From a conditioning standpoint, and especially for longer endurance oriented swimmers and triathletes, an Endless Pool allows for precise, predictable, and relentless training. This is particularly beneficial for athletes who are well versed in lactate threshold training theory or are being professionally coached. Though swim pacing cannot accurately be translated from the Endless Pool to an Olympic pool or open water, Heart Rate measures are far more accurate in the Endless Pool, and can be used to produce specific physiological training.
Swim training in an Endless Pool will provide an athlete with an extremely valuable and unique training experience. The Endless Pool isolates the swimmer in an environment in which the disruptions that are inherent to swimming in a pool or in open water are relatively relieved. The swimmer is then free to repetitively practice specific technique and conditioning exercises without interruption. This is wonderfully efficient training for a sport in which efficiency is rewarded above all else.
From a technique standpoint, the isolated environment in the Endless Pool will allow a swimmer to intently focus their attention on desired mechanics, with less concern for potential disruption. For example, if a swimmer were to focus on only the rear quadrant or ‘finish’ of his/her freestyle pull – on only the left arm – the potential for successfully identifying any problems with, or building specific awareness of that movement are greatly increased in the Endless Pool.
From a conditioning standpoint, and especially for longer endurance oriented swimmers and triathletes, the Endless Pool will allow for precise, predictable, and relentless training. This could be particularly beneficial for athletes who are well versed in lactate threshold training theory or are being professionally coached. Though swim pacing cannot accurately be translated from the Endless Pool to an Olympic pool or open water, Heart Rate measures are far more accurate in the Endless Pool, and can be used to produce specific physiological training.
From a coaching standpoint, the possibilities of working with an athlete in the Endless Pool are exciting and fairly wide open. Lactate Threshold testing is easily accessible, as is – potentially – VO2 max testing. Also, the ‘endless’ environment will allow the swimmer to train and behave in a very new and non-traditional manner with extremely positive results towards strength and efficiency (tradition up until now has dictated that in order to build strength and efficiency, a swimmer must contend with an infinite amount of disruption; such as currents, flip turns, push offs from the wall, and extreme pace changes. The ability to produce steady state and precise effort has always been somewhat limited). Also, the coach’s ability to address technique issues is greatly heightened, given that the swimmer is in a fixed position and can be easily viewed and video recorded.
For more information on personal coaching sessions or to reserve time in our world-class Endless Pool room, contact Cadence NYC at 212-226-4400!