The video below is courtesy of Michael Phelps‘ Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/michaelphelps/videos/10153710653616247/
Michael Phelps went live again to keep fans updated with his summer swimming preparations on Facebook. He went live five days ago, and you can see the video here.
During his live session via his phone, Phelps gets some cupping work done and plenty of elite swimmers make appearances throughout. Some guests on his live session included Conor Dwyer, Missy Franklin, Allison Schmitt, Cierra Runge, and more. Phelps answered a ton of questions throughout the video, so check it out to see where he’s at with just under a month before the Olympic Trials.
He closes the video telling fans that he’s going to head out to the golf course with Dwyer later today. Go to the 19:50 mark to see what he says about his taper this summer.
Phelps is the winningest Olympian of all time, with 18 gold medals and 22 overall. He’ll look to add to that count this summer, with his best shots individually coming in the 100 and 200 fly along with the 200 IM.
Most recently, Phelps swam at the Arena Pro Swim Series stop in Mesa, Arizona. There, he notched 2016 bests in the 200 fly (1:58.14), the 200 IM (1:57.90), and the 200 free (1:48.21). Next up for Phelps will be the 2016 Elite Invite in Austin, TX. He opted to compete here instead of the two Pro Swim Series stops in Santa Clara and Indianapolis, which will be running concurrently to the Austin meet.
But where is the video?
I love Missy!
I think Phelps certainly does not need a full taper, but I’d want to be sure that even with Conger and Shields potentially racing best times that he still at least touches 2nd. That 100 fly final is going to be incredibly fast.
Regardless of how much he tapers, I think Bob should plan for Phelps to be able to go around 50.6 in Omaha in order to be safe. Just being under 51 might not be good enough with Conger and Shields gunning for him.
Will he fully taper for trials?
That would be the most stupid thing to do. And of course it will not happen.
He has no competition in his events, 100 fly/200 fly/200 IM, and can qualify just rested. Keep the full taper for the biggest meet of the year. The goal is not the US trials. The goal is Rio.
I always repeat the same thing but the American swimmers who will shine in Rio and swim their best times of the year there are those who will qualify without peaking at trials.
Bobo while I agree that is true on 200 fly im he may be left out on 100 fly and 100/200’free relay if he doesn’t deliver at least 90%
BoBO forgot that the Us trials is not like the French trials – there is much more hungry swimmers who want to make it to Rio + much more talent around .
That is true, I don’t think anyone in the US has beat him in 200 meter fly since Tom Malchow.
The goal for this summer is Rio? Really Bobo?
Wow. I never knew this and I’m sure neither are everyone here and Phelps.
You are welcome to repeat to eternity that French weren’t fully tapered and they will not win medals anywhere close to 2012, but please stop talking non sense about American swimmers.
Hahaha. People can only have opinions about their countrymen? I mean, at first I was like, “Good luck with that one,” but as I give it more thought I have to say it kind of would make the world a quieter, less hostile place… Maybe worth extending to world leaders.
Will Phelps actually win any events in Rio?? That’s the question
He will.
To start off, there is that easy 4×200 for gold.
No guarantees and they’ll all be tough races, but he’s the obvious favorite in the 200 IM… In the 100 fly, I might bet the field vs. Phelps but there’s no one else I give a better shot. Same for the 200 fly, IMO. I’d pick him to win the 200 free, too, but expect he’ll choose fly instead – not doubling up at this age!
Lol. Isn’t that the question for every swimmer going into Rio? It just takes one good race to knock a sure bet off his/her game; just look at Magnussen/Adrian in the 100 in London or Adlington/Ledecky in the 800.
He gave some good shout outs to fellow greats such as Thorpe, Agnel, and Ledecky. Even said Yannick could take down that 1:42 of Biedermanns, but I don’t think his heart is in it anymore with the times he’s put up these past few years.
I also like how he said that outside of protein he doesn’t take any supplements and tries to get everything from food.
Phelps’ trainer stated Phelps has squatted 385 pounds x 2. That is remarkable, and probably makes Phelps one of the strongest swimmers on earth.
That’s heavy, but nowhere close to the strongest swimmer on earth. I know plenty of college swimmers that can put that weight up.
That is Nathan Adrian’s warm up weight after he is done rope towing a Subaru.
Practically true. Cal had to special order dumb bells greater than 120 lbs to challenge him.
1) Where did you see that; I would like to read that very badly.
2) Assuming plenty of sprinters are stronger than that, though.
Something else up on here mentioned he doubled his max squat recently, so if he’s up to near 400 lbs now I could buy it.
I take it back, it’s on the video. Sick nasty.
Pretty sure there was a video this past year on SwimSwam of Ryan Lochte spotting Arianna Vanderpoole Wallace as she was squatting 380 lbs.
It was 355…but point still holds true I’d say.
http://swimswam.com/swimmings-toptentweets-of-the-week-6-beisel-throws-it-back-to-her-first-olympic-medal/
That is remarkable fir an athlete in any sport and incredible for a swimmer!
No. That is pedestrian. An average young man who trains for a year can expect to be this strong. I am shocked to hear that a professional athlete who is training his squat strength could possibly be this weak.
That’s not true. It’s well into the advanced standard for the 198 weight class, and is easily within the weight range that would be competitive in local powerlifting competition. If you think a 385 squat for an athlete is week, I suspect you might be thinking of those football half-depth “squats” that artificially tack an extra 250 onto your squat.
I’m thinking of a below parallel back squat. It is weak for an athlete that has presumably been training with weights for the last fifteen years. It must be that it is not important for Phelps to be strong in this way.
Yes, and let’s also remember that many football players are juicing with steroids and/or growth hormone. It was true of my college (D3) football team. And Jack also said “local”. Personally, it makes me nervous to see an elite swimmer going very heavy on squats. I’d rather see them opt for the safer, more back friendly Bulgarian squat, a.k.a. Rear leg elevated split squat.
Here is my question: even if it is pedestrian, what does it matter? The important question isn’t “How strong is he?” The important question is “Will it help him be a better racer?” Lochte was doing monster workouts before 2012 and it served him moderately well at best.
Looking at London, it could also be safe to say he was overtrained..
Let’s ask Bob and then really enjoy his complete non-answer.
I think that is Awesome what you are doing by going live!
I know that this probably will not get to you but just in case my son is coming to the Olympic Trials Finals on Thursday-Saturday for his 13th.Birthday gift from mom in hopes of meeting you.
His name is Ahmad Woodson from USA Virginia Swimming with 4 years under his belt.
Ahmad just started making his State Cuts this year as a 12 year old in his 50 (SCY) 50 $ 200 ( LC ) Breast Stroke.
His most challenging stroke is his Fly and he work extra on it after 2 hours of practice everyday so that he can build it up because… Read more »