The Butterfly Lane

As a flabby, middle aged excuse of a masters swimmer, I have a dream and I realise I must go public to achieve it On 21 January 2012 I will swim 200 fly in competition There , I feel better now ( sort of ):bliss: Go Fenella Go! :cheerleader:

As a flabby, middle aged excuse of a masters swimmer, I have a dream and I realise I must go public to achieve it On 21 January 2012 I will swim 200 fly in competition There , I feel better now ( sort of ):bliss:

Last season at the end of team practice , I finished up with 1,000 fly !:applaud:

As a flabby, middle aged excuse of a masters swimmer, I have a dream and I realise I must go public to achieve it On 21 January 2012 I will swim 200 fly in competition There , I feel better now ( sort of ):bliss: You can do it :cheerleader: - heck if I did it, anyone can!:afraid:

Last season at the end of team practice , I finished up with 1,000 fly !:applaud: Yessss! Congratulations! I'm up to multiple (4-6) 50s in a 25-yard pool, with adequate rest between, and I swam a hundred in competition 3 times this year. Now I'm swimming in the lake, and I find I can go a long ways (not sure how long, but maybe a couple hundred yards) doing butterfly in the open water. Not having to do the turns seems to save a lot of energy.

I have a newbie butterfly question. I just started really swimming butterfly and I want to race a 50yd fly in October just as a start. But it it REALLY slow (a 1:15 to do a 50m) and I am taking on average of 12 strokes per 25m and three kicks per stroke. To get faster, do I need to do 1) less strokes and push more with my kick or 2) more faster strokes? Or should I just worry about competing well and the speed will come? 1st of all, you should drop the 3rd kick during each stroke cycle. Butterfly should have two kicks per stroke. 1 kick should be done as your hands/arms are first entering the water, and the second kick should be done near the end of the pull, just as your hands pull past your hips. 12 strokes per 25 isn't really bad at all, just work on your timing a little bit. Try to find someone who can watch you and help you through it if possible. Take a look at some videos of Michael Phelps and other great flyers on YouTUbe.

Thanks! I think my main problem is that the third kick is at the end of the cycle before I start another stroke. The rest is helping my arms but it's what making me slower I think. If I do the butterfly enough, my arms are going to get really toned! I do weights but it is a lot of low weight with a lot of reps - is that a good idea? I am not a fan of kettlebells at all. Your 3rd kick may be happening because you are gliding with your arms outstretched in front. Sort of a "jump start" to get the stroke moving again. If at all possible, try to eliminate this "glide" from your stroke. Using low weight and more reps will tone you up, without bulking up. I personally just do my bodyweight resistance or light medicine ball work with many reps. **Fast food has been known to make me swim fast also. Not advised for all athletes. :)

I have a newbie butterfly question. I just started really swimming butterfly and I want to race a 50yd fly in October just as a start. But it it REALLY slow (a 1:15 to do a 50m) and I am taking on average of 12 strokes per 25m and three kicks per stroke. To get faster, do I need to do 1) less strokes and push more with my kick or 2) more faster strokes? Or should I just worry about competing well and the speed will come?

Thanks! I think my main problem is that the third kick is at the end of the cycle before I start another stroke. The rest is helping my arms but it's what making me slower I think. If I do the butterfly enough, my arms are going to get really toned! I do weights but it is a lot of low weight with a lot of reps - is that a good idea? I am not a fan of kettlebells at all.

3rd kick ???? That would throw off my entire stroke!!! Try one at the start of hand entry in to the water & one at the end of the pull.