Swimming World Magazine explains that swimmers can reap major benefits in the pool from strength and cross training on land. With so many options, it is important to evaluate the type of exercise you are doing out of the pool to ensure it will best benefit your stroke rate, pull, and kick.
Yoga
Yoga done by itself is a great workout. Yoga is an excellent training addition for competitive swimmers because its movements yield flexible muscles with a very wide range of motion. Yoga also helps work out the muscles in the upper back and shoulders, where swimmers typically experience pain from their repetitive swimming motions. Yoga emphasizes controlled breathing, an essential part of every swimming stroke. Swimming and yoga are more alike than you might think, and they are great complements to each other when it comes to your training.
Running
UnderWater Audio explains that any type of running is beneficial to swimmers. This could be distance running, hill training or anything in between. Because runners tend to have lean, muscular bodies, they are ideal candidates for swimming as well. Running also promotes mental stamina, since it is physically grueling and repetitive, much like swimming. Building mental strength and choosing to keep going after exhaustion will generate discipline in the pool.
Water Polo
This one may seem like a no-brainer but water polo is a great complement to swimming. Aside from the obvious (swimming), it helps the swimmers get a good feel of how their bodies move in the water. It can also help strike a balance between keeping a swimmer in the pool year round, but not making them swim monotonous laps year round.
Swimmers are some of the hardest working athletes, and sometimes they need a break. Instead of sitting on the couch catching up on shows, swimmers are urged to get involved in cross-training. Yoga, running and water polo are all amazing accompaniments to competitive swimming.