Swim Bag – What’s in yours?
I am often asked about swimming equipment, or swim toys. Some folks swear by not using anything in the water. Others are so dependant on their toys they drown without them. I am somewhere down the middle. Throughout my life I have done thousands of yards kicking with no fins and no board, pulling with just my feet crossed and no paddles, that I feel a little entitled to use a few things to keep swimming interesting and to keep working on improving. I have come to accept that unless I dedicate myself to the swimmer lifestyle….. I will never see a sub 1 minute 100 yard freestyle again. I am okay with that.
I think that a lot of what’s on the market is of course…. marketing. You do need to be careful when buying your swim toys. I can’t tell you how many folks insist on buying the largest paddles, have the worst swim biomechanics and … gasp….. they end up with a shoulder injury.
You have to buy the equipment that supports your biomechanics. Not what you think they are…… what they are. Have someone tae your stroke and at the very least….. look at how you swim. Chances are it’s a lot different from what you think it is!
Here is what you will find in my swim bag:
1. The extras: Two pairs of Swedish Goggles, one pair of open water swim goggles, and four swim caps. Swimmer’s will always have extra. Probably an extra three suits in there as well. If you are at the pool with a swimmer and your cap rips, they will have extras.
2. A kickboard: $11.95 from www.Kiefer.com I like this kickboard because of how I can hold it, and it doesn’t sink. I routinely have my athletes cycle through kicking sets, but not to benefit their swimming. I have my athletes kick to increase their ankle flexibility and to help strengthen / open / engage their hip flexors. I like to kick with a kickboard because it gives me the chance to get my head out of the water and if the swim captain is swimming with me, we chat. Kicking can certainly be done prone or supine, or even on your side. Whichever gets you to do it. I don’t worry much about body position. Kicking with a kickboard won’t change your swimming position.
2. TYR Catalyst Paddles: $17.50 from www.Kiefer.com I like these paddles a lot for just about every swimmer. I recommend size medium for just about anyone. I tried the giant ones and incurred the first shoulder injury of my life. No reason to go that big. A few things you want to think of when using paddles: just like in your regular stroke keep initiating power from your core, hips and lats. If you really want to test out how your catch is, try using the paddles without the wrist strap. If you drop your elbow you will notice right away. 
3. Fins. $26.95 from www.kiefer.com click here for a picture. Again the reason I have athletes work on kicking is to increase ankle flexibility and work the hip flexors. I like to use a good old standard fin…. not split…. not angles, just a good old standard one. When kicking really focus on kicking from your hips as opposed to kicking from your knees, not with a straight leg, but a relaxed leg. In triathlon you don’t want a big kick in the swim portion, so focus on building the front end of your stroke.
4. Pull Buoy: $5-$15.00 from www.kiefer.com Click here for a picture of some of the options. Finding a good pull buoy is like finding that awesome pair of underwear. Buy three when you find it. I like a small pull buoy, but again this is really a trial and error personal choice. I see a lot of athletes kick while using a pull buoy. When executing a pull set, engage your core, and I like to have athletes lightly touch their big toes. For many this helps them lose the rear end wiggle that so many have, teaches them to swim from their core and might even help you press your T.
That’s what you will find in my swim bag. I am pretty simple. Don’t worry about becoming “addicted” to swim toys. Understand why you are using them, use them for a reason, and the rest will take care of itself!
Mary Eggers is a USAT triathlon Coach and owner of Train-This Multisport Coaching. You can follow her on her blog at www.ironmomma.com.
Category: Coaches' Tips
