I searched for this subject in prior threads, but couldn't find specific answers. With Nationals just a few weeks away, I'm hoping responses posted here will be helpful for others as well. My question is, when do you stop lifting as part of your taper? Way back in college, I used to stop weights a full three weeks before big meets (competed in sprint free/fly). I'm still only competing in spring free and fly. I don't know if I should -
keep lifting longer because yardage is way down compared to college
stop lifting sooner because my 40-year-old body takes longer to recover
or somewhere in the middleI certainly would appreciate it if folks would respond with your age-group, best events, and when you taper off weights. And if you competed in your youth/college, how does your current taper compare to then?
Thanks!
I'm sure Jazz would want to jump all over any statement about "muscle memory," but there is no question that you lose the ability to hoist heavy objects during taper. Actually, even 1 week away from lifting is sufficient to do that, in my experience.
The question is really whether it affects your swimming performance. Doing weights takes a lot out of me in the pool, so even as I lose my ability to do bench presses etc, I can still get faster and more powerful. Others' mileage may differ, of course.
I would jump all over it, but you covered exactly what I was going to say. Looking forward to meeting you at nationals next month, by the way.
I'm sure Jazz would want to jump all over any statement about "muscle memory," but there is no question that you lose the ability to hoist heavy objects during taper. Actually, even 1 week away from lifting is sufficient to do that, in my experience.
The question is really whether it affects your swimming performance. Doing weights takes a lot out of me in the pool, so even as I lose my ability to do bench presses etc, I can still get faster and more powerful. Others' mileage may differ, of course.
I would jump all over it, but you covered exactly what I was going to say. Looking forward to meeting you at nationals next month, by the way.
