Topic: Coaching Help (Weightlifting for non-weightlifters)

[Walter Bailey]

As everybody here knows, weightlifting is extremely beneficial for anybody into sports.  It makes you jump higher, run faster, hit harder etc.  However, if there were sports that have little benefit from weightlifting, it would be long distance running, and swimming etc.  That's where my problem comes in.  I currently coach at a swim club, and I was asked to start making a workout plan for the athletes.  The swimmers will need a strong core, so things like OHS have obvious carry over from Weightlifting to swimming.  My question is regarding the other lifts (mainly the classical and their power variations).  Do you guys think that it would be worth it to focus on these lifts for the swimmers?  Or should I spend more time doing other exercises to help strengthen their shoulders etc, along with some plyometrics? Thanks for the advice.

Walter Bailey

[Shawn Thomas]

Hey Walter,

 I have not come across any sport-specific swim program that involves o-lifting. I personally, have not had the opportunity to work with swimmers, so my knowledge is limited. However, if had the opportunity, I would apply the power hang version of the snatch & clean because of the obvious  power transfer it would have for an explosive start. I would keep the intensity lower 50-70% and I might be cautious on the snatch work, due to the excessive overloading of the shoulders a swimmer experiances in training & competition. U are right with OHS's & plyo work. I would also add in basic foundational strength work i.e squats (front/back), presses (military/bench), pull-ups, deadlifts(posterior chain work) rotator cuff assistance exercises, abdominal work with med balls etc...
 Hoperfully that gives u some insight!!!

sidebar: how is quebec? how is ur training going? are u going to be back for Seafest?

all the best,

Shawn Thomas- Barbarian Weightlifting Club