I'm curious as to which is more common -- being slower with a pull buoy or being faster, and why some people are one way rather than the other? Personally, I am far slower with a pull buoy. I attribute this to my natural buoyancy (ahem) as well as having a fairly strong kick when I want to, although I often feel as though I am not kicking very hard, so I'm not sure how much of a factor that is.
Anyway, being slow with a pull buoy becomes very frustrating in practice -- it's hard to keep up with lanemates who I am normally faster than or equal to. Not sure if there is anything to be done about that.
I am much slower with a pull buoy. My body position is normally pretty good so I think the pull buoy just puts me in a worse body position and I can't kick as well. My unscientific theory is that on the whole *well for our team anyway) the men seem to swim a lot faster with a pull buoy and the women a little bit or a lot slower with the pull buoy. Maybe something about body position and having a bit more padding around the hips to keep us floating a bit more??
I am much slower with a pull buoy. My body position is normally pretty good so I think the pull buoy just puts me in a worse body position and I can't kick as well. My unscientific theory is that on the whole *well for our team anyway) the men seem to swim a lot faster with a pull buoy and the women a little bit or a lot slower with the pull buoy. Maybe something about body position and having a bit more padding around the hips to keep us floating a bit more??
