I am looking at TYR's Aquablade with the "tripwires" that create drag to remove different kinds of drags. Fastskin II's which strategically place dimples to redirect eddies and flow, Arena's Powerskin with the light and slippery, water-resistant, superhero fabric and one or two other brands.
The statistics stating that the most gold medal winners wore Speedo fastskins doesn't hold water. (get it? Pun intended.) If Speedo paid Phelps 100 million dollars to wear a dead cow around his neck and swim, he would have. And if they paid him 100 million more he would have won too.
USMS has an article saying speedsuits are primarily psychological.
Are any of you satisfied with your speedsuits? Have you tried several brands? What's your take?
Right now I have been very happy with TYR's quality over that off Speedo. I am wearing a TYR fusion and it feels fast and is extremely durable. now wear TYR suits but Speedo gogles
Former Member
A golfer told me today he'd bought a $400 driver for Christmas. He said, "You can't buy a swing, so buy a driver."
I noticed a difference with the bodyskin. Was it really better training and a taper? Was it psychological? Or did the suit affect resistance and buoyancy that much? I think it was a combination. I will say that two years ago my legskins did not compensate for my lack of training at that time.
Originally posted by Tom Ellison
In order to compete in a field of swimmers using Speedo 2000 racing suites a few years ago I purchased one. I discovered that it dropped 15 to 30 seconds off my 1650/1500 meter times. I did not want to shell out the dollars to buy this suit, but I wanted to remain as competitive as everyone else in my field. Trust me, they work, they reduce times and if you want to run with the big dogs…..you are going to have to step up to the plate and buy one.
I have swum with my Aquablade brief since the dawn of time (well, since 2002). I've used against "big dogs" and "little dogs." I've won more races against them than I've lost. I think for most (I empahasize MOST) masters swimmers the use of full bodysuits substitutes for weight and flexibility training, as well as extra pool training.
When I'm getting ready for a race, I don't judge my competition by the suit they are wearing. It's idiotic. The suit you wear has about 5 percent to do with the outcome of a race. Sixty percent of it is mental. The rest is from training and pool conditions.
And Tom, it's wrong to praise your Speedo 2000 for your amazing drop in time. Did you train harder? Did you lift weights? Did you tone your body? I believe you would have had an amazing drop with a different suit.
I will say it one more time….I believe they reduce drag and make your times faster…..and unless you have that edge….you are giving up time.
I will say it one more time. I have no problem with body suits. Just don't sit on your butt for six months thinking you don't need to train because of that $200 suit in your closet. If you don't train, it won't help at all.
Originally posted by Jeff Commings
I think for most (I empahasize MOST) masters swimmers the use of full bodysuits substitutes for weight and flexibility training, as well as extra pool training.
I would say "some" or even "many," but "most" seems a bit harsh. Look, don't assume that if a Masters swimmer shows up wearing a bodysuit he (or she) has not put in the work and is not "worthy" of the suit. Consider what the average weekend warrior spends on running shoes, tennis rackets, golf clubs, etc. There shouldn't be a bias against those of us who choose to wear these suits.
Originally posted by Jeff Commings
don't sit on your butt for six months thinking you don't need to train because of that $200 suit in your closet. If you don't train, it won't help at all.
LOL!
When I sit on my butt for six months, my suit doesn't fit anymore!
:)
The way I look at it, my golfing friends pour thousands of dollars into a "sport" they play only on weekends. Since many of us train five or six days/week, year after year, a $300 FSII is not that extravagant.
Besides, this gives you an excuse when I kick your butt.
Craig,
My friend's sons told me that they had purchased a pair of pants for me. Instead, it was a speedo brief and a framed picture of this guy. I don't know where they got the picture. I kept asking ifthe pants were golfing pants so that I woudl have something unique to wear when we went golfing this summer ( both have just now gotten into golfing). I told them that I wanteda pair of lime green and yellow plaid pants like many used to have in the 70s.
Jeff:
When I wore my Speedo 2000 it was in the middle of my being in the best Masters condition I was ever in.....I worked hard both in the pool along with some dry land work and honestly found that suit reduced my times. When I was in shape and working out (not bragging) there were few people who worked harder.....I had very, very good coaching and top of the line swimmers to work out with every morning....and when the coach told me to leave it all in the pool during practice....that is what I did.
Heck, I have nothing to gain by saying that suit made my times drop...except to share what I believe happened....
Brent is a friend and is 100% correct on this:
The Speedo Fastskin is very helpful when it is dry. When it becomes wet, which could take as much as 3-5 minutes in a race, it is slower than an "old" Aquablade. The Fastskin is not a suit for distance (more than 200 m) swimmers.
I have used the Speedo Fastskin for many years, even when not in the best of shape it cuts about half a second on my 50 ***. I was one of the first Masters to use the Speedo 2000. I use the kneeskin, which is what breaststrokers use. And yes, the suit does not make up for my lack of training.
Jeff should try one:D
