The Various Types of Swim Paddles

Swim paddles are an effective way for swimmers to strengthen their strokes and improve their form in the water. This important training tool is a great way for you to enhance your swimming naturally so you can improve your swim times and win more races. However, there are a vast number of swim paddles available on the market. Therefore, it is important to know about each of the types you can buy and why they are used so you don’t find yourself using something that isn’t going to help you.

What Are Paddles?

The first step is to learn just what swim paddles are and their intended purpose. Many swimmers choose to purchase these paddles as a way to learn how to swim properly. The truth is swim paddles are meant to be used by those who already have their technique down and need to strengthen their stroke or those who are working on a specific aspect of their stroke. If you are looking for the perfect paddles for any other purpose, it is best to choose another method for improving your stroke, such as positioning exercises and kicking exercises.

The Variety of Paddles

There are so many kinds of swim paddles, it can be difficult to talk about each one. Every company seems to make a different type of paddle to help swimmers increase the resistance of the water against their hands. The paddles can range from plastic squares with holes punched through them to molded paddles, backstroke paddles, spring paddles and antipaddles. Each of these paddles comes in a variety of sizes to change the amount of resistance you experience as you swim through the water or to fit the hands of every swimmer. Because of the variety of sizes and styles, it is important to work with a professional who can help you choose the right options for your needs instead of simply choosing what you have seen others use or that you think will work best.

The Design

In the past, the swim paddles that were available were made from solid plastic, giving swimmers the added resistance in the water. However, this caused swimmers to lose a feel for the water, making it more difficult to swim without the paddles on. Today, the design has been changed to allow for holes in the paddles that create the same resistance as the old design, while still allowing swimmers to keep a feel for the water, making the transition between wearing paddles and swimming without them much easier.

Moderation

Just like any other training method, it is important to use your swim paddles in moderation. It is also important to know how to use them properly to avoid causing unnecessary strain on your shoulders, which can lead to injury. If you have a good technique, you should be able to use the swim paddles on a regular basis. However, if you are working to improve your stroke technique, it is best to only use your paddles briefly to serve as a checkpoint for your progress. No matter how you use them, though, they should never be a part of your workout for the entire practice.

Training

Not all swim paddles are only designed to increase the power and strength of those who already have a strong technique. Some paddles are specifically designed as training tools to perfect the stroke. Each of these paddles serves a different purpose. For instance, some of them are designed to improve vertical motion, while others are meant to increase water perception. These pads can be used on a regular basis until your technique is correct.

With all the types of swim paddles available, it is important to make sure you talk to someone who knows how each one is used. If you use these paddles improperly, you can end up hurting your stroke and even injuring your body, causing you to have to work even harder to accomplish an improved swimming technique. However, with proper use, you will be able to reap all the benefits and improve your performance.

The Proper Care for Swim Team Suits

Swim teams often choose swim team suits that match each other and come in the team’s colors to ensure everyone looks as uniform as possible. Just as any other sports team, professional or amateur, will all wear the same uniform with the same colors and designs, so will swimmers who enter a competition as a team. These suits don’t have to be extremely expensive, but if you are looking for the best functionality out of a suit, including less restriction and a smoother material, you need to spend a little more. This makes taking care of your swim team suit critical to ensure it lasts as long as possible to avoid expensive replacements.

The Material

Competitive swimwear comes in a variety of man-made materials that are specifically designed for the swimmer. Some of the most common materials for these swim team suits include Lycra, spandex and polyester. The fibers from which these suits are made are woven from extremely thin threads that are woven tightly together to create a solid, smooth material that will allow the water to flow smoothly with less resistance. Even though these materials may be resistant to chlorine, sunscreen chemicals and body oils, they still need special care to ensure the quality of the suit is maintained for a longer period of time, especially with prolonged exposure to these elements.

Prerinsing

Many swimmers simply change out of their suits at the pool and plan to wash them when they get home. While it isn’t necessary for you to wash your swim team suits while you are at the pool, it is important to at least rinse it out with clean running water before you head home from a practice or an event. Rinse your suit for at least a few minutes to remove as much of the chlorine and body oils and sweat as possible. Avoid stretching or wringing out the suit to avoid pulling it out of shape or putting unnecessary stress on the fibers within the material. Don’t forget to take your suit out as soon as you get home to prevent molding.

Hand Washing

Even if you put your recreational swimsuit in the washer and dryer, it is important to never put your swim team suits in the washing machine or the dryer. Instead, fill a sink with cold water and add a tablespoon or so of a mild detergent. There are some detergents that are marketed specifically for washing competitive swimwear. Turn your suit inside out and place it in the water and detergent solution. Swish the suit around in the water with your hands for a few minutes. Drain the sink and rinse the suit thoroughly with clean water until you remove all the detergent. Gently squeeze out as much water as possible once it is clean. Remember, never use bleach and never wring out swim team suits.

Drying

Just like you shouldn’t put your swim team suits in the washer, they should never go in the dryer. The heat from the dryer, even on an air fluff cycle, can cause damage and excess wear to the fibers, reducing the efficiency and life of your suit. Instead, simply spread your suit out flat to dry; however, it is important to keep it out of direct sunlight to avoid fading its colors. Even though this method of drying can take a long time, especially if humidity is high in your area, it is critical to avoid adding heat to dry the suit. You should also never use an iron on the suit. Instead, allow wrinkles to fall out on their own by hanging the suit up.

Taking proper care of swim team suits is essential to maintain the color and other important properties of the suit. It also eliminates the need to replace your suit too often, costing you even more money. As long as you follow the proper steps in caring for your suit and keeping it clean after practices and meets, your swim team suits will last you for much longer than it would if you treated it like any other recreational suit you may have owned.

