In freestyle (non competitive), should the butt muscle be relaxed or not?
What about backstroke?
Or is it correct to say that the butt muscle should never be relaxed in any style including dolphin kicking?
develop a fast kick
get to where you don't have to think about what to do with your butt muscles in a race
it's an unnecessary distraction
Former Member
My observation and my own experience seem to suggest that when your butt relaxes too much during kicking your legs would bend too much, lack force, and the swim tend to become directionless. Anyone shares the experience?
Former Member
I think more about my arms & hands than any other body parts.
Ditto :D ; but after I think about my arms and hands, it's time to think about this :mooning:
Lie on your stomach and ask someone to watch you lift your left leg, and then your right leg, straight up just a little. They should be able to see if you are using your lower back or your butt to initiate the lifts.
I did that for a chiropractor at a swim meet and he told me I was using my lower back to lift my legs, not my butt, and that this was hurting my back.
He gave me butt-strengthening exercises. So yes, I think using your butt for kicking is a good idea.
The main exercise: lie on your stomach, both legs bent so calves are at 90 degrees to floor. Clench your butt and lift your legs (keep thighs pretty much parallel to floor, except to the extent you lift them slightly), one at a time, alternating, maybe 15 times one leg, 15 times the other, toward the ceiling. You'll feel it the next day.
No awareness of this while swimming, but I think once the exercises get your muscles used to engaging this way you'll have a better kick and a stronger back.
