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New Gear

Montepulciano
Montepulciano Posts: 845 Member
edited December 2024 in Social Groups
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?

Replies

  • UG77
    UG77 Posts: 206 Member
    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
    Montepulciano Posts: 845 Member
    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
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    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. :D
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