I’m training for a half IM in June and I’m having difficulty working in swimming into my schedule due to work, family, and limited pool availability. Will training with resistance bands give me any benefit to make up for lost pool time? I’m referring to some of the dry land exercises I see on youtube that mimic the swim stroke ie catch, pull and tricep extension and kick. I would think in general these types of exercises with the bands would compliment swimming if done consistently but right now this may be all I have to condition the swim muscles if I can only get in the pool 1x week. Thoughts?
I have tried this in the past. My swimming deteriorates when I don’t go to the pool. You are probably better off spending the time on more biking or running to make up for the lost time in the swim. Strength or muscle is probably a small part of swimming.
I know it’s not what you want to hear but I don’t think there is any substitute for actual, wet swimming.
A little surprised not much response here on this. I’m going to try it anyway and will report back. And yes I have been working extra hard on my running and cycling on indoor trainer to help make up for a weaker swim leg.
well, it s a relative easy question.
no it wont make up for the pool time. is it better to do that kind of training vs doing nothing at all. Most likely yes but you wont get much out of it.
you really have to either find some pool time or open water…but you need to get the time in the water
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My thought is that it probably won’t hurt, but I wouldn’t try to make an actual workout of the bands. I don’t think you will actually gain much. Just make the 1x per week you can swim really count.
I’ve tried it before. Granted, I didn’t use it with a bench, and just bent over at the waist to do it.
It didn’t help much, unfortunately. I think the main problem is that the force is all distributed at the tail end of the stroke, not up front where it’s really needed.
In contrast, my Vasa trainer works really well - smooth resistance through the entire stroke, feels just like paddles.
I definitely can’t disagree with any of the previous comments because I’ve heard so many times that in order to improve you swimming you have to be in the pool. However, I did start using resistance bands several months back and had some great results. I used them as a supplement to swimming, but I did noticed a difference in strength and technique with the use of the bands. I would definitely view bands as an aid to swimming and could be useful to get some swim-like exercise into a tight schedule. Good luck!
I would also agree nothing can replace actual time in the water for swimming experience.
But with that being said, I would also throw in a cudo for strength training with resistance bands to compliment/supplement swimming, running and riding.
I have used and taught strength training classes using bands for years, and if done properly, are an awesome way to gain strength while keeping/building lean muscle.
They definitely aren’t for people trying “bulk” up, but can be very effective in strengthening very specific muscles depending on what area of the body you want to work on.
Just my 2 cents!
Stretch cords are a supplement not a replacement.
Best regards,
Tim