Core and upper body workout for swimmers
With triathlon becoming more accessible to everyone, it’s no surprise that swimming is becoming a big part of many people’s workouts. To help improve your endurance and technique in the water, you might benefit from working with a swimming coach or checking out some how-to videos and articles. But there is also work you can do on dry land.
Core and Upper Body Workout for Swimmers
- Time: 40 minutes (including rests, warm up and cool down)
- Equipment: dumbells, ViPR, barbell, medicine ball
- Muscle groups: back, arms, core
- Complements: swimming, triathlon, general fitness
- Improves: upper body strength, core stability
- Include in your workout 1-2 times per week to give your muscles time to recover
WARM UP
- Cross trainer or rowing machine x5 minutes
Start steady and slowly increase the level of effort. You should be warm and slightly out of breath at the end.
MAIN WORKOUT
- Dumbbell chest press x12
- ViPR thread the needle x12 (x6 each side)
- Bent over barbell row x12
- Dumbbell lateral raise x12
- Tricep kickback x12 (x6 each side)
- Medicine ball half kneeling chop x12 (x6 each side)
- Superman x12 (x6 each side)
- Rest for 60 seconds between sets
- Repeat x3
Perform each exercise at a steady pace, focusing on your form. Choose weights that are light enough to allow you to complete all repetitions, but that require you to put in medium to hard effort by the last set.
COOLDOWN
- Walk on treadmill x5 minutes
Perform this at a slow pace, focusing on your form. Your aim is to bring your heart rate down.
- Use a foam roller to stretch your lats
- Perform static stretches for your chest, back and triceps
Finding this a challenge?
Use lighter weights, or do half the reps.
Not challenging enough? Increase the weights, or create a superset by not resting between the lateral raise and the tricep kickback.
Last updated Friday 7 December 2018
First published on Friday 27 January 2017