Swim Toys

RE: Swim Toys

Allen Stark — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 03:48:23 GMT

Agree about the MP snorkel. It stays on straighter when sprinting and is very comfortable on my head, but YMMV.

RE: Swim Toys

habu987 — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 03:28:57 GMT

If you haven't used a snorkel before, just know that not all snorkels are created equal. I've used the Speedo Hydralign, Finis snorkel, and am currently using the MP Focus snorkel--I can't speak for anyone else, but I personally like the MP snorkel the best. I also highly recommend a nose clip if you're sensitive to water going up your nose.

RE: Swim Toys

polka_stripes — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 03:05:11 GMT

Sounds like a snorkel is going on my Christmas list! Thanks everyone!

RE: Swim Toys

flystorms — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 02:00:19 GMT

I like using the snorkel with paddles - but I use my paddles as a kickboard, so to speak. I keep them well in front of me in a streamlined position and it forces you to use your core a bit more than using a kickboard. Plus it's much easier on the shoulders.

RE: Swim Toys

Allen Stark — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 04:02:23 GMT

During kicking it gives better body position than kicking with a board. Full stroke with a snorkel takes moving your head out of the equation allowing focus on other aspects of the stroke. It also allows for going slower, which can further help isolate mvements. Additionally, if you have a sore neck you can still swim.

RE: Swim Toys

habu987 — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 03:45:26 GMT

I've been debating buying one, why do you like them? A snorkel is my #1 piece of gear, with short fins a distant 2nd. For me, the snorkel helps with head and body position, constant low level hypoxic training, and has helped me with some pulling technique issues.

RE: Swim Toys

Celestial — Sun, 11 Aug 2019 08:18:16 GMT

I tried swimming with music, and the rush of water, (or maybe it’s my own blood flow, who knows) made it unenjoyable. I also have a smart watch, but it annoys me when I swim breaststroke, because the strap will catch the water, so I only use it for OW races. My favorite toy(s) - other than goggles (remember when goggles were new?!!) are my pull body and paddles. Sometimes I’ll put on fins for a kick set, and I make myself use my snorkel for at least 4-500 every workout, but only because I know it’s good for me.

RE: Swim Toys

orca1946 — Sat, 10 Aug 2019 11:58:09 GMT

Marsh-monster. Welcome to the forums! For music, our coach does not like it in practice, but on my own it's great! I use finis and they stay on in all strokes and flips turns.

RE: Swim Toys

polka_stripes — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:15:34 GMT

Swim toys required: Worth buying - swim snorkel I've been debating buying one, why do you like them?

RE: Swim Toys

polka_stripes — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 12:13:28 GMT

When I started wearing a swim watch, my speed and endurance improved immensely. The immediate feedback was crucial to encouraging me to swim longer and faster, and I've been steadily improving ever since I started wearing one. I like my Garmin 735xt - it's great for both open water and pool swims, and since it's built for triathletes has options for running and biking too. I'm not a triathlete, but I do the occasional cross train, and I love having everything I might need in one watch. It's relatively low profile; I haven't noticed it impacting my technique at all. In terms of equipment, I'm a paddle aficionado. I've had strong legs most of my life, but to increase my speed (especially in open water), I needed to focus on my shoulder and arm strength and my pulling technique. I'm a big fan of the Finis agility paddles.

RE: Swim Toys

emarsh — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 06:33:49 GMT

Swim toys required: goggles swimsuit (though you can find some places where even this is optional) Worth buying - swim snorkel All else is optional Now, YMMV, but I think: Swim watches mess with your form, unless you wear one on each wrist (balance is important in swimming) Swim headphones are crazy ... swimming is the one place in the world we can immerse ourselves largely free of the aural assault ... enjoy the meditative quality of the sound of water Swimming as naked as possible is great. Well swimming naked.... Well I could swim naked, but they would cart me away to jail... that would be bad. I don't have a private pool, I could rent out a pool but, I am broke, so that is not an option for me. As far as all the other toys go... I see many people with swim watches, I am not sure if the technology is easy to use or if it a pain in ... I used several watches when I trained and did Iron man. I found them to be not user friendly and hard to use. I ended up just using heart rate. The miles swam, run, and biked were just now easy to use (this was in 2004). I lift now, and swim... so tracking is done manually. Just looking to be one of the cool kids if it is easy and feasible.

RE: Swim Toys

Patrick W. Brundage — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 07:38:37 GMT

RE: Swim Toys

emarsh — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 07:31:30 GMT

Found some good tips under solo swimmers. I guess I forgot about that thread!