Hey there
i realise that this is a predominantly american board and that as an englishman i may not be welcome. however that shouldnt matter, the only thing that does is we all share a passion for swimming.
i've been at it since i was 5, i got to national level and even made it on to the loughborough university team (where most of our olympic swimmers are based), though it was short lived due to time constraints. it was either swim, or get a 1st class degree in engineering (from what is one of the UK's top engineering universities). i chose the latter.
however, i havent given up on swimming.... i merely switched to a different level/form.... speed life saving. we, at loughborough, are one of the best speeds teams in the UK, however after recently going to the world champs in berlin, its clear that despite us being top in the UK, we barely make a splash on the world stage. As the next world champs are based in Newquay UK in 2010...this must change.
reading around here, you guys are very good, very fast... looking at some of the gym and swim sessions posted by JMiller, they look like they'd be very useful for speed lifesaving, a sport mostly dominated by 1) freestyle and 2) butterfly/dolphin leg kick and 3) short, sprinty events.
i think this place can help me raise my game for 2010 and i would be grateful for any help and advice you guys can give. after all america has kicked ass in the pool for years, especially kicking our asses....so why not learn from the guys who are clearly the best.
i am seeking to improve my power in the water, so i can sprint harder. also improve power in my legs so i can actually use the rescue fins that our sport demands (Sebak or Leader fins made from composite materials, much more hi-tech than standard fins and not at all like scuba fins). for that the sprint sets i have found here look useful, but i would like guidance on gym work.
sorry for the long post!!!
Alex
p.s. if anyone would like some explanation of the speed lifesaving events... please ask and i will be happy to explain. we do get looked down upon by normal swimmers, but having been to a few european and world events i can tell you the athletes are no less impressive and after having got a normal swimmer to do one of our events he quickly changed his mind after coming dead last to guys who would never ever make it onto a team such as loughborough.
Parents
Former Member
i am not sure about the sport your competing in (something like speed lifeguarding?), but to build power, i suggest both dryland and water power exercises.
dryland exercises: dryland swimming- cable weight machine with straight bar. extend arms fully and grab bar shoulders width apart. mimic your catch and power phase of your stroke. use weight that causes fatigue after about 15 reps.
medicine ball throws- medicine ball, shoes, open area. hold the medicine ball out from your body. arm bent at the elbow around 90 degrees with your hand beneath the ball. quickly throw the ball down at the ground, while rotating your body. this should feel it in your arms and abs.
left lift kicks- ankle weights, and a comfortable floor. attach the weights to your ankle. lay flat on on your back with legs 6 inches of the ground arms to your side or underneath your bum. kick fast, but not out of control for 30 seconds. roll onto your stomach and use the same motion. do a few sets.
i have more, but i am heading out the door.
i am not sure about the sport your competing in (something like speed lifeguarding?), but to build power, i suggest both dryland and water power exercises.
dryland exercises: dryland swimming- cable weight machine with straight bar. extend arms fully and grab bar shoulders width apart. mimic your catch and power phase of your stroke. use weight that causes fatigue after about 15 reps.
medicine ball throws- medicine ball, shoes, open area. hold the medicine ball out from your body. arm bent at the elbow around 90 degrees with your hand beneath the ball. quickly throw the ball down at the ground, while rotating your body. this should feel it in your arms and abs.
left lift kicks- ankle weights, and a comfortable floor. attach the weights to your ankle. lay flat on on your back with legs 6 inches of the ground arms to your side or underneath your bum. kick fast, but not out of control for 30 seconds. roll onto your stomach and use the same motion. do a few sets.
i have more, but i am heading out the door.
