LZR - It's Faster, but by how much ?

Hey Aquageek The passion for swimming is what makes it attractive and if changes continue to take away that passion, most people’s interest in swimming will cease to exist. In fact, too many colleges are draining their pools because of budget cuts and a general lack of interest in the sport. Also many high school and college students already hate taking P.E. and having to dress up in an uncomfortable suit is just another deterrent not to elect swimming. Although improvements in pool equipment has made some things better, it’s obvious that the basic idea of swimming – being able to experience the sensation of having your entire body in water- cannot be made “better” by adding more clothing. :shakeshead: Dolphin 2 :) I don't know of many swim programs that mandate the use of full body suits like the LZR. From what I can gather, most high schoolers on the fence about swimming would prefer more body coverage as opposed to less. Modesty has driven much of the Jammer market IMHO.

Speaking of triathlon gear.... The LA Times has discovered the latest. And come up with a great quote in the process: 'They are called "triathletes," some say, because they'll "tri" anything that might shave a second or two off their race times -- no matter how far-fetched or astronomically priced." Click the links below for photos... Water-Grabbing Wetsuit www.latimes.com/.../la-he-gear7apr07-pg,1,4800401.photogallery Comes with a 'catch' 2XU V-1 Velocity wetsuit: Ultra-high-end, long-sleeve wetsuit with a pair of slotted, 7-inch-long panels on each sleeve that grab water. Likes: Whether the feeling is psychological or real (I couldn't tell), these so-called "catch" panels do give you an advantage: Everyone else thinks they work. Buy the suit before it's banned. Fast, comfy suit includes 5-millimeter-thick neoprene panels (the maximum allowed) on the chest and thighs for flotation, 1.5 millimeters in the armpits for flexibility, and 3 millimeters on the calves. Dislikes: None. Price: $574.95. (760) 632-9300; www.2xu.com. And this, for SwimStud: One short does it all www.latimes.com/.../la-he-gear7apr07-pg,1,4800401.photogallery Oomph! Kilauea Compression Short: World's most luxurious bike-run short, with performance-enhancing weave and built-in pockets. Likes: Excellent fit and function. Constructed of 12 form-fitting panels that compress the thigh muscles, leading to better blood flow and reducing fatigue and injury. Very handy food storage; the pockets (one in the small of the back, one on each upper hip) each hold a gel flask or a couple of energy bars. A built-in belt includes Velcro strips on the front and rear to hold a race number. A compact crotch pad provides good cushioning for the bike, isn't too bulky for the run and doesn't soak up much water on the swim. Dislikes: None. Price: $140. (360) 574-5174; www.oomphsports.com. And the newest swim training tool: Counting the laps www.latimes.com/.../la-he-gear7apr07-pg,1,4800401.photogallery Finis Lap Track Five-inch-tall waterproof clock that counts laps, lap times and calories burned. Likes: Provides valuable data that make swim training more effective. Simple to use: It's like a giant button -- just press it with a couple of fingers. A red light flashes, another lap is recorded, and the clock freezes for five seconds, enough time to glance at the 1 3/8 -inch-tall clock numbers. It then resumes, including the elapsed time. Powered by 2 AAA batteries (included) and held in place on the tiles by suction cups, or sans tiles, a bracket. Dislikes: Great product -- except for super swimmers who will find pressing it during flip turns nearly impossible. Also, a narrow band of tiles poolside will present a problem; I had to turn the clock sideways to make it fit. Price: $74.99. (888) 333-4647; www.finisinc.com.

Also many high school and college students already hate taking P.E. and having to dress up in an uncomfortable suit is just another deterrent not to elect swimming. Hmmm. Last time I saw boys in PE at swimming, they were all wearing cast-off Michael Jordan basketball shorts and trying to pass them off as swim trunks. Talk about comfort and staying in touch with the water.

