Depending on your program, off season training will look different for everyone. You may have a certain amount of hours that you need to hit, or you won't have practice at all. Either way, if you want to know a few ways to keep your body in shape, or just to cross train and do something different, here are 5 ways swimmers can train in the off season.
- Yoga
Yoga can help with flexibility and mobility which is a great way to keep your body in tip top shape in the off season. Now if you have never tried yoga, I wouldn't start off with a high level yoga class. There are many yoga classes online you can take to sharpen your beginner moves.
- Running
Running can be a swimmer's worst nightmare, but it can also help a swimmer get back into shape really fast! Cross training with running will help you keep that endurance up for when you eventually hop back in the pool.
You might need to go searching for a machine for this one, but similar to running, rowing can help a lot with your endurance.
- Hit the weight room
If you're going to go back into the weight room, be sure to ease back into it. And if you don't know where to start, just do what your weights coach normally gives you! There is nothing wrong in perfecting the movements.
- Play other sports
You're in the off season which means you most likely have way more time to do other things that you wouldn't have time for in season–so go play volleyball with your teammates. Although it is not specifically helping you train for swimming, it can still be a workout!
Swimming is one of those sports where there is no actual off season. Everything you do is directly affecting what the next season is going to look like. Sure, you can take off a few weeks or months of swimming, but it may not help your next season. The solution–follow these examples if you want to train for swimming without feeling like you're training for swimming!
Have an idea for a story or a question you need answered? Email us at [email protected]
* Originally published on April 7, 2022, by Kyle Haflich
