Building strength through increased resistance of tools such as hand paddles and/or pull buoys is essential for getting the most out of your swim stroke. However, it is important that it is not done to excess and it is done after a solid base-building phase of training to prepare you for the extra demands and training stimulus it gives you. This session is great for master’s swimmers as well as open-water swimmers and triathletes.
Each Saturday I will post a Swim Session, and most weeks I will load three options up for you to do. Option A is for swimmers who are after a workout between 1,000 & 2,000 metres. Option B is for swimmers who are after a workout between 2,000 & 3,000m and Option C will be greater than 3,000m.
Read this article here for an explanation of Swim Intensity.
Option A
- 400m WU Level II;
- 4x 50m Drill/Swim;
- 5x 200m Pull/Paddle Level III 45RI;
- 200m CD Level I-II (1,800m)
Option B
- 800m WU Level II;
- 8x 50m Drill/Swim;
- 6x 200m Pull/Paddle Level III 45RI;
- 200m CD Level I-II (2,600m)
Option C
- 1,000m WU Level II;
- 12x 50m Drill/Swim;
- 8x 200m Pull/Paddle Level III 45RI;
- 200m CD Level I-II (3,400m)
For the Warm Up (WU) start with a 400m swim (Option A), 800m (Option B), or 1,000m (Option C) at Level II. During the warm-up feel free to stop and stretch as needed. It doesn’t need to be a continuous swim.
Next up is a drill set. There are four (Option A), eight (Option B), or twelve (Option C) 50m repetitions, made up of 25m Drill, then straight into 25m normal swimming. Feel free to use fins whilst doing this set. Do the drills below once (Option A), twice (Option B), or three times (Option C) through:
The main set includes five (Option A), six (Option B), or eight (Option C) reps of 200m swum with both paddles and pull buoy at Level III. Take a 45-second Rest Interval (RI) after each rep.
For the Cool Down (CD) swim 200m. Unlike the previous sets which have to be freestyle, the Cool Down (CD) (like the Warm Up (WU)) can be any stroke you wish to swim. You can also stop and rest after any length. I encourage you to stop and stretch during the cool-down.
If you would like further advice feel free to contact me.
I am the Head Coach and Director of Qwik Kiwi Coaching.
I specialise in assisting first-timers and recreational athletes to achieve their sporting goals. I can be contacted at coachray@coachray.nz and 021 348 729.
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Prior to using this plan, you should be able to swim 400 metres or yards continuously, 1,500 metres or yards total within a workout.
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