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?
My coach says *** takes more muscles into action. Fly its just that some of the smallest muscles in your shoulders and arms are having to life such huge loads for there sizes, hence the tired feeling.
Breaststroke gives a good workout for many muscle groups. And often the most muscular swimmers I see turn out to be breaststrokers.
It is true that the smaller muscles can limit one's ability to do butterfly for lengthy periods. BUT once those are trained, then it is a great stroke for workouts.
My knees cannot handle breaststroke workouts, but of the other strokes, my experience matches Jennifer's: butterfly gives the best cardiovascular workout. And it also involves many muscle groups, not just the small ones!
However, it is the most challenging stroke to master and to swim for longer distances; breaststroke may be better for beginners. But I think it is also easier to loaf in breaststroke, while there is no such thing as truly "easy" fly (at least not for me anymore).
My coach says *** takes more muscles into action. Fly its just that some of the smallest muscles in your shoulders and arms are having to life such huge loads for there sizes, hence the tired feeling.
Breaststroke gives a good workout for many muscle groups. And often the most muscular swimmers I see turn out to be breaststrokers.
It is true that the smaller muscles can limit one's ability to do butterfly for lengthy periods. BUT once those are trained, then it is a great stroke for workouts.
My knees cannot handle breaststroke workouts, but of the other strokes, my experience matches Jennifer's: butterfly gives the best cardiovascular workout. And it also involves many muscle groups, not just the small ones!
However, it is the most challenging stroke to master and to swim for longer distances; breaststroke may be better for beginners. But I think it is also easier to loaf in breaststroke, while there is no such thing as truly "easy" fly (at least not for me anymore).
