the water a week ahead of you on Sept 8...3 weeks in I also had sore triceps,delts,upper traps,and middle traps..and I had been weight training for a year prior to that...My take is you are not resting the muscle and/or body enough..those back to back workouts Mon/Tues are getting to you after a month.. Of course, some of the shoulder issues could be bio-mechanical..Rotator cuff exs and other isolated exs could help.. What do you think? Edit: agree with Blackbeard...I stretch everything..before and after every workout of any kind..

RE: Tricep fatigue

pwolf66 — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:41:34 GMT

I never had sore triceps ever, back muscles yes but only after swimming a long race. It's not soreness that is the problem, it is fatigue during the workout. There might be some slight lactic acid buildup causing a sensation of heaviness post-workout but not soreness per se. Paul

RE: Tricep fatigue

pwolf66 — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:29:07 GMT

Thanks for all the comments!!! I think that I just am guilty of high expectations. I have minimal to no soreness post workout and am slowly building up my stamina so that's a good thing. Actually, since I have started swimming I have taken 800mg of Ibuprofin ONCE and that was for a headache :wiggle:. It's just that this fatigue in my tris is really starting to annoy me and the worst part is that it seems to only really hit me on crawls. So maybe I need to lower the crawls and ramp up the other 2 strokes......um 3 strokes (ok, ok, yes Evilstroke IS a stroke too). On a good note, I am starting to rekindle my love of Fly. I thought that had been dead and buried :cane:. Hmmm, maybe next time 20x25 Fly on the 1:00? Um, maybe not yet :shakeshead:. Keep on stroking. Paul

RE: Tricep fatigue

Muppet — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:40:00 GMT

Paul, I think the weight work may exacerbate your fatigue problem right now, but could be useful in the long term. Are you stretching your arms out at all? You will hear different from other folks, but I am of the "stretch before and after your workouts" school. You can do a bunch free-standing, and there are some you can do against a wall or something. Are you also cramping up elsewhere? You may need to better hydrate yourself. If you're already contributing to the drought, eat a small snack of pretzels (or something slightly salty) in the afternoon to help absorb the water. I'm swimming 2x/wk right now and having similar issues. Now I am swimming with mostly arms and *no* legs, but can certainly relate to that pain.