Thursday, January 31, 2008

1/27/08 - Biked - Dry land Swim

So I did not get to the pool, and decided to hit the bike for 14 miles in 45 min, it was a good pace and something that I needed to do. Then from there I did a 30 min dry land swim session so here it is again, did this about a week ago and I was sore in a good way the backs of my arms (triceps) and my full back.
arm-up: Complete on arm ergometer or rowing machine:
2 minute warm-up
Hard-easy ladder: 1 hard pull or cycle followed by 1 easy pull or cycle, then 2/2, 3/3, and so on up to 10 hard pulls and 10 easy pulls.
hen ladder back down from 10/10 to 1/1.
Finish this station with a 2 minute maximum effort, before moving on to the next station.
Cable work: Complete 15 repetitions for each of these three exercises, with minimal rest:
Straight arm cable pulldowns: use a bar for a handle - grab with both arms and pull from high (above shoulder height) to low (down to hips) without bending your arms.
Bent arm cable pushdowns: do the same exercise, except begin with elbows bent at 90 degrees, and straighten at bottom.
Standing cable rows: bring cable height down to bellybutton level - row into body, squeezing shoulder blades back.
Complete this cable circuit three times through, then move on to the third station.
Core work: Again, complete these three exercises as a 3x circuit with minimal rest (15 repetitions):
Superman: line in prone position on ground with all four limbs outstretched - lift all limbs off the ground, hold briefly, then return to starting position.
Bicycle crunches: start on back with one leg extended and one leg bent (both feet hover above the ground). Complete a crunch by flexing upper body up while bending the straight leg and straightening the bent leg. Return to starting position (that's one rep, complete 15 for both sides).
Mountain climber: in push-up position, bent right knee to touch left elbow, then left knee to touch right elbow (complete 15 to each side).
Leg Work: Finish with the last station - two lower body strengthening exercises. Complete both exercises as a 15 repetition circuit.
Cable kick forward: attach leg to cable apparatus - standing on one leg with the kicking leg straight, kick forward as if kicking soccer ball. Switch after 15 and complete 15 kicks for the opposite leg.
Cable kick back: again stand on one leg, but hinge forward at the waist and kick *behind*.
Same number of repetitions (15), but complete this circuit only 2x.
This workout will work many of the same muscles that are utilized while swimming, but remember, nothing can substitute for the feel and drag experienced in the water, so don't completely neglect the pool - just substitute a resistance training workout if you simply can't get a good swim time or need a change-up from the normal routine. The off-season is a great time for cross-training, so a weight training routine like the one outlined above is recommended, especially at this time of the training season.