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Can you supplement swimming?

chamblin

Apr 13, 12 8:19

Post #1 of 10 (856 views)

Can you supplement swimming?	Quote \| Reply

My schedule only allows me to get to the pool twice a week so I'm looking for ways to supplement my swimming. I realize there's no substitute but is there anything outside the pool that will help, like adding some work with resistance bands, swim trainer, etc.?

Thanks.
Chris

El Penguino

Apr 13, 12 8:35

Post #2 of 10 (823 views)

Re: Can you supplement swimming? [chamblin] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

The Vasa Ergometer is a good option as far as time efficiency goes as you can set it up in your home. It's not as good as swimming by itself but it does have some advantages over swimming such as increasing the resistance and working specific motions that would other wise be more difficult in the pool.

For bands, I use them to help prevent injury for the most part, not to help advance my swimming ability. If you are going long periods without swimming, bands will help reduce the risk of shoulder injury which in turn will help you train more to be a better swimmer.

**I am not now nor have I ever been sponsored by Vasa FYI

MDTri Training
http://www.mdtri.com
http://www.facebook.com/mdtri

cmonster

Apr 13, 12 8:44

Post #3 of 10 (800 views)

Re: Can you supplement swimming? [chamblin] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

IMO, 2 good swims a week and a good 45 minute stretch cord workout will keep you in good shape. You just have to make those yards count.

swimvan

Apr 13, 12 8:47

Post #4 of 10 (788 views)

Re: Can you supplement swimming? [chamblin] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Get a good set of stretch cords and spend 1/2 hour to 45 min. beginning with an easy routine three times a week starting off with a 5 min warm up then stretching once your muscles are warmed up then over time gradually increase the amount of time and intensity with the stretch cords. Finish your workouts off with some easy stretching. Put a time clock in front of you so you can do intervals with rest periods to extend the overall time and vary your workouts to make them more interesting. Music also helps.

You can do full pulls all the way from the catch to the finish at your hips or I like to also include breaking it up into thirds and do a series of cords just the first 1/3 of the pull, the middle 1/3rd then just the last 1/3 to break up the workout and make it more interesting.

You will find the first few weeks it is difficult to progress in time, but you will see over the weeks improvement in your time. Couple this strength and stretching with drills in the pool, you will be better able to apply this added strength to your swimming. The stretching can also have a positive affect on your swim stroke and efficiency.
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Swimming is Tracking, Torque, Traction and Timing

Bad Fish

Apr 13, 12 8:48

Post #5 of 10 (787 views)

Re: Can you supplement swimming? [chamblin] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Triathlon is an integrated sport. You suppliment your swimming by biking and running.

Cervelo Apple

Apr 13, 12 9:03

Post #6 of 10 (759 views)

Re: Can you supplement swimming? [chamblin] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

As long as you know what you are doing in the pool, swimming twice a week is fine (as long as you don't practice the 20 minute pool workout mantra). I wouldn't bother with the cords, ropes, strings, water faucets, bathtubs, etc.

trifit

Apr 13, 12 12:33

Post #7 of 10 (652 views)

Re: Can you supplement swimming? [Cervelo Apple] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

X2 on the Vasa Erg. I feel I get more out of my workouts with it. I have done all but 3 of my swims on it this year. We will see is it works as I have IMTX coming up.

Previous IM swims:
IMAZ 3 X's 1:12-1:13 swim (Wetsuit)
IMTX 1:16 (No Wetsuit)

jasondubose

Apr 13, 12 12:37

Post #8 of 10 (641 views)

Re: Can you supplement swimming? [cmonster] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I also prefer a stretch cord to the vasa things. All too easy to mess up your form on the vasa

-Jason
______________________________________________
"Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines" -Enzo Ferrari

Rambler

Apr 13, 12 13:48

Post #9 of 10 (593 views)

Re: Can you supplement swimming? [chamblin] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

When I tried supplementing my swimming with stretch cords I got slower. Maybe it was because was tired and should have given it more time but slower times in the pool spooked me.

synthetic

Apr 13, 12 19:00

Post #10 of 10 (508 views)

Re: Can you supplement swimming? [Rambler] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

At the gym I have been using a rowing machine where I play on it backwards and do constant pull downs, and its great, the distance I cover seems to match what I do in the pool