I'm planning on resting for a meet in Feb. As usual, I'm wondering what taper to use, how much to rest, etc. I don't feel like I've really hit on the "one" plan that works for me.
I know everyone has their own approach to taper and may taper for between 1-4 weeks. In every taper plan I've seen, the yardage always drops off gradually. Has anyone ever tried a "drop dead" taper? One where you continue to exercise at your regular level and then, say 7 days before the big meet, you precipitously drop the yardage down to 1500 or so with very little sprinting? Thoughts?
I'm wondering if this type of taper might work for me, as I feel (possibly falsely) like I lose conditioning if I taper too long.
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Anyone have any thoughts on weights for women? I'm inclined to lift a couple more times at lighter weight instead of taking week 1 off entirely. I just feel, with no scientific basis, that women take longer to build muscle and lose it more quickly. Also, it seems like women have less muscle mass (although I'm starting to look like Hulk, I fear) and lift with less intensity/weight than men.
Think toning not building for the taper phase. Doing good form reps with lighter weighs may be OK. Chris uses paddles instead of lifting he said...
I think it'd depend on your taper. When I used to lift, I'd skip a week or two with work or whatever and go back to a body full of glycogen and lift like an animal; the payoff was a really sore body 2 days later!
I'm not a taper expert but you won't lose lots of muscle strength if you're still swimming, getting your sprints in etc. in 3 weeks!
Yes you'll lose some mass but you'll be storing glycogen for the meet! Same as bodybuilders they bulk then cut...can't be building mass and getting ripped at the same moment in time...though steroids have helped this balancing act out...
As with anything, you have to do what will make you feel you're peaking. If you have the luxury; follow the advice of someone and see how it goes, but don't doubt it once you commit. If it works then maybe you can try it again next time, or something different.
I can only go by my LCM Zones performance and Ande's taper plan he gave me. It worked and I had a good meet., but I just trusted in him and the plan and didn't think back...I always like the idea of swimming less and less over a few weeks though. A good excuse to be lazy. I remember feeling ready for a rest for the first 2 weeks and then the last week, with the meet looming, I got mentally prepped and by Saturday I was ready to go. You can only pool advice, you have to find what you can place faith in.
What does Jazzy have to say on it? He's the swim/weight guru...
Anyone have any thoughts on weights for women? I'm inclined to lift a couple more times at lighter weight instead of taking week 1 off entirely. I just feel, with no scientific basis, that women take longer to build muscle and lose it more quickly. Also, it seems like women have less muscle mass (although I'm starting to look like Hulk, I fear) and lift with less intensity/weight than men.
Think toning not building for the taper phase. Doing good form reps with lighter weighs may be OK. Chris uses paddles instead of lifting he said...
I think it'd depend on your taper. When I used to lift, I'd skip a week or two with work or whatever and go back to a body full of glycogen and lift like an animal; the payoff was a really sore body 2 days later!
I'm not a taper expert but you won't lose lots of muscle strength if you're still swimming, getting your sprints in etc. in 3 weeks!
Yes you'll lose some mass but you'll be storing glycogen for the meet! Same as bodybuilders they bulk then cut...can't be building mass and getting ripped at the same moment in time...though steroids have helped this balancing act out...
As with anything, you have to do what will make you feel you're peaking. If you have the luxury; follow the advice of someone and see how it goes, but don't doubt it once you commit. If it works then maybe you can try it again next time, or something different.
I can only go by my LCM Zones performance and Ande's taper plan he gave me. It worked and I had a good meet., but I just trusted in him and the plan and didn't think back...I always like the idea of swimming less and less over a few weeks though. A good excuse to be lazy. I remember feeling ready for a rest for the first 2 weeks and then the last week, with the meet looming, I got mentally prepped and by Saturday I was ready to go. You can only pool advice, you have to find what you can place faith in.
What does Jazzy have to say on it? He's the swim/weight guru...
