Greetings
I use a pull buoy all the time when I swim in the pool. I am clearly able to go faster, farther and at a lower heart rate with one than without. My tri friends say don't worry about it. It approximates my body position in a wetsuit as well. My pool swimming friends tell me to get rid of it and learn balance. If I could see some value in not using it for my open water swimming I would make myself stop using one. If there is no real value in not using one I will probably continue. All feedback appreciated.
Regards
Spudfin
There was a point earlier in the year when I'd hurt my knee and the only way I could get any kind of distance was by using a pull buoy. But lately I don't use it at all, just thinking I'll get a sense of false security about my speed, since I don't have a wetsuit and don't plan to get one (eventually I probably will, but for now, have to watch my $$$).
When my knee was recovering, I weaned off the pull buoy by alternating and gradually increasing the yards I did w/out the pull buoy, swimming as long as I could without it and when the knee began to twinge, going back to it. The distance I could go w/out it gradually got longer, so I could complete an hour w/out using it, and around the same time, my running was getting better.
Another way I've used them is to increase my distance gradually (not during the past few months when I skipped it altogether but in the winter): I'd swim my goal distance part with/part without the pull buoy, then decrease the yards I was using it, so the distance was all "my own." Just wanted to get my body used to going longer gradually.
Sometimes I'll use a warm-up that my first masters' coach would prescribe: 200 swim/200 kick/200 pull/200 swim, which lets me work on both the kick and stroke, and that pull buoy feels so good after the kickboard! But lately not even this... just all swimming.
I have to admit, I kinda like using them, but I always have to remind myself, it's not my real speed.
There was a point earlier in the year when I'd hurt my knee and the only way I could get any kind of distance was by using a pull buoy. But lately I don't use it at all, just thinking I'll get a sense of false security about my speed, since I don't have a wetsuit and don't plan to get one (eventually I probably will, but for now, have to watch my $$$).
When my knee was recovering, I weaned off the pull buoy by alternating and gradually increasing the yards I did w/out the pull buoy, swimming as long as I could without it and when the knee began to twinge, going back to it. The distance I could go w/out it gradually got longer, so I could complete an hour w/out using it, and around the same time, my running was getting better.
Another way I've used them is to increase my distance gradually (not during the past few months when I skipped it altogether but in the winter): I'd swim my goal distance part with/part without the pull buoy, then decrease the yards I was using it, so the distance was all "my own." Just wanted to get my body used to going longer gradually.
Sometimes I'll use a warm-up that my first masters' coach would prescribe: 200 swim/200 kick/200 pull/200 swim, which lets me work on both the kick and stroke, and that pull buoy feels so good after the kickboard! But lately not even this... just all swimming.
I have to admit, I kinda like using them, but I always have to remind myself, it's not my real speed.
