Hydrostatic Pressure. That's why swimming is the best exercise in the world. Resistance in every direction. New studies show that swimming fast interval training actually thwarts sarcopenia. Swimming every day improves balance and reflex reactions that can save seniors from falls. The constant pressure on all parts of the body from just being in water makes one's heart work a bit harder and helps to build cardiovascular endurance. And with water pressure in every direction it's an all muscle workout instead of just working one set or the other...
And for those folks who don't want to chew on kale all day long in a valiant attempt to maintain or lose body weight I have to say that there were no fat swimmers in our workout this morning. Eat what you want. Swim more.
Long fast swimming also helps older swimmers sleep better. A long career of swimming daily can turn back the clock too. Or at least slow it way down. You don't have to do it with total focus but three hours of swimming a week is going to make a huge difference.
It's all choices.
Today was backstroke day. Our coach on Thursdays is getting her inspiration over at the UT swim program and decided that every Thursday for six weeks we'd work on drills and sets that would improve technique in one stroke at a time. Last Thursday was breaststroke day. The next day everyone has sore triceps and calf muscles. Two weeks ago was butterfly day. Everyone slept well that night.
Backstroke is a weird stroke for me. It's all about having a good and flexible kick. And fast arm turnover. No gliding as one does in freestyle. Your head shouldn't move but your body should rotate in order to get a deep catch with each arm. Sitting here nursing sore core (abs) muscles. But it's that kind of sore that means you'll look good later.
Looking forward to a mixed up workout tomorrow. And by mixed up I mean a nice combination of all four strokes and multiple distances.
With Michael Phelp's former coach, Bob Bowman now heading up the UT Austin swim program Olympians and incredible swimmers from all over the world are coming to Austin to train. Fast swimmers everywhere. I joke occasionally about Austin being the center of the universe but when it comes to competitive swimming it seems to be coming true. Fun times for Austin swimmers!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment