How to get stronger

This is ridiculous. You know what's making you go from one side of the pool to the other over and over again every day? Your muscles. No matter how you train, or what events you want to do, your muscles are actually making the performances happen. Without muscle, there is no movement at all. With more muscle, there is more strength, more power, and more speed. Men swim faster than women because of muscle. Cheaters take steroids because of muscle. And you're afraid of it? Yes. Last I checked, I am afraid of steroids. And I beat plenty of men with my limited muscle. But you're right. I'm on a quest to get rid of all my muscle! :lolup: My next quest. Just swim the 50 free. Only.

Time to celebrate/brag. Today I got a new personal best in the trap bar deadlift by 20 pounds! Trap bar has always been my best lift, and it's very cool that I'm getting stronger in it even as I lose weight. I'm seeing the difference in the pool, as well.

Great work, Brian. Those are impressive lifts. I like the idea of a trap bar. While doing my deadlifts last Thursday I managed to draw blood from one of my shins, and before I got a band aid from the desk I managed to stain the bar. Fortunately, they've got sanitizer all over the place.

Wow Fort, You made it what? 2 weeks? Way to give it a chance. Geez. :lmao: Paul

I officially quit! I don't want to get stronger. I just want to not look and feel like a tank. Its torture to swim and run when I lift like this. Lifting heavy, for me, is like being married to the wrong person. From now on, I'm all about the core work. The rest of you carry on and I'll read about your exploits! If you really hate it than quit...it is after all just masters. In fairness however trying anything new takes as much mental effort (or more) as it does physical. Based on how terrible your feeling my guess is its showing you just how much room to develop strength/power you have (had). The flip side of swimming thru broken down periods and then fully resting is you'll swim more powerfully then you ever have before...but I emphasize that you have to REALLY rest. You also have to be willing to take more recovery days between hard lifting and swimming sessions...the curse of being OLD!

Wow Fort, You made it what? 2 weeks? Way to give it a chance. Geez. :lmao: Paul 5 weeks. Happiness is more important. My workout time is limited this summer. I don't want to spend it doing stuff I hate. Everyone is different. And certain people will be crushed in the 100 back tomorrow despite their superior strength! I'm going to look into machine pilates instead.

And certain people will be crushed in the 100 back tomorrow despite their superior strength! I'm going front 50 to a hand touch then doing a 'Paul Smith' just slower, I should stilll be able to break our team record of 1:16 tho, I hope. Paul

5 weeks. Happiness is more important. My workout time is limited this summer. I don't want to spend it doing stuff I hate. Everyone is different. And certain people will be crushed in the 100 back tomorrow despite their superior strength! Wanna go my Fly versus your Free again? I think this would be the rubber match. Paul

Wanna go my Fly versus your Free again? I think this would be the rubber match. Paul Don't think I'm swimming the 50 free on Sunday. I'm completely swamped with guests, meets, travel, 3 kids running wild ... :drown: I'll be there Friday and Saturday even though (unlike you) I'm missing my kids' meet and being voted off the mommy island. I'll be adorned in my cheatin' black Pro with a hole since my new suit has not arrived yet.

good luck fort to get faster I need to 1) weigh less 2) get stronger, do heavier weight training sets & 3) swim faster in practice I officially quit! I don't want to get stronger. I just want to not look and feel like a tank. Its torture to swim and run when I lift like this. Lifting heavy, for me, is like being married to the wrong person. From now on, I'm all about the core work. The rest of you carry on and I'll read about your exploits!