Stationary swimming: swim belt
prairiepinecone
Posts: 125 Member
Does anyone use a swim belt to tie themselves off to "lap" swim in a small pool? What belt did you go with, is it comfortable, do you keep full range of motion, any problems with rubbing, etc?
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Just find a pool that is standard length and swim laps.0
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You shouldn't be moving around the pool. It's normal as you start, but eventually, your form (due to a wicked strong core) should keep you in place. My instructor always reminds us "ears over shoulders over hips." That means you're NOT pitched forward. You will actually feel like you are leaning back a little bit. You won't need to tie yourself off, but a flotation belt is helpful so that you aren't struggling to stay afloat. As you work harder and become winded, it will (should) become increasingly difficult. Look on youtube. Perhaps there are videos that will show proper form. It's extremely challenging. I found it much more challenging (AND BORING) than running on land, but it kept my fitness up while an injury healed.2
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girlwithcurls2 wrote: »You shouldn't be moving around the pool. It's normal as you start, but eventually, your form (due to a wicked strong core) should keep you in place. My instructor always reminds us "ears over shoulders over hips." That means you're NOT pitched forward. You will actually feel like you are leaning back a little bit. You won't need to tie yourself off, but a flotation belt is helpful so that you aren't struggling to stay afloat. As you work harder and become winded, it will (should) become increasingly difficult. Look on youtube. Perhaps there are videos that will show proper form. It's extremely challenging. I found it much more challenging (AND BORING) than running on land, but it kept my fitness up while an injury healed.
Thank you for the reply, but I'm a little confused. With proper form a body should move forward in the water. The belt around your hips is tied to the pool (or tree, fence, etc) behind you to hold you in place on forward motion. I'm assuming you were thinking side to side motion, these belts don't stop that.
*Edit* @girlwithcurls2 I was looking to lap swim, not tread water. If that's what you meant. Thanks again for the reply.
A little background on me...
I am an avid swimmer. I have been swimming my entire life and swam competitively in high school. I worked as a lifeguard for 5 years and taught swimming lessons for 3 years. I am still a very good swimmer, just slower.
I use to swim in the lake 15 miles from my house, but boat traffic makes it too dangerous now.
I'm looking for opinions from people who use these belts. I looked at reviews on amazon for a couple belts but was thinking that there are probably better belts out there than what amazon was giving me.
Here is an example of a stationary swim belt...
https://youtube.com/watch?v=5o1DiOlFt240 -
girlswithcurls2 - I'm curious what you are talking about, is it treading water?, I live on a lake and would like a different option than swimming.
Thanks!1 -
@Susanna5781 I bet that's it. Now girlwithcurls2's comment makes sense. I was so confused lolSusanna5781 wrote: »I live on a lake and would like a different option than swimming.
Do you kayak or SUP? I really enjoy both of those lake activities.
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I use this one: StretchCordz Stationary Swim Trainer, Green https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LZLTSLK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2uzqzbVZHNCZW
It's ok. I have full range of motion and it's reasonably comfortable and doesn't move around, but it does pull you down into the water a bit so it's not quite the same. But, all in all, it gets the job done for me. I don't know if the pulling down into the water is specific to this design or universal to all swim belts.2 -
Duck_Puddle wrote: »I use this one: StretchCordz Stationary Swim Trainer, Green https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LZLTSLK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2uzqzbVZHNCZW
It's ok. I have full range of motion and it's reasonably comfortable and doesn't move around, but it does pull you down into the water a bit so it's not quite the same. But, all in all, it gets the job done for me. I don't know if the pulling down into the water is specific to this design or universal to all swim belts.
I never thought about it pulling down. Interesting. Thanks for the review. 0 -
I have no recommendations, but I'm watching, because I'm fascinated. We have a typical backyard, kidney-shaped pool, which I love, but is just awful for swimming laps. I had no idea that stationary swim thingies were out there, but maybe I want one.
The one @Duck_Puddle posted wouldn't work for me, since we don't have lane lines like that in our recreational pool.1 -
JeepHair77 wrote: »I have no recommendations, but I'm watching, because I'm fascinated. We have a typical backyard, kidney-shaped pool, which I love, but is just awful for swimming laps. I had no idea that stationary swim thingies were out there, but maybe I want one.
