11 Must-Do Top Upper Body Exercises and Workouts for Swimmers
11 Upper Body Exercises and Workouts for Swimmers
- Bench press: This exercise targets the chest, triceps, and shoulders and can be done with dumbbells or a barbell.
- Pull-ups: Pull-ups are a great exercise for strengthening the back and shoulder muscles.
- Push-ups: Push-ups are a classic exercise that targets the chest, triceps, and shoulders.
- Rows: Rows are a great exercise for strengthening the back muscles.
- Shoulder press: This exercise targets the shoulders and can be done with dumbbells or a barbell.
- Bicep curls: Bicep curls are a classic exercise for strengthening the biceps.
- Tricep dips: Tricep dips are a great exercise for strengthening the triceps.
- Lat pull-downs: This exercise targets the back muscles and can be done using a machine or resistance bands.
- Plank: The plank is a great exercise for strengthening the core and shoulder muscles.
- Russian twists: Russian twists are a great exercise for strengthening the core and oblique muscles.
- Mountain climbers: Mountain climbers are a great exercise for strengthening the core and shoulder muscles.
Bench Press
The bench press is a popular exercise that targets the chest, triceps, and shoulders, which are important muscle groups for swimmers. By strengthening these muscles, swimmers can improve their performance in the water.

The bench press works the chest muscles, which play a key role in the swim stroke. Strong chest muscles are essential for generating the force needed to push through the water and move at a fast pace.
In addition, the bench press also works the triceps and shoulders, which are important for arm and shoulder stability in the water. Strong triceps and shoulders can help to improve a swimmer’s ability to maintain a strong and efficient swim stroke.
Finally, the bench press can also help to improve upper body strength and power, which are important for success in the sport of swimming. By regularly incorporating the bench press into their training routine, swimmers can build the strength and power needed to excel in the pool.
Pull-Ups
Pull-ups are a great exercise for improving upper body conditioning for swimmers. Pull-ups work the back and shoulder muscles, which are important for swim performance.

The back muscles, specifically the latissimus dorsi, are essential for pulling the body through the water during the swim stroke. Strong back muscles can help to improve a swimmer’s speed and power in the water.
In addition, the shoulder muscles, specifically the rotator cuff muscles, play a crucial role in maintaining arm and shoulder stability in the water. Strong shoulder muscles can help to improve a swimmer’s ability to maintain a strong and efficient swim stroke.
Finally, pull-ups can also help to improve upper body strength and power, which are important for success in the sport of swimming. By regularly incorporating pull-ups into their training routine, swimmers can build the strength and power needed to excel in the pool.
Push-Ups
A traditional activity that can benefit swimmers with their upper body conditioning are push-ups. Push-ups focus the chest, triceps, and shoulders, which are crucial muscular groups for swimmers.

The chest muscles, particularly the pectoralis major and minor, are important in the swimming stroke. Strong chest muscles are required to generate the force required to push through the water and move quickly.
In addition, the triceps and shoulders are important for arm and shoulder stability in the water. Strong triceps and shoulders can help to improve a swimmer’s ability to maintain a strong and efficient swim stroke.
Rows
Rows are a great exercise for strengthening the upper body muscles for swimmers. Rows specifically target the back muscles, which are important for swim performance.

The back muscles, specifically the latissimus dorsi, are essential for pulling the body through the water during the swim stroke. Strong back muscles can help to improve a swimmer’s speed and power in the water.
Shoulder-Press
For swimmers, the shoulder press is an excellent workout for developing upper body conditioning. The shoulder push focuses on the shoulder muscles, which are essential for swimming performance.

The shoulder muscles, particularly the rotator cuff muscles, are critical in maintaining arm and shoulder stability in the water. Powerful shoulder muscles can aid to improve a swimmer’s ability to maintain a strong and efficient swim stroke.
Bicep Curls
Bicep curls are an excellent exercise for swimmers to improve upper body conditioning. Bicep curls work the bicep muscles, which are essential for swimming performance.

The bicep muscles are important in the swim stroke because they generate the pulling power required to go through the water. Strong bicep muscles can aid to improve a swimmer’s speed and power in the water.
In addition, strong bicep muscles can also help to increase a swimmer’s ability to maintain a strong and efficient swim stroke by providing stability to the arms.
Tricep Dips
Swimmers can improve their upper body conditioning by doing tricep dips. Tricep dips target the tricep muscles, which are vital for swim performance.

The tricep muscles are important in the swim stroke because they generate the pushing power required to move through the water. Triceps muscle strength can increase a swimmer’s speed and power in the water.
Furthermore, strong tricep muscles can help a swimmer maintain a strong and efficient swim stroke by providing stability to the arms.
Lat Pull-Downs
Swimmers can improve their upper body conditioning by performing lat pulldowns. The back muscles, which are crucial for swimming performance, are the focus of lat pulldowns.

During the swim stroke, the back muscles, particularly the latissimus dorsi, are crucial for pulling the body through the water. A swimmer’s speed and power in the water can be enhanced by having strong back muscles.
Plank
Swimmers can improve their upper body conditioning by performing the plank. The core and shoulder muscles, which are crucial for swimming efficiency, are the focus of the plank.

The rectus abdominis and obliques, in particular, are essential for maintaining proper posture and body alignment in the water. The stability and effectiveness of a swimmer in the water can be enhanced by strong core muscles.
Russian Twists
Russian twists are a fantastic exercise for swimmers to develop their upper body strength. The core muscles, which are crucial for swimming performance, are the focus of Russian twists.

The rectus abdominis and obliques, in particular, are essential for maintaining proper posture and body alignment in the water. The stability and effectiveness of a swimmer in the water can be enhanced by strong core muscles.
Additionally, having a strong core can assist a swimmer have better power and rotation in the water, both of which are crucial for producing force throughout the swim stroke.
Mountain Climbers
Swimmers can improve their upper body conditioning by doing mountain climbers. The core and shoulder muscles, which are crucial for swimming performance, are the ones that mountain climbers focus on.

The rectus abdominis and obliques, in particular, are essential for maintaining proper posture and body alignment in the water. The stability and effectiveness of a swimmer in the water can be enhanced by strong core muscles.
Additionally, the stability of the arm and shoulder in the water is maintained by the shoulder muscles, in particular the rotator cuff muscles. Having strong shoulder muscles can help a swimmer maintain a powerful and effective swim stroke.
Last but not least, mountain climbers can aid in enhancing upper body strength and power, which are crucial for success in the swimming activity. Swimmers can develop the strength and power necessary to succeed in the pool by frequently including mountain climbers in their training regimen.
In conclusion, mountain climbers are a great exercise for improving upper body conditioning for swimmers. By targeting the core and shoulder muscles, mountain