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?
Parents
Former Member
This is interesting... It seems that at least butterfly can be put in cruise control, with the right body position you can "roll" to a decent time, at least on a 50. But the breastroke (for me) saps so much energy to do a decent 50-100, I need way more rest after. Maybe I'm still not swimming the breastroke properly, and so I'm just wasting energy without reaching the desired result... Is it possible that my 7-foot arm span just won't be conducive to a good breastroke? Does anyone know of a good breastroker with really long arms? Is there under-water video of this?
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).
This is interesting... It seems that at least butterfly can be put in cruise control, with the right body position you can "roll" to a decent time, at least on a 50. But the breastroke (for me) saps so much energy to do a decent 50-100, I need way more rest after. Maybe I'm still not swimming the breastroke properly, and so I'm just wasting energy without reaching the desired result... Is it possible that my 7-foot arm span just won't be conducive to a good breastroke? Does anyone know of a good breastroker with really long arms? Is there under-water video of this?
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).
