an "Athletes body" how training/cardio can determine the way you look

Dave_19 · Jun 25, 2009

This is some thing thats been stuck in my mind for awhile. But it seems factual to me that your endurance/cardio stlyle training will have a great impact on your bodys end out come when dieting. This last diet was unique for me. I had a peptic ulcer for weeks, then near the end tore my groin muscle. Basically I did NO standing cardio at all the entire diet. I swam though 3-4x a week, and did pool cardio post work out many days. "pool cardio" to me mainly is a regiment I created focusing on burning out the core/oblique area through variations of twist/pushes lapping the pool, and swimming 100% effort laps, almost like HIIT. I noticed this diet in comparison to last all the focused core cardio training really got my waistline slim almost 2" smaller than last years diet. I also had A LOT more vascularity in the mid section. I'm sticking from this point on with pool cardio, even when my legs recover, there are many benfits to it. If you bodybuilding and swim regularly, you can develop a hybrid bodybuilding/swimmers physique which can make for a really thin waisted developed body.

Heres how I looked on this diet also, feedback/thoughts on this apprecieated

http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48500

DOGGCRAPP · Jun 25, 2009

With all the pool cardio and swimming, did your shoulders give you problems after a while? I just see so many hardcore swimmers with shoulder problems and tendonitis (friend is a high ranking swim coach in this country).....that I wonder what intense swimming and hardcore lifting together would produce

Papa Van Smack · Jun 25, 2009

you know, spend enough time on these boards and you will become bored with all of the repeat, burnt out information....i'm very fascinated by your findings.....wish i had some input....but all I can say is that's cool as hell. I wonder what other types of cardio may produce dramatic yet different results as well.

mrgsxr · Jun 25, 2009

Dave_19 said:
This is some thing thats been stuck in my mind for awhile. But it seems factual to me that your endurance/cardio stlyle training will have a great impact on your bodys end out come when dieting. This last diet was unique for me. I had a peptic ulcer for weeks, then near the end tore my groin muscle. Basically I did NO standing cardio at all the entire diet. I swam though 3-4x a week, and did pool cardio post work out many days. "pool cardio" to me mainly is a regiment I created focusing on burning out the core/oblique area through variations of twist/pushes lapping the pool, and swimming 100% effort laps, almost like HIIT. I noticed this diet in comparison to last all the focused core cardio training really got my waistline slim almost 2" smaller than last years diet. I also had A LOT more vascularity in the mid section. I'm sticking from this point on with pool cardio, even when my legs recover, there are many benfits to it. If you bodybuilding and swim regularly, you can develop a hybrid bodybuilding/swimmers physique which can make for a really thin waisted developed body.

Heres how I looked on this diet also, feedback/thoughts on this apprecieated
http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48500

Whats that pool regimen look like bro? You do sets or just time? I go HIT also for maybe three mins at a time during my cardio sessions. Makes a big difference.

Diesel2323 · Jun 25, 2009

Well first off, obviously it worked great for you as it shows in your photos, great physique Dave.
I have to second DC, as I was a swimmer throughout school and to this day deal with shoulder issues in daily life as well as BBing.
I had a torn rotator on my left and partial torn on my right. But, I also do know EXACTLY the Hybrid body type you’re talking about, and personally, I feel that’s the one I strive for.
I have stayed out of the pool for about 6 years....after your results, I may have to get back in but just carefully.

Either way, great job Dave!!!

bigguns078 · Jun 25, 2009

I swam from age 8 till age 13 every summer on the swim team.. I never had any shoulder or tendonitis issues.. I wonder if this is stroke related? (butterfly, breast, freestyle, backstroke)

I see the benefit of swimming for guys who have trouble keeping leg mass.. Like me.. Alot of treadmill and bike when dieting can really tax your legs of some valueable muscle.. Swimming made my shoulders and lats a bit sore.. If i felt that my arms were getting too much work.. I would grab a kick board and do laps like that to finish off my workout..

It is also a good way to mix up the cardio.. I was getting really conditioned on the bikes, treadmill, ellyptical, etc.. When i hopped in the pool and did three laps with 100% effort.. My heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest and I was really winded..

Not sure what effect swimming has on muscle shape and size..

My swimming routine:
3 laps freestyle.. walk a lap to catch my breath.. 3 laps breast stroke.. rest a bit.. Then repeat..
Sometimes halfway through or towards the end of my workout I would use a kickboard and do two laps at a time.. Then rest.. And repeat..

donjoy · Jun 25, 2009

It's a really good point. Look at guys who surf for a living or even beach lifeguards for that matter. I am guessing most of them don't lift weights on a regular basis (with the exception of Laird Hamilton who is a genetic freak anyway), and they all are cut up with good muscle tone. If you could devote enough time to both I bet you would get that sought after hybrid look.

db006 · Jun 25, 2009

i dont know how many people have access to pools though...

Pekkerwood · Jun 25, 2009

Dave that is very informative. I am embarking on the P90x that includes, yoga, stretching, core, plyometrics, etc for the next 90 days and I'm encouraged by your results with the cross training.

betito · Jun 25, 2009

I did high intensity swimming as cardio... If you want to look good is great, you burn tons of energy and it leaves you so pumped in the upper body that you can barely move... but in the long run is very hard not to overtrain

MightyJohn · Jun 25, 2009

WOW Dave You look good....I noticed in the other thread You are trying to lose muscle...?

Armageddon · Jun 25, 2009

I think your onto something here. But I think maybe intensity is were it varies for most. I really feel warn out after a good swim so I know its doing something. Growing up and even now my parents have a pool right out the back door, I can't remember a summer were we weren't in that thing 24/7. Up by 7 or 8 and in the pool and wouldn't get out some nights until midnight. In adolescent sports I could run cirlses around everyone and I think alot of it was due to the excessive swimming that we did. I too am getting more into some core developement, in the recent years my lower back has gotten weak and now some power movements are starting to suffer. Looks like a good day to go swimming, thanks Dave. How's Cali treat'n ya these days? Gotta be better than Ole Detroit.