How to get stronger

RE: How to get stronger

Former Member — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:36:20 GMT

Note that being hungry after a workout doesn't mean your energy expenditure matches your hunger levels. (So if you're hungry enough to eat 2 hamburgers after a workout, it doesn't mean you burned 2 hamburgers worth of calories...) I saw in a recent interview that Brendan Hansen uses PX90 muscle confusion principles for his dryland routine, but I don't know anything about the program.

RE: How to get stronger

Former Member — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:29:34 GMT

Do you know this site: www.crossfit.com ? Most of the guys (not sure about the gals) seem to put on weight and drink a ton of milk while trying to eat Paleo (birdseed, rocks, unwoven flax, that sort of thing). So yes, I think lifting could make you ravenous. Yep. One of the guys (holds a masters world record or two) I knew referred me to crossfit - it works. But, I was totally scared off. I'm being serious. Lifting tires. . . perhaps in the future. For now, I'll pass.

RE: How to get stronger

Former Member — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:19:51 GMT

Does lifting make one hungry? I seem to be going through an especially ravenous period. Yes! And as you know, if and when I lift, I don't even sweat. I notice I'm more hungry. I thought it was b/c your metabolism (resting and otherwise) increases due to increased muscle. She-Moose

RE: How to get stronger

Former Member — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:02:50 GMT

Argh! I strained my shoulder some, I think from a lift I was doing. It was a press with 25 lb. dumbbells on an incline bench. I can't press/push anything with the arms anymore. :shakeshead: I can do the iso row at 160 lb, but can't press a thing ... I assume this is somewhat common in swimmers? My question is, is this something that should be corrected? Should I do more integrated exercises? Just enough to reverse a muscle imbalance? Asked a teammate at practice tonight about this. He said knock off that specific exercise and be mellow on the weights for awhile. He also said he only does enough pushing exercises to prevent moobs. Thoughts? Sorry you strained your shoulder a bit. Stinky. You know my limited weight lifting experience so I can't give any good advice. But - woa! 25lb on incline!? Impressive. I've not gone over 20lb dumbbells. Neither have the gals on the SR I team either. Moobs. :rofl:

RE: How to get stronger

Former Member — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:57:58 GMT

Does lifting make one hungry? I seem to be going through an especially ravenous period. I think it does. If you're adding muscle, that extra energy has to come from somewhere.

RE: How to get stronger

ViveBene — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:01:30 GMT

Do you know this site: www.crossfit.com ? Most of the guys (not sure about the gals) seem to put on weight and drink a ton of milk while trying to eat Paleo (birdseed, rocks, unwoven flax, that sort of thing). So yes, I think lifting could make you ravenous. Does lifting make one hungry? I seem to be going through an especially ravenous period.

RE: How to get stronger

The Fortress — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:19:12 GMT

Sorry you strained your shoulder a bit. Stinky. You know my limited weight lifting experience so I can't give any good advice. But - woa! 25lb on incline!? Impressive. I've not gone over 20lb dumbbells. Neither have the gals on the SR I team either. Moobs. :rofl: I'm eliminating and then reducing that exercise. Saw my ART doc today. No damage, just strained. He says that, overall, my shoulder seems to be more stable from the lifting. But he DID agree that I have more muscle mass and definition since Nats. It's noticeable, as I've only been in twice. And I would certainly say that my appearance has changed since I became a masters swimmer. (Although, unlike Dara, I have plenty of body fat.) I won't go so far as to say I'm a tank, or that will bring Clydesdale out of the closet speedy quick. But you know what I mean, Ms. Moose-Beast! Does lifting make one hungry? I seem to be going through an especially ravenous period.

RE: How to get stronger

The Fortress — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:23:50 GMT

RE: How to get stronger

Former Member — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:10:44 GMT

Is it a good idea to go for an easy swim after lifting weights? I've heard conflicting thoughts on this. It's fine.

RE: How to get stronger

The Fortress — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:03:41 GMT

Is it a good idea to go for an easy swim after lifting weights? I've heard conflicting thoughts on this.

RE: How to get stronger

tjrpatt — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:31:32 GMT

I prefer to lift than swim because you can cool down after sweating. I don't get swimming than lifting. You will have to shower after you lift, I have to.

