Michael Phelps’ Coach Describes the Difference in Training Strategies Between Legendary Swimmer and New Disciple

When a young kid aspires to be a legendary swimmer, he enters rigorous training sessions and makes sacrifices. Michael Phelps followed that for the best part of his childhood. Training under coach Bob Bowman, he inspired a whole generation of swimmers. Significantly, Bowman had an extensive role to play in his rapid growth. And now, he has a pupil under him who looks motivated to create tides in the pool. 

Leon Marchand came close to breaking Phelps’ only standing world record- a 400-meters individual medley. At first it was highly possible that he would break it in the distant future. A contradicting story out of this is Bowman’s arrival in the picture. As the renowned trainer played a significant role in his upbringing, Marchand wanted the same and started training under his belt. Was Bowman going all in with Marchand? Certainly not now. 

Coach Bowman’s different strategy

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Phelps set 4:03.84 in the 400-meter IM. Coach Bowman put him through various challenges, like filling his goggles with water and other unique obstacles that helped him become an outstanding swimmer. Training every day with an ambition to become the best, Phelps was tailor made for swimming. However, Bowman adopts a rather subtle approach for Marchand. 

“They’re similar in that they swim a lot of events….We’ll take it a step at a time. I’ve been very cautious with Leon. I haven’t trained him SUPER-hard. I want to gradually bring him along. I’m trying to let the way he reacts sort of dictate what we do, instead of forcing him into some program,” mentioned Bowman. With this new approach, Marchand was close to breaking Phelps’ IM record, as he set 4:04.28. 

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Now is this approach soft? Phelps certainly thinks so as Bowman responded to those claims. “Oh, yeah. He calls me ‘soft,’ but I prefer to think of it as ‘better.’”

Training tips from Michael Phelps’ playbook

Blooming with confidence, Leon Marchand is the new kid on the block. With Bowman taking time to go hard on him, there are pointers from Phelps’ training sessions that could be fruitful. He mentioned five vital tips that would be beneficial for Marchand, as well as other swimmers. 

• Embracing drills are critical for a swimmer to becoming world-class. Phelps threw some limelight on endurance. 
• Swimming with training equipment helps a swimmer. His love for music is not a secret as he uses his water-proof headphones.
• Hitting weights improves one’s physical conditioning, which automatically helping a swimmer inside the pool. 
• Although he never skipped training, rest is a crucial aspect of his training routines. Sleeping well remains necessary.
• Training your brain and visualizing the finish line helps swimmers get a clear advantage. 

As Bowman is taking a step back before he goes into full throttle, a budding swimmer looks for inspiration and motivation to move forward. To sum up, Marchand has one of the greatest swimming coaches under his belt, and it probably won’t be far to see him fulfilling his potential. 

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