I am an extreme amatuer in swimming but would like to step it up and swim for fitness and make it a life long activity.
I know speedos are the swim suit of choice to reduce drag but since I'm just starting out I don't want to look like a fool and I just wear normal swim trunks. When would be a good time make the transition? When I'm confortable enough to were them (ie in good enough shape :))? When I reach a certain fitness level (can swim x distance in x time)? Any opinions/suggestions?
Former Member
Ouch, I didn't need to hear that! I have lost about 20 pounds since I went to jammers (and had lost about 15 before). But I still have a ways to go (15-20 more) - but I must look like more than that!:(
Think I'll do 500 extra tomorrow. :)
There are various styles of practice suits, and you may be able to find one that is more comfortable. Scansy suggested the "jammer" type suit which looks more like biking shorts. There are also suits that have just a little higher waist and more "boy cut" legs, but are still much tighter than your boxers, so the drag is reduced.
The HS boys all where drag suits over their speeds, and some men too. These are usually larger nylon suits that they wear over the speedo. Some also where more than one speedo, for comfort, modesty and the fact their suits become see through very quickly.
Woman do not have the same issues as men, but I remember first trying to find a "fitness" suit I was comfortable in and as I swam more, I slowly transisted into the "normal" speedo with the higher leg, just because they fit better for swimming laps. Once you try a regular speedo out, you will probably never go back to the baggy boxers!
I have never got a lot of use from Speedo. I wash my suit in in the shower after a swim. Still I have not gotten the mileage out of Speedo. A name brand can be put on anything and marketing is real big. Areana, Speedo, Tyr will all work fine. If a Speedo Type suit is what you need for reduced drag to improve go for it..dont worry about what others think. Most people have their own thoughts and issues in a million different ways and are at the pool to swim, exercise and for lots of people to clear ther mind.
I just added the lenght of use you will get to let you know you'll be buying more suits.
