Static training for freediving

[seahunter]

Some of the guys on spearboard say that static training does not help with spearfishing and that we should only train dynamic breath holds. This does not make much sense to me, do you guys agree and why?

 

[bigdiver]

I dont agree. I think static apnea training is beneficial for all underwater activities. Dynamic and static go together hand and hand. Of course both types of trianing is neccessary. You can't always be in the water training, so dry static training is the best training you can do when not in the water.

 

[Walrus]

I've found in general dynamic training is better then static. If I only train static, then my static will improve but dynamic won't. If I only train dynamics then my statics are still good too.

Static training is much more important for a beginner to intermediate freediver, they are still learning the skill of breatholding. For beginners I think Static is the most important thing. A lot of experienced competition divers (ie already have the skill) however can stop training static for up to 12 months then start again and be right back to where they were.

For spearfishing dynamics are good from a fitness point of view also. ie doing short distances with short recoveries is really good training. In a pinch if you have trouble fitting both dynamics and static training in, spend most of your pool time on dynamics, then do some dry statics at home.

Cheers,
Wal

 

[immerlustig]

i fully agree with wal.

io believe that one other very useful aspect of static training is that you practise relaxation. relaxing muscles you don't use is a key issue in freediving and is more difficult when you dive because you are moving at the same time. the quicker you are able to relax muscles the better. try doing dry statics while sitting, for example. you will have some muscle tension (upper body, neck, shoulders), definitely more than when lying down. when doing statics you practise "feeling" your muscles and relaxing them if they are tense. you will then find it easier to do the same when diving.

cheers,

roland

 

[lungfish]

Hi All,

I think everyone can benefit from static training, particularly tolerance tables. Except when fighting a speared fish, it is advantagous to have a very long "hang time" and tolerance tables are how one learns how to do it.

Of course, active spearfishing is demanding in different ways and I think a very good supplement to spearfishing training is hypoxic training. For example, swim a thousand yards crawl stroke but breath every third, fifth or seventh stroke. Or do a lap crawl, a lap of surface kicking with a kick board and a lap of underwater swimming - repetititively for 45min to an hour.
Additionally, interval training for cardio health is important as well. You can do it running, swimming, using a punching bag, whatever but it is a sure way to increase your stamina.

All three practices yield quite satisfying improvements.... I spent two months working a program like that. I didn't dive at all for the entire time. When I did get into the water I had improved my submersions times by doubling them, at least...and my active submersions became 2.5min plus excursions...

Lungfish

 

[XabreTooth]

hi there!

could somebody sketch out how tolerance tables are carried out? and hypoxic training too..

thanks!