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?
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Former Member
Jim,
This same statement can be true for any sport that requires continuous repetitive motion, hmm, such as swimming? As with anything else, you have to learn to do it correctly, either thru self education and/or instruction from a qualified source.
I'm not sure. Take running for example. I'm not sure that building a great deal of upper body strength (and more mass) will improve your running. Or cycling. Lance recently said before the Tour something to the effect of "I can't do a single push up or pull up because I need to lose upper body mass (= strength)".
But other sports, say crew, probably yes.
Jim,
This same statement can be true for any sport that requires continuous repetitive motion, hmm, such as swimming? As with anything else, you have to learn to do it correctly, either thru self education and/or instruction from a qualified source.
I'm not sure. Take running for example. I'm not sure that building a great deal of upper body strength (and more mass) will improve your running. Or cycling. Lance recently said before the Tour something to the effect of "I can't do a single push up or pull up because I need to lose upper body mass (= strength)".
But other sports, say crew, probably yes.
