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
As to the original question:
Whether to lift or swim more, I think, depends a whole lot on the individual. If you have technique like, say, Michael Phelps but are built like, say PeeWee Herman, you should hit the weight room.
If your technique is like, say, a labrador retriever and you are built like, say, Dwight Howard, you should hit the pool.
Where you will gain the most improvement depends on where your greatest deficiency lies. And without seeing you, no one can tell you what to do.
As to the original question:
Whether to lift or swim more, I think, depends a whole lot on the individual. If you have technique like, say, Michael Phelps but are built like, say PeeWee Herman, you should hit the weight room.
If your technique is like, say, a labrador retriever and you are built like, say, Dwight Howard, you should hit the pool.
Where you will gain the most improvement depends on where your greatest deficiency lies. And without seeing you, no one can tell you what to do.
