Though my form still needs a lot of work, I am considering starting strength training in the near future, since I have read about how it can help swimming speed, form, etc.
However, I am still struggling with the idea of why strength training is needed. Lets assume that lifting a certain weight in a certain way improves a core muscle, which will help steady my posture (?).
Now assuming I don't weight lift, but instead try to hold the proper posture (high elbow, etc.) for a long period of time, and gradually increase the time I do that over weeks and months, won't those muscle(s) automatically improve?
It seems to me that intuitively the proper muscles would gradually get stronger in order to adjust to the frequent usage - that way the exact muscles I need would get stronger, instead of having to train a large array of muscles that have a relation to swimming.
What am I missing?
Parents
Former Member
But done incorrectly--and in my opinion, it is easy to incorrectly lift weights and/or execute the ever-proliferating array of dryland exercises much touted here on these forums--your odds of getting hurt (and sidelined from swimming) are much higher than if you just stick with swimming.
If aren't going to take the time to learn to lift properly, don't lift. But Jim's blanket statements are a little ridiculous. If you are going to injury yourself getting on the floor and doing crunches, you probably need to find someone qualified to supervise you and devise a workout plan because you are in sad shape.
Weight bearing exercise should be done by everyone unless you want to be a poster child for an osteoporosis commercial.
But done incorrectly--and in my opinion, it is easy to incorrectly lift weights and/or execute the ever-proliferating array of dryland exercises much touted here on these forums--your odds of getting hurt (and sidelined from swimming) are much higher than if you just stick with swimming.
If aren't going to take the time to learn to lift properly, don't lift. But Jim's blanket statements are a little ridiculous. If you are going to injury yourself getting on the floor and doing crunches, you probably need to find someone qualified to supervise you and devise a workout plan because you are in sad shape.
Weight bearing exercise should be done by everyone unless you want to be a poster child for an osteoporosis commercial.
