We got a new master swimming coach which insist on having everybody doing flip turns during the entire workout. Never really focused on flip turning in the pool since it does not really matter in the ocean/river. I am not against it, but I am three weeks from my first ironman and now having to focus on flip turns instead of working on strokes and yardage (get too tired to stroke correctly after an 1h of flip turns) does not seam to be the best approach. The new coach does not agree since it helps my lungs. I think it is something you focus on the off season, not in the middle of the season when we are competing.
But for right now tell the guy to go screw himself and do it your way until your IM…
Now after you IM stop being a sissy wall hanger and learn flip turns. You’ll be able to fit in more yardage in less time and you will stop hanging on the walls for rest.
Do the flip-turns!!! They are not a big deal. If you want to swim with the Master’s group you have to follow the rules. Doing flip-turns makes circle swimming with multiple swimmers in the lane a lot smoother. If you don’t want to do the turns then swim on your own.
Do you stop your bike, unclip, get off and walk your bike anytime you make a sharp turn? Learn to do flip turns. If you are swimming in a Masters workout, who ever is in your lane will appreciate it.
Your swimming will benefit from flip turns because you will be able to go faster and then be able to swim with faster people and get faster yet. Besides, it’s the right way to do things.
BUT . . . . . . don’t change anything major three weeks before a big race. Tell your coach that you would really like to start doing them, but you have to get the IM done first. If your coach can’t understand that, then I would really consider looking into another masters swim program (although sometimes we are all stuck with limited options). Or looking into firing the coach because he obviously can’t think if he believes that you should change something this significant so close to a big race.
3 wks out from IM? Fuh-get-about-it. Focus on bilateral breathing and your last bit of fitness and then come home to an off-season of flip-turn fun. I was clocking a 1:01/100 with an open turn and comfortably doing 100s on the 1:25 with an open turn in my preparation for my first IM. I’ve since worked with competitive swimming friends to develop my flip turns.
flip turns will help you in the pool setting to be sure, but they also have the benefit (once you get the hang of them) of maintaining your swimming speed rhythm between laps and in open water. An open turn can really throw off your rhythm and timing (two of the most important aspects of distance swimming). Do as many as you feel comfortable with now, but after the IM, make a point to do them all of the time. Your lungs will get stronger as well (added bonus).
I do not understand why flip turns are so important? If someone else is swimming in my lane as long as I am out of the way by the time they get there isn’t that what matters? When you do a flip turn doesn’t that mess up your rhytm just as much? All of my questions are coming from someone who can not master the flip turn but still I do not understand the benefit.
i disagree with saying that flip turns are ineffective to rythm, because done properly, (like in breast or fly) they are highly effective and fast. i like them, and do them alot because i don’t like flipping upside down over and over and over again. something about that makes me feel slightly sick. so i mix it up, and do flip turns on short sets and open turns on long sets. personal preferance i guess…
i start a master’s swimming program this week…i’m sure no one will give a crap either way.
Flip turns work on the core muscles. As a non-swimmer, since I got in the habit of doing them (thanks for my masters coach), I’ve found that I haven’t had to do crunches in many years. I used to do 50-100 crunches as part of strength training, and now don’t even bother.
Flip turns are more effective for maintaining rythm vs. open turns because in doing an effective flip turn, you are still trying to be as smooth in the water as possible. Good tuck, streamlined & powerful launch. To those who ask “how many walls do you flip-turn on in a lake or ocean?” – well, the same question applies to open-turns: “how many walls can you grab, pull your head and arm out of the water, breath, then push off with?”
The only reason I can think of where lane mates might appreciate flip-turns over open-turns is because most flip turns are less wave-inducing than open turns (since most swimmers I see doing open turns tend to be too close to the surface & not streamlined). I guess this might be one “pro” reason for open turns – it better simulates choppy water!
I think flip turns are hugely overrated. I once spent weeks trying to perfect the damn things, and every time I would end up with chlorinated water up my nose, a huge headache, and slower swimming. There are no walls in lakes, rivers or the sea where we compete, and sure you don’t hang off the wall in a tri either, but the thing is there is no practice needed to just stop at the wall and turn.
For my money, flip turns are one of those givens of competitive swimming that has no use for the triathlete, but we are meant to do them because swimmers do.
I agree with that. I’m with kittycat also about the getting sick part. I think I have a sensitive inner ear. After about the fourth flip turn I start getting nauseated. Also, if we are swimming sprints and I am really sucking air, by the time I get a breath out of my turn I am about to pass out and am severe oxygen debt for the rest of the length. I prefer the open turn - it’s just more relaxing. However, the master coach is hinting to me that I am a wuss, with comments like “you know, a stroke that nice deserves a flipturn.” Peer pressure.
Don’t listen to these people. if you don’t want to do flip turns don’t do them. Are you paying for masters? Yes? Then the coach is working for you. Tell him the way you want it to be. End of story.
Swim turns for tri training are highly overrated. I don’t do them because I don’t like them. I have swum 57 flat in my last three Ironman races going easy and beaten a lot of the fish. I only swim 2500yds twice a week. I NEVER do flip turns. Last I checked there are no walls in a triathlon. Doing a flip turn forces you to hold your breath longer than you would swimming aerobically in a triathlon, particularily an Ironman. Doing open turns maintains the steady breathing pattern thus you can swim harder for longer. I think flip turns are for people who swim a ton and have a monster swimming base. For us 2-3X per week short yardage swimmers flipping is too hypoxic and makes for a worse, not better, workout.
I also don’t alternate breathing. I never do it in a race so why do it in training.
I’ve pissed off many a masters coach by being stubborn but I never got knocked out of the fast lane.
