Questions and Answers - October 2002 edition
by Jimmy Bynum

Q."I was wondering how and if I should integrate weight lifting and swimming. What type of exercises should I do and when. Also if I lift weights what should I do during my taper?"

A. What are your events? What kind of weights do you have access to?

I'm sure you are going to get a lot responses...so you may not have time to reply. So I'll tell you what I believe is the biggest problem that faces swimmers and lifting.

I would strongly suggest that you DO NOT do high reps on your lifting. Why do sets of 12 lat pulls? How many lat pulls do you do during a practice...well over 1,000. So why would you want to do an endurance/aerobic weight workout? The pool will give you your endurance...The weight room is for strength. Low reps (less than 6) and heavy weight.

Of course the specifics are relative to your events.

Swim Fast,
Jimmy