Is there a worthwhile benefit to ‘learning’ to do fly? Or is this something I should pursue after the season and use the time to do more higher intensity free?
I already know how to swim fly, although I’m sure my technique sucks by comparison. I used swim distance free, so none of my other strokes are much good, as I’ve swum free almost exclusively for years.
The show-off value of fly makes it well worth learning.
But only if you can do it well. Otherwise you look like a tri swimmer 
There are some benefits to swimming butterfly: increased power, focus on catch and pull, strengthens core muscles, etc. I always try to supplement my swim training with other strokes, since they all help improve certain aspects of my swimming. It’s also nice to get some variety in my workouts.
I would hold off until the off-season, though. Learning it will help, but not enough for it to be a priority. Since you say you were a swimmer before, you probably won’t get as much benefit as someone new to swimming.
And it’s important to focus on proper technique, otherwise it won’t really work at all. If you swim butterfly poorly, it can put a lot of stress on your shoulders, which can result in injuries. So just make sure you have the time and dedication to focus on doing it right.
There’s rarely anyone sharing the pool to show off to… or to be embarrassed in front of.
As far as how it looks, it probably looks cool… for about 25 yards.
Doing the butterfly is a great way to keep other people from trying to jump in your lane. Unless they want to get taken out, that is.
yeah…fly with paddles is always good for keeping a lane to yourself.
Fly fucking ROCKS.
I don’t really think it will help your triathlon racing…
But it’s the coolest stroke.
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hysterical. I thought I was the only one who would throw a random fly set into a work out just to keep a lane.
With that being said as a okay flyer I have noticed that i tend to porpoise at the start of a race a little better than some others.
The biggest benefit will be that it will make your core stronger. Fly kicking does this too. Do as much as you can while keeping your form good - NO VERTICAL FLY
Fly will peg your heart rate quickly. It is a very intense stroke and requires a lot of power. It’s good for simulating “max effort” or close to it type scenarios. IMs are also great (fly/back/breast/free) because the fly gets the HR up really quickly like the beginning of a race and then you have to maintain with the other strokes. It’s also good for core conditioning and “feel” in the water like the other posters pointed out…
I found that learning fly was great for building my strength as a swimmer. Coming from a non swimming background, I think it would definitely be something to learn properly. I did more of it in my off season and do mostly free now. I wouldn’t mind doing more of other strokes to avoid boredom, but I just do as I am told by my coach.
Fly was specifically developed to make swimmers STFU about how hard the other strokes are!
because it’s fun. because it’s hard. because it looks damn cool. because it’s something different than f*cking free…
AP