Has anyone used the Vasa swim trainer for endurance type workouts or is it only useful for strength type workouts? I know the erg is designed for endurance workouts, just trying to save 1K$.
I have the trainer and have been recently using it for endurance workouts. I don’t think that I can completely replace my swim workouts with it so far. But I have been able to use for “missed the pool” today days and/or occasional second session.
I feel that it is better suited for strength. You can do endurance workouts on it as well. Just does not feel the primary function to me so far.
Do you swim with a lot/little/no rotation in your stroke? I jumped on a Vasa for a few minutes and it was so far and away different from my stroke I couldn’t see the use in it…for me. I initiate my catch well up on my side…not really possible on the Vasa at least the way I was shown/demoe’d. Is it possible to incorporate any rotation with it?
I have a Vasa trainer and have used it for twenty years and have used it both ways. Having used for periods of time when I was unable to get into pool due to recoverry from foot surgeries. I used it for endurance sets of 30-50 pulls multiple sets like 10 on the low level setting. This was used a s endurance. When using it as supplement to swim training I set the angle higher and used it for strength. Te theory here is that if you are swimming use it for something you can get in pool and that is strength. Not a real replacement for swimming because you do lose feel forr water but you do keep the muscles strong and in some cases stronger by using the trainer. The concept rower also works the same muscle groups for swimming and also adds power for your cycling.
The Vasa trainer is a great tool and long lasting really held up and I used my consistently for 20 plus years.
My Vasa Ergometer was delivered about 9 days ago… Wow, this is a great workout. Definitely not a replacement to the pool, but a great supplement. I did 50 minutes on the Ergometer yesterday, broken up over 4 sessions. Great for endurance or strength. Will definitely help with turnover and endurance in the water…Love it so far!
i don’t rotate that much, and i’m not sure how you could on that bench.
Last week I did an endurance set (10min WU, 40min MS endurance, 10min CD and a VO2 set (10min WU, 5x (2min hard/1min easy), 6 x (1:30 Very Hard, 30sec rest/30sec easy), 10min CD) as the pool was closed. It worked fine for me. To simulate rotation, I use one of those 1/2 foam rollers - a long foam roller cut down lengthwise. It’s kind of awkward to get the hang of, but you can see-saw some rotation that way.
Last week I did an endurance set (10min WU, 40min MS endurance, 10min CD and a VO2 set (10min WU, 5x (2min hard/1min easy), 6 x (1:30 Very Hard, 30sec rest/30sec easy), 10min CD) as the pool was closed. It worked fine for me. To simulate rotation, I use one of those 1/2 foam rollers - a long foam roller cut down lengthwise. It’s kind of awkward to get the hang of, but you can see-saw some rotation that way.
I use a similar 1/2 foam roller. No dry land will completely replace being in the water - but I’ve done Vasa for 17 days before a 1/2IM (with no access to a pool) and swam right on my normal 1/2IM time after doing ALL Vasa.
Great tool. FYI - I am not sponsored by Vasa.
Coach Bob
Kokua Multisports
Twitter: @KokuaMultisport
was that on the ergometer or trainer?
send a PM to cdw.
I hate going to the pool.
Do you think one of these trainers could be the majority of your workouts, then supplement with the pool? Or is it more like, do your majority of the workouts and supplement with the trainer?
I hate going to the pool.
Do you think one of these trainers could be the majority of your workouts, then supplement with the pool? Or is it more like, do your majority of the workouts and supplement with the trainer?
I think with a Vasa Ergo - you could get pretty close. You still don’t get complete specificity of being in the water.
Just curious, what settings do you use and what’s your avg watts for longer than 300 meters? Just curious what I should be aiming for.
Poor swimmer and 72-75 watts on setting four is about all I can handle for longer sets.