Hey there. I started doing a particular workout regimen at my local college's gym, which involved quite a bit of swimming. I started noticing that most of the guys on the swim team had the type of build I'm going for- especially in the shoulders, upper back, and chest.
I was thinking of working in some new strokes and was wondering what you guys think leads to this physique- freestyle? butterfly? I know they do a combination, but I imagine you seasoned swimmers out there must know which are the best for these muscle groups.
Thoughts?
Anyone have any answer to this?
"Alright, and now for the more subjective question- since I don't want to be working out five days a week, how often will usually build/maintain a swimmer's physique, would you say, if you're already fairly close? Once a week hardcore? Twice at normal intensity? Three times?"
I don't know the answer to your second question. I now swim 5-6 times a week, pretty intense, in the 4000-4500 range. I don't believe that caused my build to change substantially from when I was doing 3-4 times/week at 3000 per workout. Any change that did occur I attribute to the fact that I also started lifting weights again. (Alas, something had to give, which was cycling.)
The answer to your first question (best stroke to stay in shape) is butterfly, no question in my mind. Take any set and do it all fly and the difficulty level multiplies.
Watch out for your shoulders, though. And once fatigue causes your fly to fall apart, you need to switch to another stroke. (Don't practice bad habits.) Get a coach to watch your stroke mechanics.
Anyone have any answer to this?
"Alright, and now for the more subjective question- since I don't want to be working out five days a week, how often will usually build/maintain a swimmer's physique, would you say, if you're already fairly close? Once a week hardcore? Twice at normal intensity? Three times?"
I don't know the answer to your second question. I now swim 5-6 times a week, pretty intense, in the 4000-4500 range. I don't believe that caused my build to change substantially from when I was doing 3-4 times/week at 3000 per workout. Any change that did occur I attribute to the fact that I also started lifting weights again. (Alas, something had to give, which was cycling.)
The answer to your first question (best stroke to stay in shape) is butterfly, no question in my mind. Take any set and do it all fly and the difficulty level multiplies.
Watch out for your shoulders, though. And once fatigue causes your fly to fall apart, you need to switch to another stroke. (Don't practice bad habits.) Get a coach to watch your stroke mechanics.
