Why is Michael Phelps such a swimming phenomenon? More importantly, who doesn't agree with me that Michael Phelps' speedo is my new favorite brand of swimsuits?
The first place to start is with Michael Phelps incredible body. He stands 6-4 with a wingspan of nearly 80 inches. By all accounts, his frame is perfect for a swimmer. Michael understands how to use his body to its full advantage (oh really? ;-)).
As a swimmer, his physical attributes give him a huge headstart ... his hands and feet are like paddles in the water, and he has an incredibly powerful kick. The butterfly is his signature stroke, but he’s shown the ability to dominate in any event. Michael Phelps’s swimming technique is excellent, and no one seems to work harder at it.
Michael Phelps swim training regimen is grueling—two to five hours a day in the pool. He does minimal weightlifting; at this point flexibility and a feel for the water are more important to him. (Maybe that's his excuse in wearing a super small speedo? ) The leg strength Michael added during his 2007 wrist-injury rehab was evident in Beijing on his powerful turns.
In the swimming events where he trailed, he made up an extraordinary amount of time pushing off the wall. Which meant that in the races he won on speed alone, he was also winning by a greater margin after each turn. That extra power in Michael Phelps kick also bought him the hundredth of a second edge he needed to come from behind in the 100-meter butterfly. I’m sure we all remember that race with butterflies in our stomach.
His physique notwithstanding, (along with his spectacular swimming fashion sense), endurance may be Michael Phelps’s single greatest asset. He’s able to hold his swimming stroke under pressure when fatigue begins to creep in. From a mind over matter standpoint, Michael is also off the charts. His ability to relax, focus and block out the pain all at once is unique in his sport. He never seems nervous before a race, yet his intensity on the starting block is unmatched.
It is awe-inspiring how amazing Michael Phelps, swimmer extrodinaire, actually is. I continually write articles about Michael Phelps bathing suits (small ones of course, and speedo is my favorite), and my desire to see Michael Phelps naked, but today I thought I should just remind myself and all the readers just what an incredibly accomplished athlete Michael Phelps really is.
I welcome your comments or tributes to Micheal Phelps. I would especially welcome comments from an expert in fluid dynamics who could discuss the performance advantages of Michael Phelps' speedo being really super teeny tiny. I’m being serious. Really.
