Swimming Strength and Conditioning - Some Key Points , Friday, July 17, 2009 at 7:12 PM, in

In swimming strength and conditioning is important if you are to get the most out of your pool sessions. If you have ever gone swimming after a long break you know you will ache all over when you drag yourself out of the pool. You can feel the work in the legs and shoulders especially.
You might be surprised to know though, that the abdomen is at the core of swimming. A lot of the work and power in a swimming stroke comes through there - so any swimming strength and conditioning work needs to focus on that area as well as the more obvious shoulders. Don't waste time on crunches though, a six pack never got a swimmer a faster time!
Another area where a swimming strength and conditioning programme should focus is on "core stability".





The reason? That are of the body is a big part of things. Have you ever had that feeling you are struggling round the hips and pelvic areas and sinking a little? That is a certainty to slow you down and one area that people new to swimming struggle with. Some improvements here can work wonders.
You can even combine the two ideas by doing some exercises in the pool with the benefits of some water resistence as part of your swimming strength and conditioning plan. It provides a nice warm up before your swim.
The final word has to be variety too, make sure you vary the exercises you do to keep the interest up. Tired body, tired mind goes the saying. It does work the other way round too.

For some swimming training secrets 99% of people just don't know head to strength training and conditioning, while find out how your strength and conditioning workouts can be revolutionised with the "two for two" rule.