thebuzzle wrote:
Hi all,
I work offshore so swim training for a month is very limited. I can run on the treadmill, cycle and lift weights (yes I lift and it helps).
Any advice on what I can do to limit my loss of swim specific fitness? e.g. swimming with chest on the big gym ball... Any help would be brilliant :)
do you have room to set up a vasa or halo swim trainer??? they are around 10 ft long and you prob need about 4 ft width for your arms. If you have room, these are the most realistic dry-land swim training. cost is from $450 for the halo to $2000 for the top end vasa with power readout, etc.
if you don't have space to set one of these up and leave it set up, then get a set of Stretchcordz for $40-50. you just loop the end of the tubing around a doorknob or stair-rail, get your distance/tension set up properly, and then start pulling away focusing on high elbow for good form. the cordz are obv much cheaper but i think the swim trainer have the edge in that you can lie flat on their bench and be in more or less same position as when swimming, whereas w/ the cordz you have to bend over at the waist to simulate the pull. if you want some further guidance and pictures, get sheila taormina's book, swim speed secrets.
all of the above are used by top USA swimming programs for dry-land training, so they are def in the mainstream of elite swim training.
"Anyone can be who they want to be IF they have the HUNGER and the DRIVE."