Swam in college and currently swim masters. I prefer the sprints. I have a very strong kick but don't feel I have the upper body strength of a female swimmer. I hit the weight room and as long as I am consistent, can get very strong out of the water. The only problem is that the out-of-water strength does not necessarily translate into power/strength in the water.
Would a pull buoy help me to have more power in the water? I am concerned that I am too dependent on my kick for my speed. My only concerns are that I don't want the pull buoy to mess up my rotation on freestyle. Also, I have never had any shoulder issues and am hoping to keep it that way.
Any suggestions on how I can improve my upper body strength in the pool?
Parents
Former Member
I do not know whether you want to be a better sprinter or distance swimmer. Pull buoys might help but be careful with paddles. I tried them and stopped because I was really worried about the extra strain on my shoulders. And I love pull sets just using a buoy. (unlike you, I have no kick at all) You can still get great rotation using a buoy, especially if you use tri-lateral breathing.
To see if paddles are your thing, get smaller ones first and only use them for 500 meters or so for the first few weeks and then gradually increase their use until you can do a whole set with them.
Another thing to do are simple wide pushups. Put a chair on either side of you so that both are facing each other inward. Put your hands on the outer part of the chairs and go low so that your chest goes below your hands. Build up to three sets of 10 with about a minute rest between each rep. Do this four days a week. This will keep you flexible and strong.
Rob
Just take it easy and increase the workload gradually.
I do not know whether you want to be a better sprinter or distance swimmer. Pull buoys might help but be careful with paddles. I tried them and stopped because I was really worried about the extra strain on my shoulders. And I love pull sets just using a buoy. (unlike you, I have no kick at all) You can still get great rotation using a buoy, especially if you use tri-lateral breathing.
To see if paddles are your thing, get smaller ones first and only use them for 500 meters or so for the first few weeks and then gradually increase their use until you can do a whole set with them.
Another thing to do are simple wide pushups. Put a chair on either side of you so that both are facing each other inward. Put your hands on the outer part of the chairs and go low so that your chest goes below your hands. Build up to three sets of 10 with about a minute rest between each rep. Do this four days a week. This will keep you flexible and strong.
Rob
Just take it easy and increase the workload gradually.