Swimmers Use Swim Lane Ropes and More to Judge Positioning

As swimmers move through the water during their practices or their competitions, they always need to be aware of where they are in the pool. A swimmer who doesn’t know his exact position could end up with problems as he makes his way from one end of the pool to the other. Without swim lane rope, for instance, swimmers could end up colliding into each other or swimming in a different direction without realizing it. Other problems swimmers can encounter include running into the wall instead of turning around, costing him the race.

Lines

At the bottom of the pool, between the swim lane ropes, you will find painted lines on the bottom of the pool. While the swimmers aren’t always able to look at the bottom of the pool, they will catch glimpses of these lines as they move through the water. These dark colored lines are designed to help the swimmers stay on the proper path in a straight line from one side of the pool to the other. The cross bars at the ends of these lines also helps the swimmer identify when he is approaching the end of the pool.

Swim Lane Ropes

The swim lane ropes are another critical aspect to help swimmers stay in their own lane while they are swimming. These ropes are equipped with floating rings that come in a variety of colors. In many pools, the colors of the floating rings will alternate in the middle of the pool. As you approach the end of the pool, only one color is used, helping the swimmers see when they are approaching the end of the pool so they can complete their turns. For other pools, a different color-coded system may be used to allow you to identify where you are in the pool.

Flag Lines

While swim lane ropes are perfect for any swimmer to get an idea of where he is in the pool, flag lines are another essential marker when swimmers are completing the backstroke. This is because backstroke swimmers don’t turn their heads to one side or the other as they swim to see the swim lane ropes. They also can’t see the markings on the bottom of the pool. Therefore, they need a clear way to tell when they are approaching the end of the pool to avoid running into it instead of completing the turn or touching the wall to finish the race.

Lighting

In addition to the colors of the swim lane ropes, the lighting in the pool can also help the swimmer identify where he is in the pool for the best results. Even though the lights themselves don’t indicate a specific position in the pool, it is important to have the best lighting possible to illuminate the other positioning indicators in the pool. For instance, underwater lighting is essential to help the swimmer see the marking at the bottom of the pool. Proper overhead lighting also helps the swimmer see the swim lane ropes better.

Goggles

All swimmers need to wear goggles to protect their eyes. However, these goggles provide more than just protection for the eyes. The goggles also provide the swimmer with clearer vision so they can more easily see the swim lane ropes as they move through the water or the flags used when swimmers are completing the backstroke. The ability to see where you are in the pool is essential to your success. Some goggles even come in prescription lengths so people with less-than-perfect vision can still see the identifying makers.

Being able to see where you are in the pool at any given time is important to ensure you do well in your race. Understanding all the tools installed at the pool to help you determine where you are is critical to your success. Swim lane ropes, painted lines, flag lines, lighting and the right goggles are all important tools for any pool to offer, allowing swimmers to stay on the right course and identify where the end of the pool is located.

Protect Your Feet with Water Aerobics Shoes

If you have ever spent time in a pool, you know how scratchy and irritating the floor of the pool can be on your feet, especially when you spend a long period of time in the water as you would while performing water aerobics. Because of this irritating feeling, there are many people who quickly give up on water aerobics, despite the benefits you receive from exercising in the water. Instead of giving up, though, you can turn to water aerobics shoes to protect your feet.

Protection

The top benefit of water aerobics shoes is the protection they provide to your feet. When you wear a pair of these specially-designed shoes, you will no longer feel the scratchy surface of the pool bottom as you work through your aerobics routine. It can also prevent injury if there is any debris at the bottom of the pool that you could step on. Even though these shoes don’t offer much support, it is better to wear them for some support.

Special Features

Water aerobics shoes are unlike any other type of shoe you will ever wear anywhere else. For instance, these shoes are often made from a mesh-like material that allows the water to flow out of the shoes as soon as you leave the water. For some shoes, the material may also be quick drying, allowing you to avoid the heavy, wet feeling you can get from wearing other shoes in the water. Some water aerobics shoes also offer a removable insole to allow you to make adjustments to improve the feel of the shoe on your foot.

Adjustability

One of the major differences in water aerobics shoes is the ability to make adjustments. If you require a softer cushioning in your shoe, you may be able to purchase water shoes that offer air cushioned insoles. If your current water aerobics shoes don’t have these insoles, you may be able to add them in. Other shoes offer the ability to adjust the ankle straps to ensure your comfort while you are working out in the water.

Fashion Forward Option

Even if you are working out in the water, you still want to look your best. This is why many people choose to wear water aerobics shoes that are attractive, as well as comfortable. Available for both men and women, these shoes look similar to their sneaker counterparts, complete with the look of laces on the top. You can purchase these shoes in a variety of colors so you can find something that matches your swimsuit or one that simply says something about your overall sense of style.

Prevent Severe Injuries

Another important reason to wear water aerobics shoes when you are working out in the water is to protect yourself against severe injuries that would result in having to take a break from working out. The ability to lose weight and build muscle relies on consistency. If you aren’t able to continue your workout routine because you were injured due to your failure to wear your water aerobics shoes, you will slow down and potentially stop your momentum before you can begin working out again.

When you make the decision to add water aerobics to your workout routine, you will experience all the benefits of working out with less stress on your body. This can allow you to lose more weight and get in shape more easily than the traditional methods of working out. Before you start your new exercise routine, though, it is important for you to purchase the right pair of water aerobics shoes. These shoes are specially designed to work well in the water and keep your feet dryer when you step out of the water. These fashion-conscious shoes allow you to protect your feet as much as possible so you can continue with your workout routine for the maximum results.