Introduction to | EQUIPMENT | Gear

Equipment

Equipment Description Pros Cons

Ankle straps and Velcro straps or bands that hold the Facilitates engagement of core muscles. May affect the rhythm and tempo of the ankles together while swimming. Use with swimmers who incorrectly stabilize stroke since kicking is a component of Most often used with a pull buoy to his/her body with a “scissor kick”. the stroke. maintain hip and leg body position. May negatively impact body rotation in novice swimmers.

Fins Short fins Fins with short blades. Helps develop speed. If used too often may mask issues with Allows for a quicker, narrower kick. upper body propulsion. Use with novice swimmers during technique drills to maintain momentum and body position.

Long fins Fins with long blades. Helps develop speed and power for the athlete Kicking isn’t as natural as with short fins. with a stronger kick. Should be limited to teaching purposes. Appropriate for novices or swimmers with an Long fins can mask issues with upper extremely bad kick due to ankle inflexibility. body propulsion. Aids in recovery after hard ride and runs. Helps improve body position.

Kickboard Flotation device (shaped like a board). Allows swimmers to focus exclusively on Not efficient use of time for most a workout for the legs, hips and stomach triathletes because it does not allow muscles. swimmers to work on balance and body rotation. Introduction to Triathlon | EQUIPMENT | Swimming Gear

Equipment

Equipment Description Pros Cons

Metronome Tempo trainer. Allows swimmer to focus on stroke rate. Swimmer may get too focused at swimming at one rate.

Hand paddles Paddles fit on the hand and increase the Help build a connection between the hands and Can create shoulder problems if hands surface area. hips. don’t move in connection with the hips. Can also be used to correct entry technique by May magnify biomechanical issues with forcing the swimmer to maintain a high elbow. stroke, and potential cause for injury. Improves power of the upper limbs. Not advisable for beginner swimmers. (May not be strong enough yet to power the paddles, leading to a dropped elbow.)

Sculling paddles Smaller paddles that do not cover the Develops more in the pull. Not ideal for long distance repeats. entire hand. Improves catch phase. Best used for short distance drills. Can also be used to correct entry technique by forcing the swimmer to maintain a high elbow.

Pull buoy Flotation device placed between the legs. Promotes leg and reduces while Limited use if training for a non- allowing the swimmer to condition the upper race because it simulates the body body muscles. position when wearing a wetsuit. Helps simulate the body position when wearing May be awkward for very buoyant a wetsuit. swimmers. Can aid in recovery workouts and intervals. May negatively affect body rotation and Allows athletes with less endurance to increase alignment. duration of training sessions. Introduction to Triathlon | EQUIPMENT | Swimming Gear

Equipment

Equipment Description Pros Cons

Snorkel tube. Allows athletes to practice head and body Some very novice athletes may feel position without rotating the head to breathe. extremely claustrophobic. Should be Facilitates the development of proper used for very short distance repeats at mechanics. low intensity working on technique until an athlete is comfortable with it. Used for training respiratory muscles and practicing inhalation/exhalation. Helps simulate proper body alignment.

Goggles Provide visibility in the pool and open Tinted lenses protect the eyes from the sun. Dark tinted lenses may reduce visibility in water. Clear lenses provide better visibility in darker darker waters. waters.

Swim Allows for quicker transitions. Doesn’t offer warmth or body coverage Made of longer lasting material to train in than in cold water. most triathlon training and racing apparel. Due to lack of seat pad for cycling and less flexible fabric, endurance athletes may need to change into cycling/running gear during transition. Introduction to Triathlon | EQUIPMENT | Swimming Gear

Equipment

Equipment Description Pros Cons

Buoyancy pants Wetsuit material that increase Benefits of a wetsuit without constraining the Not allowed in IRONMAN races WHEN buoyancy and speed while training. trunk and arms. ARE NOT ALLOWED due to Less overheating than wetsuit when practicing . open water techniques in a warm pool.

Drag suits Mesh shorts with mesh pockets Increases resistance during training allowing Not recommended for very inefficient that swimmers may wear over their development for specific strength. swimmers who already struggle to keep normal to create extra resistance in Recommended for very efficient swimmers a balanced body position. the water. who need more resistance or often swim in May affect inter-arm coordination. a lane with much slower swimmers to help equalize the lane.

Full sleeve wetsuit Full sleeve wetsuits come in a range of Provides full body warmth/safety and Biomechanical differences when thicknesses, depending on the level of coverage. swimming in a wetsuit; swimmers warmth required. 3mm/2mm wetsuit for Aids in buoyancy and speed due to improved should train in a wetsuit if planning to cooler , 5mm/4mm for very body position, posture and tautness. use one. cold water. Introduction to Triathlon | EQUIPMENT | Swimming Gear

Equipment

Equipment Description Pros Cons

Sleeveless wetsuit Provides full body coverage while leaving Provides buoyancy in legs and torso while Not good for colder water swims. (Long John Wetsuit) arms uncovered. leaving arms free. Water flow into the suit can be greater as Ideal when air is warm but water is chilly. it can go down into the body easier than Good option to avoid overheat for IRONMAN in a full suit. distance swim when the water temperature is very close to the upper limit.

Short John Wetsuit Gives warmth and coverage to the torso. Leaves arms and lower legs free. Leaves arms and lower legs exposed to colder water. Introduction to Triathlon | EQUIPMENT | Swimming Gear

Equipment

Equipment Description Pros Cons

Short Arm Steamer Covers the trunk and legs. 2-3mm thick. Provides buoyancy in legs and torso while leaving forearms free.