Here's something fun you can try. Go to your local triathlon/multi-sport store and browse the wetsuits. Find one that adds friction in the forearms. (There are quite a few models that do so it shouldn't be too hard.) When the salesman wanders over, have him explain to you why having a rough texture on your forearms makes you faster. Then just go ahead and ROFL in the middle of his speech. When he gets annoyed and wants to know why you're laughing, say "thanks man, I needed that" and leave. I have to change the air in my tires this afternoon..no time for the tri store. Do tell, what is the friction for?

Frankly as a male, I would rather go out in public pool with a suit that has a little bit more of the bikini look rather than wear something that looks like a piece of weird attire like you would see in an XXX Porno Flick. :bolt: Dolphin 2 Have you been to a kid's meet lately? It is very rare to see the old style speedo, matter of fact it stands out. I'd guess that well over 90% of kids are wearing jammers or one of the new tech suits.

I don't know of many swim programs that mandate the use of full body suits like the LZR. From what I can gather, most high schoolers on the fence about swimming would prefer more body coverage as opposed to less. Modesty has driven much of the Jammer market IMHO. Hey Scyfreestyler If modesty is an issue, the last thing you want to wear is a technical suit because the shrink wrap effect really accentuates the "male anatomy" if you know what I mean. In fact, all the photos of men in technical suits have been digitally modified to eliminate the "nose" below the waist line. :bolt: Jammers are so stretched that they aren't any better for modesty either. In fact the only way a conventional brief can be made as revealing as a jammer (or a full body suit) is to use suspenders to pull and stretch it upward. :lmao: I understand that some guys are rather well endowed and prefer a longer suit. So strictly from the viewpoint of modesty, a square cut brief will contain everything and it also has much less of the shrink wrap effect you see in a jammer. :agree: Dolphin 2

Hey Scyfreestyler If modesty is an issue, the last thing you want to wear is a technical suit because the shrink wrap effect really accentuates the "male anatomy" if you know what I mean. In fact, all the photos of men in technical suits have been digitally modified to eliminate the "nose" below the waist line. :bolt: Jammers are so stretched that they aren't any better for modesty either. In fact the only way a conventional brief can be made as revealing as a jammer (or a full body suit) is to use suspenders to pull and stretch it upward. :lmao: I understand that some guys are rather well endowed and prefer a longer suit. So strictly from the viewpoint of modesty, a square cut brief will contain everything and it also has much less of the shrink wrap effect you see in a jammer. :agree: Dolphin 2 Who told you this? :dunno: I don't think the modesty issue between jammers and briefs is about penis size or the display of such things, rather, it's about wearing something that more closely resembles a bikini bottom than a mens swim suit.

Who told you this? :dunno: I don't think the modesty issue between jammers and briefs is about penis size or the display of such things, rather, it's about wearing something that more closely resembles a bikini bottom than a mens swim suit. Hey Scyfreestyler The only thing that involves the issue of modesty in a men’s swim suit is in fact whether it makes the male anatomy too vulnerable to exposure (either explicitly or implicitly). As for the issue about the “bikini” style not being a “men’s” swim suit, a jammer has a very low cut around the lower waist just like a bikini and I’m not exactly sure how it is more masculine -nor why it would be a symbol of masculinity. :dunno: Furthermore if men are uncomfortable about wearing something that they feel may be analogous to a women’s bikini, they had better consider what the visual effect of shrink wrapping their anatomy might have on public opinion. Frankly as a male, I would rather go out in public pool with a suit that has a little bit more of the bikini look rather than wear something that looks like a piece of weird attire like you would see in an XXX Porno Flick. :bolt: Dolphin 2

Hey Scyfreestyler The only thing that involves the issue of modesty in a men’s swim suit is in fact whether it makes the male anatomy too vulnerable to exposure (either explicitly or implicitly). Dolphin 2 I think modesty is a rather personal issue. I know a few men wearing jammers who are just not fond of showing so much leg. That is modesty, but it does not adhere to your strict guideline regarding the display of a phallus.

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