RE: How to get stronger

Chris Stevenson — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:25:11 GMT

Gabe Mirkin, MD, wrote "How to become strong." Basic conclusion: to increase strength, it is better to do one set of 10 reps with more weight compared to 3 sets of 10 reps. The article ends with a line that should appeal to masters swimmers: "When it comes to becoming very strong, less may be more." (I should probably comment that -- in the main -- I myself don't typically follow this advice, but then again I am usually more interested in muscular endurance compared to raw strength. But I do have a phase in my month-long lifting "cycle" where I do more weights and lower reps.)

RE: How to get stronger

pwolf66 — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:02:35 GMT

Thanks guys! 50 back went well. I even ran to the gym to squeeze in a lift today before I take my new muscles on vacation. :rofl: :whiteflag: Well? WELL? I would call 31.71 a LITTLE better than 'well'. :weightlifter: :weightlifter: :weightlifter: :weightlifter:

RE: How to get stronger

The Fortress — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 06:17:07 GMT

Congratulations Leslie on the amazingly fast swims! :cheerleader:You've worked hard! Best of luck to you tomorrow and please keep us all posted with how you do. Thanks guys! 50 back went well. I even ran to the gym to squeeze in a lift today before I take my new muscles on vacation. :rofl: :whiteflag:

RE: How to get stronger

Former Member — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:01:39 GMT

Like a trip to the proctologist! :help: I support whatever you prefer! There's no shame in old school, new school, or back door approaches.

RE: How to get stronger

Former Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:08:34 GMT

I find this discussion about being broken down very interesting. Like several others on these forums, I have been working very hard in the pool and weight room since I returned home from SC Nationals, where I swam well. I increased my swimming workouts from 3 to 4 per week, and recently started attending the early morning workouts (which are long course). For the last couple of weeks I have been completely worn out and unable to keep the usual pace in the pool. It seems like I am paying for all of that hard work - at least I hope that is what is happening.

RE: How to get stronger

Former Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:41:34 GMT

Well said Laura. I'm in total agreement. Congratulations Leslie on the amazingly fast swims! :cheerleader:You've worked hard! Best of luck to you tomorrow and please keep us all posted with how you do. To say that a woman will get tank like if she lifts is ridiculous! Muscle takes three times the energy to maintain than does fat. Thus, to keep your metabolism up, create muscle! Aerobic training is a quick fix for calorie burning....but a few hours after activity, you go back to your resting metabolic rate. If you have more muscle, your resting rate is highter, and your burning more calories. This hardly equates to Tankhood. Also, if you're an older woman (or man) and swimming is your only activity, osteoporis is a concern because although our sport is phenomenal for general health...it is not weight bearing, so your not taxing your bones and encouraging them to stay dense. Weight training counters this. I'm a middle-aged woman with fat tendencies. Trust me; there is no way I'm going to throw myself into an activity (other than the local Chinese buffet on occassion) that is going to make me bigger. I have NEVER seen a woman become bulky from lifting. EVER. For a woman to become "masculine" by weight training, there's a concentrated effort on her part of changing diet, taking various 'supplements' and having a solid focus on becoming "huge". On the level you seem to be talking about here (having weights compliment your swimming by lifting a few times a week) there is nothing at all to worry about. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. And Leslie....I've seen you. You are gorgeous!

RE: How to get stronger

Paul Smith — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:53:27 GMT

We don't all go to Nats every season! Fort, this is a great point and one that I should be more detailed in my posts when discussing. It doesn't have to be nationals, it can be a regional or a small local meet...the more important point is that its good to cycle your training. How often do you see fitness swimmers getting in the pool and swimming their 40 laps for example? Or masters swimmers who train hard year around but never vary their routine by either resting or taking 2 one week breaks a year? Periodization will improve anyones overall fitness level regardless of what if any actual event they want to train for. Tom, I don't see any real gains in kicking "power" from these types of lifts...definitely fa better off the blocks and walls and overall strength. I believe that if you want a more powerful kick it comes from doing lots of hard kicking....adding in things like wearing sneakers, kicking using a bungee, fin work, etc. etc.

RE: How to get stronger

Former Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:46:51 GMT

Side note: to get into one of those new $#@($*^$ Speedo Laser Pros, you do need incredible arm strength. One more reason to lift!

