I am tapering for my big meet 4/10-11 and I'm thinking about my next training cycle. Since my free and fly are already my stronger strokes, and I had a good time drop in breaststroke which I attribute largely to weight training concentrating on shoulders and chest, I'm wondering if there are specific lifts that would benefit backstroke, which is my weakest stroke by far, in fact my 50 *** was nearly as fast as my 50 back at my most recent meet. If I could improve my backstroke I might actually get a decent time in an IM event.
I don't do any weight training specifically for backstroke.
Or rather: I have been emphasizing legs & core work more and more the last 1-2 years, but backstroke is only part of the reason.
I agree that backstroke stresses the legs a lot, probably more than freestyle does for most swimmers. But other strokes also use legs a lot too; I know butterfly does. In fly, if my legs die, I sink lower in the water and go slower.
And while I use SDK more on backstroke than the other strokes (b/c I seem to be a faster kicker on my back than on my front), a good SDK benefits all three strokes.
And, of course, working lats and triceps are as important as for the other two strokes.
(I guess I've vaguely heard that there is a 4th competitive swimming stroke, but I think that's an urban myth.)
I don't do any weight training specifically for backstroke.
Or rather: I have been emphasizing legs & core work more and more the last 1-2 years, but backstroke is only part of the reason.
I agree that backstroke stresses the legs a lot, probably more than freestyle does for most swimmers. But other strokes also use legs a lot too; I know butterfly does. In fly, if my legs die, I sink lower in the water and go slower.
And while I use SDK more on backstroke than the other strokes (b/c I seem to be a faster kicker on my back than on my front), a good SDK benefits all three strokes.
And, of course, working lats and triceps are as important as for the other two strokes.
(I guess I've vaguely heard that there is a 4th competitive swimming stroke, but I think that's an urban myth.)
