Odd way of swimming... does this work? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Irishsean · 09-07-2004, 09:56 AM

I swim every day, usually about 20 laps, but have been really dissapointed in my arms. I do lift a bit, but not as much as I'd like to as the pool is about a block from my house and the closest gym is about 20 miles.
Lately I've been tacking on an extra 10 laps every day, where I only use my arms, with my fingers spread in kind of a doggy paddle and just let my legs hang. It takes forever, and builds up a serious burn in my forearms and shoulders, and seems to be a good cardio workout as it really makes my heart race. Am I gonna see any gains from this, or is it just gonna exercise certain muscles, and not my whole arms?

Willravel · 09-07-2004, 10:02 AM

Okay, good idea. Cup your hands for better resistance. Push or pull as hard as you can with every stroke. Now buy a set of hand weights. Swimming is better for shoulders than for arms, so if you want larger, stronger arms out of the pool, you need to do weight lifting.
I've been swimming since February, once a day, for at least two hours. I've seen almost no muscle growth. I have become better at swimming, but I haven't seen any real change out of the water. I am a little slimmer, but i think next year, I'm gonna try weightlifting first, and swimming second.

maleficent · 09-07-2004, 10:08 AM

There are what I can best describe as froggy gloves that you can buy for swimming. They have webbed fingers and give you resistence in the water which makes your arms a little stronger.

Vary your stroke, try the breaststroke, for a bunch of laps, that's working a different set of muscles.

Irishsean · 09-07-2004, 10:28 AM

The other real problem I have with lifting is my left shoulder is seriously under muscled. I've had 6 surgeries to rebuild it now, and finally got my doctors permission to start exercising it more, but I don't have the full range of motion, and still can't do much overhead. The swimming doesn't seem to agravate it as much as lifting does either, I'm not sure if its just less pressure on the joint itself or what.

Poloboy · 09-07-2004, 01:03 PM

Given your history of shoulder injury, I'd stay out of the weightroom and stick to swimming. If you pool doesn't offer them to the public (the one I work at does), then I would recommend investing in a pair of paddles and a pull buoy. Paddles are about the surface area as your hand, strap onto your palm, and are a very thin plastic. They add resistance to each stroke. Pull-buoy are the white things people put between their legs to keep them floating.

No, your swimming routine is not odd at all. You've actually stumbled upon what top-level athletes do. In order to focus on their arms, they use paddles and a pull-buoy and do exactly what you're doing. You don't really need the equipment, but it can help, and you won't look as funny

If you're doing freestyle, make sure you do an s-shaped pull underwater, and be sure to flick your wrist out of the water at the end of your stroke. Not only will these make you go faster, which you're probably not too worried about, but they'll improve the workout. Doing the s-pull should help work your biceps a little bit more, to balance out the great workout your triceps are undoubtedly getting.

If you're confused about the pull, or want some more tips, just ask one of the lifeguards. If they know anything about swimming they should be able to show you.

Karnic · 09-07-2004, 02:07 PM

From what I've been taught in my health class at college it sounds like your building the lean/very strong muscle in your arms. This is what marathon runner's legs look like

ure lean muscle. It seems like you might want bulky muscle? If so, the best way is to do reps with weights, where you start off light and build up more and more weight. Just my 2 cents. I'm impressed with your workout.

Yakk · 09-09-2004, 11:54 AM

Flutter boards work for holding your legs out of the water.

Hold a flugger board length-wise between your legs with your ankles crossed, and crawl with your arms.

You'll move faster than letting your legs drag. =)

And do maximize resistance (hands as paddles not combs).

Nazggul · 09-09-2004, 12:16 PM

You are basically doing a Pull drill. Put this between your legs Pull Buoy and use these on your hands Aqua Gloves (not too many laps at first, build up slowly). Maybe after a while add some Zoomers.

This adds a resistance training aspect to your workout. As odd as it sounds, using the gloves and the zoomers is harder than swimming without them. It's all in the resistance. Be very careful as the gloves WILL put additional stress on your shoulders.

