Did you know that swimmers need to practice on land to improve their performance in the water? In the swimming world, this is called Dryland Training.
My name is Abbie Fish, and I'm a longtime partner of Crossover Symmetry. I'm also a business owner who helps swimmers and swim coaches worldwide get faster. As a high-level swimmer turned swim coach, Dryland is an area I've become well-versed in to help my swimmers become their best.
If you're a swimmer, ensure you have a proper Dryland program that is calibrated to keep your shoulders healthy and your body strong, like our Swim Like A. Fish x Crossover Symmetry 12-Week Dryland Program.
So, Why Do You NEED Dryland Training?
Reason #1: Dryland Training Improves Force Output In The Pool
This is the primary answer to the question, "Why Do Swimmers NEED Dryland Training?" It's also the reason swimmers started training on land in the 1990s, and after that, every single world record fell.
The reality is that there is a DIRECT CORRELATION between the power a swimmer can produce in the pool and their strength-to-body ratio.
If you get stronger on land, you can more easily pull yourself through the water and go faster.
Reason #2: Certain Dryland Movements Correlate Perfectly with Movements We Need In The Water
Have you ever considered the position of a swimmer on the wall during a Flipturn?
Or rather, the position they ideally get into? Well, it looks JUST LIKE a squat or when someone is rowing on an erg. Don't believe me? Check this video out.
Practicing swimming positions using your body weight (or more!) on land prepares the body for doing so in the water. When we're in the water, buoyancy helps us feel less of gravity's impact.
So, if you can perform the position while gravity is affecting you on land, it'll be a breeze to do the same when you're in the water.
Reason #3: Balances Out In-Water Training
Interestingly, Dryland Training balances in-water training.
It helps swimmers have fun and stay engaged in their workouts. It also helps strengthen areas like shoulders or other joints—especially those smaller muscles that get strained from swim training.
Ready to Get Dryland Training Started?
If you're looking for a great place to start with your dryland training, consider Crossover Symmetry x SLAF, our 12-week program.
It's a straightforward program written by us. It uses the Crossover Symmetry Shoulder and Hip & Core systems and a few other pieces of simple gym equipment. It'll be a nice complement and also a fun component to add to your training!
For more information about Swim Like A Fish and our other offerings, check out our website: www.swimlikeafish.org!