How to get stronger

I rotate through muscle groups to where I hit each group roughly once every 12-13 days. If you're able to lift heavy enough, you can stress the muscle and come back stronger even with the extra days off. My two cents. :bouncing: This is very interesting, as the lifter I was getting inspiration from said something similar- that you don't have to do every exercise every time, but make it count when you go to the gym by pushing harder. I guess there's some judgement on whether you "stress the muscle" through higher reps or higher resistance, depending on how far out you are from your focus event.

Big hint: get stronger. It's almost like cheating. Jazz, you crack me up. Months ago you were upset and defensive because everyone was telling you how to train, and you wanted to do your own thing. Kristina is enjoying her training and is getting results. I am sure the fact that she enjoys it is a big reason WHY she is getting results...just the same as you.

:lmao: Look @ what Auburn gals are doing for a relevant comparison? Paul, I think I see what you are saying. Is what you are saying - see how strong - and consequently fast- Auburn gals are? So true. However, comparing myself to U of A or Auburn gals or gals who final at Trials seems completely irrelevant. I will never be there. It's also a heck of a stretch to compare myself to gals who just make the OT cuts - although it's not as large of a leap as the first example. I think I'll check out what they are doing in Tipperary prior to sailing over to Never Never Land. Fort, I'm enjoying myself in the weight room. I need not worry about weight room burnout. Or injuring myself there. Ever. Or moose - well, except for when I'm in a fastskin at which point I am often mistaken for one. :D Actually what I'm saying based on your earlier question/statement about not being sold on the whole "strength = faster" correlation is that comparing yourself to teen OT qualifiers vs. mature collegiate swimmers is not a fair comparison...and I use a couple of excellent collegiate women's programs as models for what someone who may be looking to learn more about innovative training methods might find of value. Don't get me wrong, not trying to lecture you here so if your content with what your doing more power to you. For me even as a dinosaur i enjoy studying up on what other sports like track, cycling, etc. are doing as well as successful swim programs...its a losing battle each year as things continue to fall apart but I'm always hoping to learn/try new things and still get faster in spite of joining AARP soon!

Fort, I'm enjoying myself in the weight room. I need not worry about weight room burnout. Or injuring myself there. Ever. Or moose - well, except for when I'm in a fastskin at which point I am often mistaken for one. :D You don't look like a Moose in that glamor shot! When are they going to come out with a custom color LZR for you? You've obviously rocketed to the top by training with a USS team. So it's hard to argue with that. There are other routes to the top though, including Jazz's. It seems to me that most women skimp on this easy "cheating" way of improving and continue to do the "medium speed" stuff. Seems like increased lifting would be a surefire way to have a breakthrough for many, including maybe me. Of course, no one wants to be a Moose because we are too vain and and/or desire some femininity ... So how much can you lift without becoming the Hulk?

Fort, it's an unfortunate fact that men swim faster than women, and really fast women tend to kind of look like men. If you really want to be a beast in the water, femininity might suffer. OK, JH, I've kinda let you off the hook for a while now but are you smokin' da crack? I think today's elite women, from the US anyway, are a great looking bunch of women, and not the least bit masculine in appearance.

Fort, it's an unfortunate fact that men swim faster than women, and really fast women tend to kind of look like men. If you really want to be a beast in the water, femininity might suffer. Jazz, I love you like a brother but oh man, I have to jump on you for this one too. This is such a RIDICULOUS stereo type that muscular women are not feminine. I'm sorry, unless a female pump yourself up to HUGE proportions (of which, MAYBE .05% of females have the genetic potential to do), then I'm sorry, a female is still feminine in my book. But this is part of the problem with the thought of women doing any serious strength training. 'I'll look masculine' nope, sorry, what you'll look like is a very fit and muscular woman. Which is dang sexy. Paul

I don't advocate doing whatever we feel like just because it feels good. Enjoyment is necessary for an optimal training plan, but it's not sufficient. I think strength training is crucial for swimmers to do their best. I thought that when everyone said I was going to have a heart attack, and I still think that when I tell other people to try it now. I agree that enjoyment is not sufficient to swim fast and improve, but: -- Strength training comes in many forms. It can even happen outside of the gym and in the swimming pool. -- (S)he is swimming faster than she has recently, so it is clear that she isn't just splashing around in the pool. There is more than one good way to train and more than one definition of success in masters swimming. That is why I defended your right to train as you wish, despite the fact that it is clear (to me) to be useful mostly for 50s. (S)he is swimming many events with fast times so if I had to judge strictly by those results I would stop lifting and start swimming 7000+ yard workouts with the kids.

Fort, it's an unfortunate fact that men swim faster than women, and really fast women tend to kind of look like men. If you really want to be a beast in the water, femininity might suffer. (S)he-Beast is a beast without looking remotedly beast-like or moose-like. Muscular is fine. Think I'm already there. But beast-like?! Hard to believe that lifting 2x a week would make you beast like.

Let's get off this 'beast-like' and 'moose-like' thought patterns here. Without drug assistance MAYBE 1 in 10,000 women have the genetic POTENTIAL for extreme muscularity. With drug assistance that might go to 1 in 1000. No, I'm not quoting scientic fact but with all that I have read and my personal experiences, it is just MUCH more difficult for a women to acheive a high degree of muscle mass. The testosterone supplies just are not there to support that level of muscle building. Don't focus on the 1 in 10000 that do display that level of muscle mass. Trust me, working out 3 days a week using free weights is not going to get you huge bulging muscles. Paul

Wait a second. I think Hulk called me a girl! Nope, you're still puny so you're safe. Paul