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.
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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 $.
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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 $.
