Why Swimmers are Turning to Bicarb: Our Deep Dive with Freestyle Media
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While the FLYCARB team is most often found trackside, we recently took a plunge into the pool. We joined the Freestyle Media podcast to discuss how bicarb can be used by swimmers, and how FLYCARB is aiming to provide the best bicarb option on the market.
If you’re a runner, you know the "heavy legs" feeling. But for swimmers, the "burn" not only impacts power output, it also impacts technique, leading to a double-whammy slowdown.
The Metabolic Wall: Why Swimming is Different
In a high-intensity swim, whether it’s a 100m sprint or a 400m mid-distance effort, your body relies heavily on anaerobic pathways. This produces a surge of hydrogen ions (H+) in the muscles, which reduces muscle effectiveness and can lead to technique falling apart. As your core tires, your hips sink, and you transform from a "needle" into an "anchor."
(Editor’s note: us runners are always more of an anchor than a needle and no amount of bicarb will help!)
Bicarb: A "Buffer" for the Pool
During the podcast, we (Jack Gray and Josh Elston-Carr) explained the science of buffering. Sodium Bicarbonate increases your blood's pH, acting like a sponge to soak up the acidity produced during at the end of a race.
By managing the "sting" of the hydrogen ions, bicarb can help you maintain your stroke length and hip height when your competitors are starting to slow. It’s not just about more power; it’s about staying efficient for longer.
What We Covered on the Pod
Alongside the science, we also talked real-world application and comparisons between running and swimming training, including:
- Training for Tolerance: Using bicarb to hit higher intensities in your main sets.
- Avoiding the "Gut Bomb": Why the old-school "baking soda in water" method failed so many athletes, and how FLYCARB’s delivery system solves it.
- The Placebo Question: Is it all in your head? (Spoiler: The physiological data says otherwise)
Listen to the Episode
Ready to see how the science of the "burn" applies to your next gala or triathlon swim? Listen Now
Try it Yourself: Visit our shop and listen to the pod to get a discount code!