Here's my question: Should one intentionally loose muscle mass and weightlifting strength in order to be more streamlined and potentially go faster in the water? How much mass would one have to lose in order to present less resistance in the water?
Maybe on a related note: Let's say a swimmer has a muscular build, and their technique is very good, would they benefit from losing ten lbs. of extra muscle mass and maybe becoming a more streamlined vessel?
Any thoughts? :weightlifter::banana::weightlifter::banana:
Funky Fish,
Why do you ask? are you still powerlifting? If so, I don't think it will complement swimming if you are sacraficing swim workouts to get the lifting in. In my case, my upper body strength has increased since swimming, but leg strength and muscle mass has suffered considerably......the inverse of running track, but right now I am not concerned because times are still coming down.
Lance Armstrong's legs are not that big when compared to a powerlifter, but they where turning out 500 watts for 30 mintues. I don't think a powerlifter can hold 500 watts for 1 minute..... that is if he could get to 500 watts.
I think my point is train the muscles for thier intended purpose and with whatever time/energy is left, incorporate some dryland lifting and let the muscle mass come into its own equilibrium.
Funky Fish,
Why do you ask? are you still powerlifting? If so, I don't think it will complement swimming if you are sacraficing swim workouts to get the lifting in. In my case, my upper body strength has increased since swimming, but leg strength and muscle mass has suffered considerably......the inverse of running track, but right now I am not concerned because times are still coming down.
Lance Armstrong's legs are not that big when compared to a powerlifter, but they where turning out 500 watts for 30 mintues. I don't think a powerlifter can hold 500 watts for 1 minute..... that is if he could get to 500 watts.
I think my point is train the muscles for thier intended purpose and with whatever time/energy is left, incorporate some dryland lifting and let the muscle mass come into its own equilibrium.
