Hello all,
I just swim for cardio since I have flat feet and can't run much. I've been swimming 30 mins each session for about a year now and noticed some things with some of the equipment.
Swimming jammers
- start fraying and becomes slightly see through in between the legs (Speedo) and have to buy a new one every 6 months or so. Is this normal for all? Like is this normal wear and tear or should it last longer or shorter. Have any suggestions on jammers that last longer?
Goggles
- all have the anti-fog advertisement, but every pair i've had starts to become foggy after about a month...so to reduce my cost I've been using the saliva technique, but would love a pair where it will be truly fog free for a longer time. Or is it the way I take care of them? I just throw it in my gym bag after i swim and leave it there.
MOST IMPORTANT: WATERPROOF EARPHONES
- when I used to run, i was able to watch shows and such but with swimming you really cant...and I came across some mp3 players that were waterproof and bought em. Problem is, the earbuds won't stay in my ear and disrupts my workout. I've tried three different brands and it doesn't work well. Anyone have a student cost effective yet good one they would recommend? I've gone through 2 mp3s and 3 waterproof earphones totaling about $60...now I have to spend more for earphones that are worth it. Thinking maybe i'll just get a new set to last me years. It may be my ear canals that are weird....so maybe some kind of headphones are available as well? I've searched on google but want true user reviews...
Thanks all in advance!
Lycra swimsuits don't last very long in chlorinated pools. The more polyester in the material, the longer they last. Unfortunately, polyester isn't as stretchy as lycra so it may be less comfortable. It's a trade-off you have to decide. The anti-fog coating doesn't last long on goggles and will wear off particularly quickly if you aren't gentle. I learned to rinse my goggles in my swim cap filled with shower water rather than under the spray of the shower. I also make my own anti-fog spray. I spray it on right before setting the goggles out to dry. It' one part baby shampoo and two parts water in a travel size spray bottle.
If you are looking for high quality sweat-proof headphones, the Monster iSport Strive is the perfect option for you. These headphones are designed for athletes. You can also find great model here: www.headphonesencyclopedia.com/.../. They are engineered to stay in your ear during physical activities and while you're on the go. They work well with helmets, goggles and more. You can easily clean these headphones and rinse off all the dirt and grime that gathers on these devices. They also feature antimicrobial ear tips to ensure that your ears stay clean.
I needed new earbuds for my iPhone/iPod, and so, I thought I'd be smart and go to the Dollar Tree. They have some that attach over your ears.
First, they were annoying because the over the year part didn't fit.
Second, I used them for a week and suddenly they stopped working. One ear went out and then the other. They'd work when I jiggled the cords at first, but then they just died.
I know they were only $1, but it is so worth going elsewhere and buying nicer ones!
So I would say never buy a cheap earbuds from dollar tree.
For your earbuds, try a bit of Vaseline on them before you put them in your ears... just a thin coat. It help make them stick. Clean them off with a towel when you get out.
And baby shampoo is the best anti fog there is
I don't think I could manage to listen to anything while swimming, as yet. I'm new to the activity, and I have to work to get my strokes right, my breathing right, to count laps and strokes, and so on! So for me earbuds aren't in the budget .... yet.
I find that my swim bag itself is probably the best bargain in my budget. Being able to corral all of the toys and wet stuff in one place, tote it along, and then go through it when I get home helps a ton, so I don't find I am without something I need, as I swim. I'm using the TYR one, I think it's called the big mummy bag, or something like that. It's big and mine is bright, so I can spot it in the lockers, too.
I know it's an old thread, but I use and love the Under Water Audio ones www.amazon.com/.../ref=sr_1_4 They don't come out. As in, sometimes when I'm done swimming and I try to take them out, the silicon part stays in my ear and detaches from the ear bud.
And if you are careful about your playlist, you can pick songs paced to the tempo you're striving for so that your stroke matches the beat. While my Apple Watch keeps track of the laps anyways, I can also tell roughly where I am in my lap count by where I am in the playlist. (Eg- 3 songs for the crawl interval, 3 songs for kick drill, 3 songs for the pull, etc.)
