Training & Nutrition - swimming for better biking posture?

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k12ug
04-23-09, 10:32 AM
i need to strengthen my back, because im having lots of pain on my new bike. (very aggressively positioned) i am not used to the position. so i need to get my back strong. also i have bad posture to put on top of that.

so will swimming be a ***VERY*** effective way to improve this?
i am also stretching my back and glutes to improve my flex while i am over the bike.

edbikebabe
04-23-09, 10:43 AM
Try doing some core work. Situps, low back lifts (also known as "superman pose" I believe), the plank etc. The stronger your core is, the better.

Swimming can't hurt, but I'd still do some dedicated strength training.
k12ug
04-23-09, 10:46 AM
Try doing some core work. Situps, low back lifts (also known as "superman pose" I believe), the plank etc. The stronger your core is, the better.

Swimming can't hurt, but I'd still do some dedicated strength training.


so your trying to tell me core training>swimming.

ill still do both though.

Denny Koll
04-23-09, 10:51 AM
Try doing some core work. Situps, low back lifts (also known as "superman pose" I believe), the plank etc. The stronger your core is, the better.

Swimming can't hurt, but I'd still do some dedicated strength training.

Me too. I've been a swimmer for 20 years but it can only do so much for your back. You need to do some specific stregthening for the back as mentioned in this post.
u8myburger
04-23-09, 12:01 PM
i agree with the other posts of doing some core work. swimming can still be an aerobic exercise, but is not much of a weight bearing exercise which can strengthen yourself. id recommend some strength training exercises for your back consisting of:

bend over rows
lat pull downs
seated narrow grip rows
8Lives
04-25-09, 06:15 PM
Yoga. And core work. And maybe a proper bike fit - you are losing power if it is too aggressive for your current level of flexibility. Interesting article I cam across in Road Bike action where they did a fit on one of the pro teams and moved a bunch of riders to a less aggressive position because they didn't have the flexibility. Power went up.

A stronger back through weights will do nothing to help and probably just make you tighter. A stronger core however is key.