09-07-2004, 09:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Irishsean edited for content Location: Austin, TX	Odd way of swimming... does this work? I swim every day, usually about 20 laps, but have been really dissapointed in my arms. I do lift a bit, but not as much as I'd like to as the pool is about a block from my house and the closest gym is about 20 miles. Lately I've been tacking on an extra 10 laps every day, where I only use my arms, with my fingers spread in kind of a doggy paddle and just let my legs hang. It takes forever, and builds up a serious burn in my forearms and shoulders, and seems to be a good cardio workout as it really makes my heart race. Am I gonna see any gains from this, or is it just gonna exercise certain muscles, and not my whole arms?

09-07-2004, 10:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	There are what I can best describe as froggy gloves that you can buy for swimming. They have webbed fingers and give you resistence in the water which makes your arms a little stronger. Vary your stroke, try the breaststroke, for a bunch of laps, that's working a different set of muscles. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

09-07-2004, 02:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Karnic Upright	From what I've been taught in my health class at college it sounds like your building the lean/very strong muscle in your arms. This is what marathon runner's legs look likeure lean muscle. It seems like you might want bulky muscle? If so, the best way is to do reps with weights, where you start off light and build up more and more weight. Just my 2 cents. I'm impressed with your workout.

09-09-2004, 11:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
Yakk Wehret Den Anfängen! Location: Ontario, Canada	Flutter boards work for holding your legs out of the water. Hold a flugger board length-wise between your legs with your ankles crossed, and crawl with your arms. You'll move faster than letting your legs drag. =) And do maximize resistance (hands as paddles not combs). __________________ Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.

09-09-2004, 12:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Nazggul Psycho Location: San Francisco	You are basically doing a Pull drill. Put this between your legs Pull Buoy and use these on your hands Aqua Gloves (not too many laps at first, build up slowly). Maybe after a while add some Zoomers. This adds a resistance training aspect to your workout. As odd as it sounds, using the gloves and the zoomers is harder than swimming without them. It's all in the resistance. Be very careful as the gloves WILL put additional stress on your shoulders. __________________ "If something has to give then it always will." -- Editors

09-07-2004, 10:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Okay, good idea. Cup your hands for better resistance. Push or pull as hard as you can with every stroke. Now buy a set of hand weights. Swimming is better for shoulders than for arms, so if you want larger, stronger arms out of the pool, you need to do weight lifting. I've been swimming since February, once a day, for at least two hours. I've seen almost no muscle growth. I have become better at swimming, but I haven't seen any real change out of the water. I am a little slimmer, but i think next year, I'm gonna try weightlifting first, and swimming second.

09-07-2004, 10:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
Irishsean edited for content Location: Austin, TX	The other real problem I have with lifting is my left shoulder is seriously under muscled. I've had 6 surgeries to rebuild it now, and finally got my doctors permission to start exercising it more, but I don't have the full range of motion, and still can't do much overhead. The swimming doesn't seem to agravate it as much as lifting does either, I'm not sure if its just less pressure on the joint itself or what.

09-07-2004, 01:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
Poloboy Insane Location: Canada	Given your history of shoulder injury, I'd stay out of the weightroom and stick to swimming. If you pool doesn't offer them to the public (the one I work at does), then I would recommend investing in a pair of paddles and a pull buoy. Paddles are about the surface area as your hand, strap onto your palm, and are a very thin plastic. They add resistance to each stroke. Pull-buoy are the white things people put between their legs to keep them floating. No, your swimming routine is not odd at all. You've actually stumbled upon what top-level athletes do. In order to focus on their arms, they use paddles and a pull-buoy and do exactly what you're doing. You don't really need the equipment, but it can help, and you won't look as funny If you're doing freestyle, make sure you do an s-shaped pull underwater, and be sure to flick your wrist out of the water at the end of your stroke. Not only will these make you go faster, which you're probably not too worried about, but they'll improve the workout. Doing the s-pull should help work your biceps a little bit more, to balance out the great workout your triceps are undoubtedly getting. If you're confused about the pull, or want some more tips, just ask one of the lifeguards. If they know anything about swimming they should be able to show you.