I have been reading up on training and considering what I want to do for next season. During this, I came across this article reviewing several peer reviewed studies on the benefits of strength training endurance athletes including swimmers. Two interesting things were pointed out in this review.
Strength training for highly trained swimmers showed no benefit in swimming performance tests when compared to swimmers without the strength training.
Strength training for moderately trained (or less) athletes showed noticeable benefit.
I think most masters swimmers would consider themselves in category 2. If you consider yourself in category 1, that while there was no benefit shown for strength training, there was also no detriment shown. Based on this, if you have the time and the desire, there is no reason not to add strength training to your current program.
If anyone has read more current research (the referenced studies are 15-20 years old), or you have personal experience to share, please do.
Parents
Former Member
I prefer doing strength training at home.
Great tools:
-.bodyweight
- resistance bands
- dumbbells
- ab wheel
- pull-up bar
Great exercises are all variations of pull-ups, chin-ups, pushups, dips, core exercises, squats, ab wheel roll-outs, resistance band exercises, dumbbell exercises etc. You can get a full body work out with body weight and cheap equipment.
I prefer doing strength training at home.
Great tools:
-.bodyweight
- resistance bands
- dumbbells
- ab wheel
- pull-up bar
Great exercises are all variations of pull-ups, chin-ups, pushups, dips, core exercises, squats, ab wheel roll-outs, resistance band exercises, dumbbell exercises etc. You can get a full body work out with body weight and cheap equipment.
