Feel the need to do a swimming exercise? Sports specific training is currently very popular. You may have seen movements that claim to be a swimming exercise. But if it is not an exercise you do in the water, beware! You may be wasting your time. Bicep curls, bench presses and reverse fly's may appear to work the muscles you use for swimming, but not in the same way you will use them in the water.

By far the most effective way to improve you swimming is to ..swim! Attention to how well and efficiently you move in the water is more beneficial than spending time doing a swimming exercise. You need to work on your swimming fitness and this is best done in the water. Your muscles and coordination will develop and condition themselves during the act of swimming without the need for a separate swimming exercise - see swimming technique

However, it is important that your action is efficient. This means applying minimal effort for maximum return with your muscles firing at the most appopriate time - coordination. Time spent on a swimming exercise program with weights may build up strength but it won't help with you swimming coordination or develop the concept of minimal effort.

Worth A Look

The Art of Swimming
by Steven Shaw
How to swim without putting unnecessary stress on your body. This book looks at how to use your body efficiently with the water and adds a new dimension to your training.

Copyright 2005 Roy Palmer (Art of Performance)
e-mail: contact@artofperformance.co.uk

SBI!