Swimming and arm strength

[emsumm]

It is abundantly clear to me that my legs are strong and my arms are weak a ineffectual. If you swim...
What's the best way to get stronger? Should I pull more, or lift weights, or something else?

[Susie]

1. Swim more
2. Lift triceps, high reps low weight
3. Swim more
4. Lift deltoids, high reps low weight
5. Swim more
6. Lift traps, high reps low weight
7. Swim more

And so on.

With less experienced swimmers who are still developing their feel for the water, more strength from lifting will only help a little because you won't necessarily be able to apply it immediately and directly to your stroke in the water. More strength = slicing through the water faster until you learn to use it. Using swimming to develop strength gradually means you can apply what you have more immediately because you learn to use it as you build it.

If you had access to a Vasa trainer or similar that would be nice, but they're totally not necessary. Really, just make like Dory. Just keep swimming. Do some speed work, some aerobic stuff, intervals, mix it up.

[emsumm]

I guess I should have said, I swim about 4 hours per week, 3 of those in Masters. I want to get faster, but particularly I want to get stronger in my upper body. I want to be able to rely on more than just my legs in the water.

[joenali]

I also use stretch cords!

[Susie]

I can't tell if you are actually asking for help or just grumpy that you're not already stronger/that your current regimen hasn't done the job already. You don't seem very receptive to suggestions.

[gumi]

I think Susie gave good suggestions. Triceps & deltoids, high reps, vasa trainer (that is what I use), more swimming.

4 hours is more than I do, but it's not a ton swimming. I think building muscle while doing cardio is a very slow process bc it takes calories to make muscle....not that easy to do while you are burning cals. On the other hand, the muscles used in swimming are so specific, they are hard to target in the weight room, imo. One exercise is to push down on the lat pull down (instead of pull) but keep your elbows up like you do in the water.

[emsumm]

Feb 7, 2014 9:23:10 GMT -5 Susie said:

I can't tell if you are actually asking for help or just grumpy that you're not already stronger/that your current regimen hasn't done the job already. You don't seem very receptive to suggestions.

Whoa. Ok.
I wanted help. I was just trying to add more info?