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?
First,are you doing any weight work that duplicates the stroke pull motion? If not,that's is a good place to start. Sprints will improve your strength and your anaerobic energy systems,so if you want to sprint in meets you need to do sprints 2-3 days/wk(and not just at the end of workout,but as your main set when fresh.)
I think Allen has a good start for you, with a stretch cord you can easily work on half pulls for your catch and then full pulls for your stroke. When doing them be sure you don't perform them with a dropped elbow. These not only help to build functional strength but also help you get the feeling of what good strokes are like.
As for pull bouys or paddles, anything you do like this will alter your stroke. Will they be permanent? Will they cause later problems, that is something you'll have to determine on your own.
But there is no doubt that real no kidding sprinting in practice with huge rest so you can nail the swims will help you generate big power. In my experience this sort of thing is rare in a masters practice or with masters swimmers.
If you think you tend to overkick those sets then you can put an elastic or rubber band around your ankles and give it a go as well. Short fast intervals would do the best at building power.
First,are you doing any weight work that duplicates the stroke pull motion? If not,that's is a good place to start. Sprints will improve your strength and your anaerobic energy systems,so if you want to sprint in meets you need to do sprints 2-3 days/wk(and not just at the end of workout,but as your main set when fresh.)
I think Allen has a good start for you, with a stretch cord you can easily work on half pulls for your catch and then full pulls for your stroke. When doing them be sure you don't perform them with a dropped elbow. These not only help to build functional strength but also help you get the feeling of what good strokes are like.
As for pull bouys or paddles, anything you do like this will alter your stroke. Will they be permanent? Will they cause later problems, that is something you'll have to determine on your own.
But there is no doubt that real no kidding sprinting in practice with huge rest so you can nail the swims will help you generate big power. In my experience this sort of thing is rare in a masters practice or with masters swimmers.
If you think you tend to overkick those sets then you can put an elastic or rubber band around your ankles and give it a go as well. Short fast intervals would do the best at building power.
