Does anyone else flat out refuse to do kick sets because they hate it and are convinced the knee will get aggravated to the point that the returns become negative?
Is there evidence to support that you are in fact better off avoiding kicking or am I just being a wuss?
What type of kicking are you talking about: flutter, dolphin or frog?
I have terrible knees -- they prevent me from running -- but have no trouble with kick sets. (Though I don't do frog kick at all in practice -- ever.) And I don't see how the nature of the stress on knees from swimming or kicking can be similar to the type of stress they get in running, to produce the same reaction.
That being said, you need to listen to your body. Surely you can push it but stop or back off before you reach a tipping point, where you would be in pain for 10 months? If that's what you are doing and it isn't working, don't push on just because you've heard it is good for you. It isn't good for you if it makes you stop training.
Flippers and zoomers are hard on my joints (knees and ankles) and I use them very sparingly.
What type of kicking are you talking about: flutter, dolphin or frog?
I have terrible knees -- they prevent me from running -- but have no trouble with kick sets. (Though I don't do frog kick at all in practice -- ever.) And I don't see how the nature of the stress on knees from swimming or kicking can be similar to the type of stress they get in running, to produce the same reaction.
That being said, you need to listen to your body. Surely you can push it but stop or back off before you reach a tipping point, where you would be in pain for 10 months? If that's what you are doing and it isn't working, don't push on just because you've heard it is good for you. It isn't good for you if it makes you stop training.
Flippers and zoomers are hard on my joints (knees and ankles) and I use them very sparingly.