The one @Duck_Puddle posted wouldn't work for me, since we don't have lane lines like that in our recreational pool.
@JeepHair77 I have an 18ft round and had no idea either. I googled it on a whim! lol0 -
jenniferfiedler88 wrote: »JeepHair77 wrote: »I have no recommendations, but I'm watching, because I'm fascinated. We have a typical backyard, kidney-shaped pool, which I love, but is just awful for swimming laps. I had no idea that stationary swim thingies were out there, but maybe I want one.
The one @Duck_Puddle posted wouldn't work for me, since we don't have lane lines like that in our recreational pool.
@JeepHair77 I have an 18ft round and had no idea either. I googled it on a whim! lol
Mine is set up in an 18ft round. The bungee/cord thingies are attached to the wall at roughly the same angle as if they were attached to lane markers. I'm kind of in the middle of the pool when I'm swimming-just not going anywhere.
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Duck_Puddle wrote: »jenniferfiedler88 wrote: »JeepHair77 wrote: »I have no recommendations, but I'm watching, because I'm fascinated. We have a typical backyard, kidney-shaped pool, which I love, but is just awful for swimming laps. I had no idea that stationary swim thingies were out there, but maybe I want one.
The one @Duck_Puddle posted wouldn't work for me, since we don't have lane lines like that in our recreational pool.
@JeepHair77 I have an 18ft round and had no idea either. I googled it on a whim! lol
Mine is set up in an 18ft round. The bungee/cord thingies are attached to the wall at roughly the same angle as if they were attached to lane markers. I'm kind of in the middle of the pool when I'm swimming-just not going anywhere.
Do you like having two bungies? Most I have been looking at have one. I could see one cord getting in the way of the kick.0 -
I travel a lot for my job and I had to train for a 70.3 Ironman race so I didn't have much choice but to find places on the road to swim which were usually small hotel pools. I picked up a swim tether by Aquasphere that attaches at the ankles instead of the waist (1 cord for each ankle). It was cheap (< $20) and once I got used to it worked reasonably well. I had to make sure I attached it to the ladder rung right above the surface or my legs would get dragged down. The straps are elasticized so the harder you swim the tauter the straps get. I mostly counted strokes to get a rough estimate of yardage and would alter my stroke intensity to try to keep focus and interest. Other than being incredibly dull it works in the sense that you can get a decent workout.
Most of the people I know have used swim tethers use waist attachment versions but I haven't so I can't compare it the ankle version. Here are a couple of links to the different products with some reviews to peruse...
https://www.triathletesports.com/aqua-sphere-stationary-swimmer-2017
https://www.swimoutlet.com/p/lane-gainer-sports-swim-belt-3-meter-15839/
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@dmkoenig Thanks for the review 0
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jenniferfiedler88 wrote: »Duck_Puddle wrote: »jenniferfiedler88 wrote: »JeepHair77 wrote: »I have no recommendations, but I'm watching, because I'm fascinated. We have a typical backyard, kidney-shaped pool, which I love, but is just awful for swimming laps. I had no idea that stationary swim thingies were out there, but maybe I want one.
The one @Duck_Puddle posted wouldn't work for me, since we don't have lane lines like that in our recreational pool.
@JeepHair77 I have an 18ft round and had no idea either. I googled it on a whim! lol
Mine is set up in an 18ft round. The bungee/cord thingies are attached to the wall at roughly the same angle as if they were attached to lane markers. I'm kind of in the middle of the pool when I'm swimming-just not going anywhere.
Do you like having two bungies? Most I have been looking at have one. I could see one cord getting in the way of the kick.
I haven't tried one with just one bungee, but I do like having two. With the angle, they really don't impede any movement and I feel like it helps keep me "straight." Sounds silly since you're not really going anywhere, but in an 18' pool, if you drift to the side at all, it's not long before you're going to run out of room and that's not something I want to worry about since it seems correcting for that would be difficult with no forward motion. I could be imagining that though and maybe it's not an issue at all. But this is the only belt I've used and it serves the purpose. I can't really compare to anything.
