So I swam with some guys today who were using some homemade device that was essentially some surgical type tubing connected to a belt that you placed around your waist. By the time you get half way acrossed the pool it hits you that it's going to take a LOT of effort to make it to the other side! My first attempt I got to about 20 yards and quit...I was seeing no progress. After being riled by these two swimmers I decided to give it my all and see what happens. Well, I made it to the wall a couple of times after the first attempt. It takes a bunch of strong kicking and some very high elbow/rapid turnover stroking to reach the wall but it is attainable. The last 5 yards are slow going but swimming back with the help of the tubing is such a delight.
Anyhow, short of building these things myself, does anybody know where I could buy something already set up? I think it will make a great training tool for me. After a few of those resistance runs I swam a 50 and breezed in under 30 without putting forth a raceworthy effort. The resistance forces you to utilize proper high elbow technique and fast turnover.
The Senior/National group on our age group team uses these and it is a good tool. One day I saw the coach working with the distance kids just in place with it. The coach said this method was very hard, the kids hate it, but very effective for what she was trying to teach. My son always loved taper time and swimming with the tether to get used to the speed on the way back.
Former Member
Once our Masters got to try them during long course season. I had to use fins to get the entire 50m distance and even then it was hard, including just hanging on the far wall to rest a few seconds before heading back. Coming back was even harder ! Coach would haul us in so there was no slack when we got most of the way back. Probably just as much work for coach as for us.
Another use is to put two swimmers going opposite directions on each end of a shorter cord in the middle of the pool and do a tug of war thing trying to drag the enemy backwards etc.
There is a lot of tension on the rubber tubing and when it snaps it can cause injuries. Good idea to inspect before each use. I think we got a big spool of tubing from a medical supply company to save $.
Former Member
Stretch Cordz www.recreonics.com/stretch_cordz.htm Iuse thes in mexico when I am in a short pool at the campground pool, works fine. Also good in a 25 meter pool about one yard from the end swimming all out and not moving.
Former Member
I realize this is an older thread but it ties in nicely w/what I'm wondering:
Would you recommend this cord system for a person swimming one mile p/day in a 25 yard pool? My pool's new lap swim schedule is not meshing w/my work schedule so I'm trying to get my laps in during the open pool session. I'm looking for something that I can attach to the side rail and will allow me to swim w/o going anywhere. Any help would be appreciated.
Stephanie,
Having trained with stretch cords, I would say yes you can get in a decent workout on a short cord. However, there are a few things to note. First since you are swimming in place there is a different feel for the water; no sense of movement and increased resistance on your pull. This can cause some people to adjust their stroke to compensate. Second, it can bet a bit boring, since a number of us measure our workout in terms of yards. With a StrechCordz there are no yards, only strokes and minutes. Also because you are swimming in place there are no turns, which is good if you are training for open water swims, some pool swimmers need their walls.
I find that StrechCordz can’t replace a real workout, but they can be used as a training aid and are useful in pools that don’t have lap swimming. A number of USMS partners carry cords including Kiefer, Kast-A-Way and SwimOutlet. You can get cords through their websites, which can be found at www.usms.org/links
Former Member
I realize this is an older thread but it ties in nicely w/what I'm wondering:
Would you recommend this cord system for a person swimming one mile p/day in a 25 yard pool? My pool's new lap swim schedule is not meshing w/my work schedule so I'm trying to get my laps in during the open pool session. I'm looking for something that I can attach to the side rail and will allow me to swim w/o going anywhere. Any help would be appreciated.
Get an endless type pool and put it in your garage.
Former Member
I have seen a lot of swimmers (especially at the college level) use the cords in the opposite direction. Where the coach walks down the pool and then pulls the swimmer in so they are flying down the pool with the tension of the cord and pulls of the coach.
I thought it was interesting so I asked and they said it was to simulate racing and getting used to going fast in the water. If you are going so fast you understand where the drag is better.
Just commenting on how else you could use it
Former Member
Thank you for the replies.
I totally understand needing walls. I love my flip-turns and know I'd miss them, so I'm thinking I may pick-up a cord for the times I truly can't get into a lane.
As for installing an endless pool in my garage, :groovy: I think my husband may have something to say about that since he's currently using it as "Man Land" so it is full of tools and such. If I ever come into a few extra grand though, I'd love to have one just off of our patio...
Thanks for the help!
Former Member
Memories. I no longer swim at that pool, nor do I see any of those people.
Former Member
Memories. I no longer swim at that pool, nor do I see any of those people.
Yeah funny thing is nobody wants to be seen with thethers and rubber tubing since the "NASA diaper road trip" incident I guess :rofl:
