Because they spend so much time in the water, swimmers have an interesting viewpoint and phrase for exercises done on land.

Dryland.

From their watery perspective, swimmers and coaches use the term dryland training (or simply dryland) to refer to physical conditioning performed out of the water. Dryland is a form of cross training that includes cardiovascular, flexibility, and strength activities.

Its goal is to condition, stretch and strengthen muscles that are used in swimming. Like all of their land-based colleagues, the goal is to build fitness and improve athleticism.

Dryland training can include running, jumping, spinning, rowing, calisthenics, stair climbing, weight lifting, yoga, Pilates, plyometric drills, cycling, stretching, and KAATSU Training. The equipment used can include everything from surgical tubing and medicine balls to pull-up bars and yoga mats.

One of the toughest dryland workouts we witnessed was a set of 200 freestyles that incorporated a number of pull-outs and pull-ups on a chin-up bar near the pool between each 200.





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