Michael Phelps is a world-class athlete, and could stop swimming and go excel at another sport; of that, I have no doubt. However, he is a swimmer. Period. He trains specifically for that, and toward that end, and nothing else. Yes, he is in good shape... For what he does. I am just saying that he is very good at one thing; that's all. Sure, he can whip 100% of the people on the planet in a pool, but if life ever really hit him in the mouth, and he didn't have his checkbook with him, or water somewhere near, he would be challenged. Things wouldn't be as super smooth and easy for him as they are in a pool. Enough about Michael Phelps. He is in good shape.

And for the record, there are few people on the planet that deadlift 300kg bro.

 

Thanks Tsar. This is not about me knowing what I am talking about. I want everyone to get involved, to post their workouts, loads, reps, what they eat, etc. Notice that I am not saying anyone is doing something that is wrong. I don't play that game. Whatever works for you, DO IT.

 

This is an incredibly subjective statement coming from someone who is so objective when it comes to diet.

As far as objective measurements for physical fitness go, elite athletes are, for the most part (talking mostly about swimmers, cyclists, rowers, runners), "off the scales" in terms of BMI, lung capacity, waist-to-hip ratios, cardiac endurance, etc.

Based on the factors above, I'd say he's in phenomenal shape

 

My diet is loosely designed around set parameters that I can't control most of the year. I eat the best of what I have available, and mail myself what I can, so basically I do the best that I can diet-wise with what I have available.

MP is phenomenally well-suited to be a world champion swimmer, which his entire life is built around, so yes, he is in great shape. For swimming. Just like Lance Armstrong was in great shape for cycling, but he would have been murdered in other sports and walks of life.

Enough about these silly semantics... Back to topic.

 

Back on topic: 19 mile week!

 

Read the two words I typed after "He is in great shape."

 

 

What socal is getting at is specificity. At some point if you are directing your training towards a specific focused goal you'll hurt your performance in other aspects.

Yes, some athletic training bleeds over into other disciplines, but it really depends on what that training is. Watch Dhani Tackles the Globe for an example. Certainly his overall athleticism helps him in many sports, but his sport's (and more specifically his position and personal workouts) training includes sprinting, explosive and max strength weightlifting, swimming and skill work. So he is more capable of overall performance.

I guy like phelps basically does endurance, speed and skill work for swimming all day every day. Some core work and yoga if I remember right. So his training is much more specific and there is likely to be a lot less overall athletic carryover.

GSP does weight training, sprints, wrestling, kickboxing, running and so on. Lots of general work there as well.

I believe for a non-elite (meaning most of us) there isn't such a need to be specific and general fitness and health should be the goal. Our jobs probably don't depend on our 40 times. But someone that can lift a decent amount, hike, bike, run, swim and so on at will without injuries will be healthy and happy into their later years.

Thats my take, might not be yours.

 

Saturday's workout, completed in ~ 14 minutes using 30 and 35lb dumbbells:

30 push ups
30 jump squats
30 band rows
30 kettlebell / dumbbell swings
30 band press
30 lunges
30 one-arm snatch
30 reverse fly
30 bicep curl
30 Arnold press
30 squats
30 situps


Sunday's workout, completed in ~12 minutes using 60lb dumbbells (substituted knees to elbows in place of the rope climbs):

For time:
135 pound Front squat, 10 reps
15 ft Rope Climb, 1 ascent
135 pound Front squat, 9 reps
15 ft Rope Climb, 1 ascent
135 pound Front squat, 8 reps
15 ft Rope Climb, 1 ascent
135 pound Front squat, 7 reps
15 ft Rope Climb, 1 ascent
135 pound Front squat, 6 reps
15 ft Rope Climb, 1 ascent
135 pound Front squat, 5 reps
15 ft Rope Climb, 1 ascent
135 pound Front squat, 4 reps
15 ft Rope Climb, 1 ascent
135 pound Front squat, 3 reps
15 ft Rope Climb, 1 ascent
135 pound Front squat, 2 reps
15 ft Rope Climb, 1 ascent
135 pound Front squat, 1 rep
15 ft Rope Climb, 1 ascent

 

Kör hårt Jox!!!!