Unlike running or biking, swimming does not have nearly the high tech gadgets, but you will need some gear, possibly more than you would initially think. Your swimsuit should not be difficult, as in the end they are all basically the same. Your swimsuit needs only to cover you without impeding your smooth movement through the water. There are no fashion police, and fashion statements need not be made. You should be able to get your suit from the local sporting goods or specialty shop.
Next up for purchase is a good pair of swim goggles. Keep in mind, you will have your head face down as you swim, and turned to the side as you breathe and orient yourself in the pool. If you had no goggles, the chlorination of the pool would irritate your eyes, not to mention that our eyes do not see so well under water without aid.
You very likely will have to try on many different pairs of goggles to find a pair that fit you comfortably. Whatever you do, do not buy goggles solely on the look or size. You must try on all pairs you consider. If you can, go specifically to a swim shop to get good help with fit for your needs.
While there, see about getting yourself a swim cap. A cap is not a necessary item for training, but seeing as you will have to wear it for the triathlon, you might as well get used to wearing it now anyways.
A useful tool you should definitely consider for your training are hand paddles. These tools help you to learn proper hand entry into the water, and proper catch and pull of the water as part of your swimming stroke.
These paddles will also help you strengthen your arms and your shoulders thanks to increased water resistance. Stronger arms and shoulders pull harder and faster, meaning you move through the water faster overall. Note: if you have a shoulder or rotator cuff injury, then you should avoid using the hand paddles until those injuries clear up, otherwise they could make your injuries worse.
The next 2 items on your list should be a pair of swim fins, and a kick board. The swim fins will help you to gain leg strength and increase ankle flexibility; while the kick board will help you practice proper kick technique via kick board drills.
Lastly, you should look into a pull buoy. A pull buoy is a large hunk of foam that goes between your legs and keeps the back end of you afloat to keep you from kicking. That way you can focus specifically on the use of your arms to propel you thought the water.
If water in your ears is an issue you cannot abide, look into earplugs to keep water out. If you cannot abide earplugs, there are alcohol solutions which work well in getting the water out of your ears fairly quickly. Last of all, you will need a mesh bag to carry all of this gear in.
Photo Credits: akunamatata
Originally posted 2009-10-19 03:19:17. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Choosing the Right Triathlon Bike pt 2 You are really going to want to choose a bicycle that fits your body perfectly, comfortable, and also fits your budget. You can buy an extremely expensive bike, but if it does not fit your frame, then it is completely worthless when it comes to meeting your bicycling needs. The...... -
Attain Victory with the Right Triathlon Gear pt 1 Throughout our existence, one of the deciding factors in who survives and who doesn't has been technology. It is the innovation of technology that has allowed us to push ourselves to new horizons along the way. In all aspects of our life, having the right gear and equipment is absolutely...... -
Curious About What is Involved in Training for a Triathlon? For people who are not professional athletes but are still interested in training for a triathlon, the concept of training ahead of time might seem like a lot of impossible work with no guarantee of any rewards. In reality, training for a triathlon is something that is well within your...... -
Your Swim Pose and Triathlon Training As technical as the swimming sport can be, it can generally be tough to narrow down solutions to a question that is asked often: What should I concentrate on in order to improve my triathlon swim capabilities? Here are five steps that you can take to improve your swim for...... -
Preparing For your Triathlon With the Right Gear Most people who are facing the concept of their first triathlon are wondering what type of gear and equipment will best suit them. Depending on your skill level, your budget and what equipment you currently own, your needs for the right gear will certainly be difficult. Assuming that budget is......