Hi Everyone,

I have a cycling injury and as a result, can't run or bike, so I have taken up swimming. There seems to be a different philosophy about exerting effort in swimming and cycling and wanted to get your insights.

As I read more about swimming technique, it is all about getting the most bang for the buck with each stroke. For example, you reach to have your hand enter the water as far forward as you can, you do the 'catch' to start pushing the water straight back as soon as your hand enters, and you have your hand exit as far back as you can. It is about pushing the most amount of water at one time.

This all seems logical, but also seems opposite of what is is taught in cycling. In cycling it is NOT about getting the most bang for the buck of each crank arm stroke, but splitting up the load (having more crank arm strokes break up the load).

To be consistent, it would seem that either:
a) You should spin on your bike, and 'spin' swimming - i.e. purposefully being inefficient to keep your arms moving faster to break up the load, or
b) You should grind in a high hear on your bike, and try to push as much water as possible when swimming

Can someone help me understand why there is one philosophy with one and another with the other?

Thanks!
Michael