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?
Former Member
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.
yes, but if you are doing fly correctly it does use a significant amount of muscles and unless there are emg studies to quantify what uses more (i'm not saying they're aren't, i just haven't seen them)...I would say fly causes you have improved cardiovascular endurance and thus be in much better shape.
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).
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).
First of all if the OP is an adult, the basic body shape won't change much. Your skeleton is not going to change much if at all.
If you don't have broad shoulders and a small waist already you won't develop that now. I wish I knew a way to get taller than my 5'8 today.
Swimming generally develops shoulders and lats. I think developed lats are the signature feature of swimmer bodies.
I think most people find fly the most difficult to swim for distance. It is tiring because you have to fight gravity to lift your arms out of the water simultaneously. You have to use a lot of power to raise the shoulders high enough for the arms to clear the water.
Breastroke is demanding also - but many people don't swim breaststroke with the same effort they apply to freestyle. Breaststroke is often swum "easy" as a recovery stroke. If you swim it that way it won't do much to develop strength or fitness.
In my experience breaststroke is the only stroke that really works the biceps. The other strokes are triceps intense.
Fly and breaststroke also demand some lower back strength. Dolphin kicking requires good core strength.
Off the cuff and if, as the title says, "....to stay in shape...", I'd say the best stroke would be your worst stroke. Because that's where you would expend the most effort, burn the most calories, get enraged and worked up at yourself and do the most cardio. :bolt:
That makes all strokes can help me get fit, they are all my worst strokes at the moment.
Off the cuff and if, as the title says, "....to stay in shape...", I'd say the best stroke would be your worst stroke. Because that's where you would expend the most effort, burn the most calories, get enraged and worked up at yourself and do the most cardio. :bolt:
