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?
I believe that resistance training that inlcudes all major muscle groups, whether done for tone or strength, provides additional structural support to the body and may assist flexibility and joint health. Whereas just doing lat pulldowns and tricep extensions for instance, to obtain more force for swimming, might actually be harmfull.
I usually do some form of weight training 4-5 times ea wk and try to focus on at least half of the muscle groups ea time. Can't say if this has improved my swimming because I started swimming after I had a steady weight training program, but I can say the two together are appreciated by my wife:bolt:
I believe that resistance training that inlcudes all major muscle groups, whether done for tone or strength, provides additional structural support to the body and may assist flexibility and joint health. Whereas just doing lat pulldowns and tricep extensions for instance, to obtain more force for swimming, might actually be harmfull.
I usually do some form of weight training 4-5 times ea wk and try to focus on at least half of the muscle groups ea time. Can't say if this has improved my swimming because I started swimming after I had a steady weight training program, but I can say the two together are appreciated by my wife:bolt:
