Glenn DavisAthlete Focus Level: Intermediate-Advanced
As coach coordinator, Glenn works with all the MMAC coaches to arrive at a coordinated annual training plan at the beginning of the MMAC swim season in September. The annual plan is developed with the input of all the coaches and provides a time focus for the year that starts in September - Fitness and skill training in the beginning months, sprint, strength training and more stroke specific in the spring, and triathlon/off-season training in the summer. If you want advice on your swimming, ask Glenn or one of the other coaches. We are here to help you become better swimmers (if that is one of your goals!) Glenn is an Instructor at Red River College teaching a variety of business courses to adult learners. Goal Setting 1. How often and for what duration should a fitness swimmer/competitive swimmer train weekly? The number of times and duration a person should train weekly will vary by age and health. Generally, a fitness swimmer should consider 20 to 25 minutes 3 times per week as a minimum (i.e. at a training level for these times - don't include warm-up or warm-down as part of that time) and 30 to 45 minutes 5 times a week (Once again, at a training level for these times) as optimum. Provided exercise is done at a low to moderate effort, it is difficult to say what would be a maximum. A competitive swimmer should train a minimum of 60 minutes 3 times per week; 60 to 90 minutes 5 times per week would be optimum and, as a maximum, 90 to 120 minutes 6 to 8 times per week. Masters swimmers should be conscious of monitoring their body, and adapting the workout should any continuous discomfort (i.e. sore shoulder, pulled muscle) develop. Adapt the workout accordingly, or ask a coach for advice. 2. How should swimmers monitor improvement in fitness and stroke skill? To assess improvement in fitness, Glenn recommends comparing aerobic test sets (e.g. timed 800m swims) and monitoring weight, body measurements and energy levels. Improvement in stroke skill may be determined through competitive times, video analysis, test sets, stroke counts and coaches' feedback. 3. What should new swimmers/ experienced swimmers consider when setting goals? When setting goals, swimmers should have a clear understanding of what the goals are and the amount of time and effort that will be required. Current fitness and performance levels should be known. From this point, strategies can be developed to achieve them. Availability of support from family, club, coach, nutritionist, etc. may impact time management and personal schedules. Picking some distances and strokes will help you to monitor your improvements. Some examples:
Example 1: 6 x 100 free on a set interval - If you start doing these on 2:00 minutes and get 10 seconds rest at the start of the season, can you do them later on 1:50 and still get 10 seconds rest with the same effort later.
Example 2: 400m free or a 800m free - as your fitness and technique develops, your time will improve 4. Do you plan a swim program for the year (September - August)? Are swimmers aware of the plan? As mentioned earlier, we do prepare an annual plan for the team. In September and October, the focus is on fitness, technical, aerobic and accumulation of volume. From November to March, the emphasis is on intensity, strength and competition. From April on, he concentrates on maintaining fitness and including some intensity. Glenn prefers to offer stroke corrections during the second half of a practice after everyone is warmed up. Wednesday morning practices include technical instruction and lower intensity sets. Thursday morning practices involve volume at the start of the season and intensity during the second and third part of the year.
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