RE: How to get stronger

pwolf66 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:46:23 GMT

OK, so before Hulk squeals on me, I'll just say that you lifters are probably right. I'm "man" enough to admit when I'm wrong. I just dropped significant time for PBs today at my meet with only 4-5 weeks lifting, a few days rest and no caffeine IV or long nails. lol It ain't all the suit. Definitely strength gains. Hulk watched my 100 back and said my turnover was slower, but that I was more powerful. So, it's clear that more strength is a key path to improvement for me. We'll see if I can overcome my dislike of it. Glad you outed yourself there, Fort. I really wish I had video'd your swim. I think that would have really shown you how much stronger your pull is now. I think that if you combine that with a slightly higher turnover, you will see even more improvement. Good luck with the 50 back tomorrow. I expect to see low 33. Spliting 34.29 to the feet should prove to you that you can do it. On a side note: I attempted to bribe the IGLA officials to redact my 100 back swim from the results but no luck. So if you want to see a death of epic proportions keep an eye out. It was REALLY bad.:frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated:

RE: How to get stronger

Former Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:43:50 GMT

To say that a woman will get tank like if she lifts is ridiculous! Muscle takes three times the energy to maintain than does fat. Thus, to keep your metabolism up, create muscle! Aerobic training is a quick fix for calorie burning....but a few hours after activity, you go back to your resting metabolic rate. If you have more muscle, your resting rate is highter, and your burning more calories. This hardly equates to Tankhood. Also, if you're an older woman (or man) and swimming is your only activity, osteoporis is a concern because although our sport is phenomenal for general health...it is not weight bearing, so your not taxing your bones and encouraging them to stay dense. Weight training counters this. I'm a middle-aged woman with fat tendencies. Trust me; there is no way I'm going to throw myself into an activity (other than the local Chinese buffet on occassion) that is going to make me bigger. I have NEVER seen a woman become bulky from lifting. EVER. For a woman to become "masculine" by weight training, there's a concentrated effort on her part of changing diet, taking various 'supplements' and having a solid focus on becoming "huge". On the level you seem to be talking about here (having weights compliment your swimming by lifting a few times a week) there is nothing at all to worry about. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. And Leslie....I've seen you. You are gorgeous!

RE: How to get stronger

Former Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:00:46 GMT

This is a bit off the recent thread emphasis, but I wanted to float the idea nonetheless. While I'm rehabbing my shoulder, I'm doing a ton of kicking in the pool, which has kept up my feel for the water quite well. However, I've noted that the leg work I've done in the gym (squats, deadlifts, etc) do almost nothing for my kick. I'm sure there are other benefits (starts, breakouts...) but it would seem that strengthening the kick is not one of them. The drill that's improved my kick power the most has been vertical kicking with a 6 lb. medicine ball.

RE: How to get stronger

The Fortress — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:26:04 GMT

Fort, this is a great point and one that I should be more detailed in my posts when discussing. It doesn't have to be nationals, it can be a regional or a small local meet...the more important point is that its good to cycle your training. How often do you see fitness swimmers getting in the pool and swimming their 40 laps for example? Or masters swimmers who train hard year around but never vary their routine by either resting or taking 2 one week breaks a year? Periodization will improve anyones overall fitness level regardless of what if any actual event they want to train for. I do what you are suggesting, but since my meet attendance is limited, I always find myself wondering how to get times in all the courses. To even attempt to get more than a few times, I have to swim pretty fast year round whenever a meet I can attend arises. I'm already gnashing my teeth that the LC season is so short and I can only go to one meet. Plus, the "old fashioned taper" is difficult to achieve when you are besieged with kid stuff. You just can't sit on your butt and rest up. OK, so before Hulk squeals on me, I'll just say that you lifters are probably right. I'm "man" enough to admit when I'm wrong. I just dropped significant time for PBs today at my meet with only 4-5 weeks lifting, a few days rest and no caffeine IV or long nails. lol It ain't all the suit. Definitely strength gains. Hulk watched my 100 back and said my turnover was slower, but that I was more powerful. So, it's clear that more strength is a key path to improvement for me. We'll see if I can overcome my dislike of it.

RE: How to get stronger

Former Member — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:46:12 GMT

:doh::doh::doh: Was that REALLY necessary? The other ladies who PM'd me found it quite amusing. Sorry to say I cannot post their follow up responses.

RE: How to get stronger

Former Member — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:58:34 GMT

I saw it and thought it might be the reaction I get from (S)he the first time we meet in person...with or without said tutu! Swimming completely torn down is no fun..unless you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Yesterday morning after a very painful lactate set I could only muster a 1:06 100 free (LCM)!!! Sam Perry threw down a 1:07 in his backstroke for pete's sake...but I know this, with the pain comes strength when I'm fully rested...and I can wait. Already fantasizing about our first encounter, eh? Knowing that, my response is indeed, :eek: I thought you didn't let yourself get completely torn down.