Part 4/8:
Strength Training: An Essential Component
It may come as a surprise, but swimming alone doesn’t produce the incredible physiques seen in professional athletes. In fact, many swimmers commit significant portions of their training regimen to strength training outside the pool. Most elite swimmers allocate anywhere from 5 to 10 hours each week in gym sessions to enhance their performance, build strength, and prevent injuries.
This "dryland" training is critical in transforming their bodies. The strength training not only complement their swimming but aids in correcting muscle imbalances inherent to the sport. As a result, a swimmer's routine is typically structured to include a balanced mix of endurance swimming and targeted strength training.