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Duck_Puddle wrote: »jenniferfiedler88 wrote: »Duck_Puddle wrote: »jenniferfiedler88 wrote: »JeepHair77 wrote: »I have no recommendations, but I'm watching, because I'm fascinated. We have a typical backyard, kidney-shaped pool, which I love, but is just awful for swimming laps. I had no idea that stationary swim thingies were out there, but maybe I want one.
The one @Duck_Puddle posted wouldn't work for me, since we don't have lane lines like that in our recreational pool.
@JeepHair77 I have an 18ft round and had no idea either. I googled it on a whim! lol
Mine is set up in an 18ft round. The bungee/cord thingies are attached to the wall at roughly the same angle as if they were attached to lane markers. I'm kind of in the middle of the pool when I'm swimming-just not going anywhere.
Do you like having two bungies? Most I have been looking at have one. I could see one cord getting in the way of the kick.
I haven't tried one with just one bungee, but I do like having two. With the angle, they really don't impede any movement and I feel like it helps keep me "straight." Sounds silly since you're not really going anywhere, but in an 18' pool, if you drift to the side at all, it's not long before you're going to run out of room and that's not something I want to worry about since it seems correcting for that would be difficult with no forward motion. I could be imagining that though and maybe it's not an issue at all. But this is the only belt I've used and it serves the purpose. I can't really compare to anything.
Thanks for the insight. 0 -
I ended up buying the TYR brand belt with a single bungie on amazon.
With extra rope, i tied it to the tree next to my pool about 12 feet off the ground.
When i first used it, i had the belt around my hips. My feet did pull down. So, I moved the belt around the small of my waist and that seems to have fixed the problem. I haven't had any issue of being pulled to the side as of yet. But, I've only been out 3 times (daytime temps have been in the low 60's).
I kind of enjoy the bungie. When i finish a set, I let it pull me back to the wall. It's a nice feeling on my tired arms.
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Does anyone have a recommendation for one that can be attached to a pool ladder? Or can the one above that attaches to the lanes be used on a ladder? Thx.0
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@Charlene_Marie_723 what kind of ladder do you have? Is it mounted in concrete or a light two sided pool kit ladder?0
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@Charlene_Marie_723 I would think with a little rigging, any of the tie types should work. @dmkoenig might have more incite for you.
@Duck_Puddle Have you ever tied yours off to a ladder?0 -
I have not tied mine to a ladder, I'm not sure you'd have enough room for your legs? Maybe if you found a way to attach it to the top point of the ladder? I have to think that with enough rigging, anything could work but I tend to be a tad on the stubborn side.0
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Thanks for the tips. I'll buy one and see what I can do. It's our condo swimming pool so I have to be somewhat careful and not in the way with whatever I decide to rig.1
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@Charlene_Marie_723 - the Aquasphere ankle tether that I have used and referenced in my prior post has two elasticized cords that clip onto each of your ankles. It's a very simple matter of just making a simple loop on the ladder pole with each cord just above the step that is just at or above the water line and then attaching the strap clip to the ankle tether clip. The ankle tether is just a couple of velcro straps that go around your ankle and heel. Hope that helps...1
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I bought one back in 2002. It's an Aquatrainer - a clip on belt for the waist with a 6' very strong elastic cord and then another clip to tie to a ladder. The company is no longer in business. I used it for a season but found it to be very boring. I also didn't like they way it changed my form, as it was pulling me up in the water. So I put it away thinking I'd only use it if I was desperate.
Well I'm now in the desperate catagory. I've got some serious problems with my hip and cant engage in any weight bearing cardio anymore (ever). I also have longstanding shoulder issues from years of swimming, so I can't put in the same kind of mileage anymore. I was doing my own version of vigorous aquafit in my pool and then remembered that I had the cord. So I pulled it out of the cupboard last week and gave it a whirl. I used it for stationary kicking on my back, snorkel kicking on my front, dolphin kick, breast stroke kicking and pulling, as well as freestyle. It worked really well for stationary kicking and breast stroke, although it still pulls me up. Freestyle is a little more tricky as it really throws off my form. Also the cord can get in the way while kicking on your back so it takes a little practice to centre it. I put a noodle under my neck to raise my head slightly above the waves that are created when the sides of the pool are reflecting back all the turbulence.
Overall it worked really well and I felt like I had a good workout. I also beat the boredom factor by buying a waterproof iPod shuffle. It made it all very pleasant, actually!1
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