New Gear

Montepulciano

So I got some new gear this week, and when the box arrived I became a total swim nerd. It was like Christmas morning! Then when I got in the water today and got to use the new paddles and buoy, I was completely jazzed. I forgot just how much I love a good pull set. I had to make sure to stop and take off the gear because I want to be able to lift my arms above my head tomorrow.

Anyone else get all jazzed by new swim gear?

UG77

I get motivated by gadets. I got a garmin vivoactive HR last week and anything that gives me data to play with keeps me focused. I don't know why.

I haven't advanced to gear yet but I have been thinking about it. When you're talking about a pull set you mean the hand paddles that I see some people using? That's to increase resistance and make their muscles work harder, correct? The same with flippers. My reticence on those two items is that I don't really know what I am doing training wise, so I don't know when would be the right time to use them (early into the work out or at the end) and I have some concern I'd over train with them and end up not being able to lift my arms

Currently I just get in the water, stretch out, swim a lap. Stretch again to catch the things I didn't realize we tight until that first lap, and then I just swim freestyle for a couple of miles. I hydrate every 15 laps or so and I stop and down a gel pack around 40-45 minutes, but otherwise I'm just grinding out laps.

Montepulciano

Yeah, I admit I love my iPod for the water. I am tempted by the fitbit that can go in the water, but for now I am resisting the urge.

Yes, hand paddles (I use the classic Speedo rectangular ones without that wrist strap to make sure I am finishing my stroke) and got the new (new to me) dog bone shaped pull buoy. I wanted to add a bit more yardage, so I added 5 x 100's pull to my 3000 yards. Eventually I will probably pop up to 1000 yard set, again when I increase my distance. But probably not much more than that.

As for when in the workout? I would say anytime once you are warmed up and have most of the kinks out. Early or late I don't think matters as long as you have a warm up and cool down before or after.

I use the short fins and kick about 1000 yards now. I built up to it over a few weeks, but your feet, ankles and calves will tell you if you are overdoing. Some people don't like using a kick board, some do. Really it all works out with personal preference.

All that said, there is nothing wrong with grinding out the laps!

fishgutzy

The fitbit may be water resistant. However the HR doesn't work in the pool and it doesn't work well if you sweat a lot outside the pool. Water and heavy sweat interfere with the IR based HRM.
I love a good set of pull. I picked up the medium Speedo pads and adult buoy. The adult size has the higher buoyancy that I need. The ones they have at my Y are too for me.
As for gadgets, I just can't rationalize spending 400 bucks on watch.