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It’s said that if you weren’t swimming seriously at a young age, you’ll
have a tough time turning yourself into a great swimmer. You know, someone
who looks like they should be in a pool at Marine World with the dolphins.
Chances are that’s not you. Surely then, you’ll need every possible advantage.
Our key picks include:
The Essentials
Swim Suit: Hit the pool in baggie shorts and you might as well be dragging
a parachute behind you. Proper suits fit tightly for streamlining the body and
catching minimal water pushing off the wall or jumping into the water. Plus, they
provide support and total freedom of movement. There are exceptions, but the better women’s
suits ($35 to $90) are usually one-piece models (which keep water out of the neck area
better than two piece designs). Men, try Lycra briefs ($25 to $60), minimalist but comfortable
and efficient.
Goggles: Goggles ($8 to $60) are crucial for clear vision and to protect the eyes from
ocean and pool water. Here fit is all-important. Most goggles are adjustable but that doesn’t
necessarily mean they’ll fit your face. One way to test goggles is to ask pool mates
if you can try on theirs to find a type that fits your face. Ideally, watertight suction
is formed around the eyes so water can’t get in and blur your vision (more a problem in
open water than in a pool). Some goggles are fog resistant and many offer a range of lens
colors. Consider getting a couple of pairs because they're easily misplaced.
Swim Cap: Caps keep hair out of the eyes, reduce drag, and help protect your hair
from chlorine. There are two types: basic latex models for pool use and thicker neoprene
models designed for warmth for cold water swimming. Often brightly colored, caps
also provide additional visibility, an important safety consideration in lake or
ocean swims. Prices range from $5 to $25.
Nice to Have
Pull Buoy: This pool toy is held between the legs to keep you from kicking,
which forces you to focus on pulling, providing a better upper body workout. Sometimes,
you can borrow swim accessories such as pull buoys from pool decks. But why take the
chance? For $10 to $30 you can buy your own with the best features.
Hand Paddles: Slipped over the hands before swimming, these plastic paddles ($10
to $20) help you develop a feel for the water, improve your stroke mechanics, and build upper
body strength. When you’re wearing the paddles, you widen the surface of your hand and
eliminate gaps, meaning you pull a lot more water, boosting the training effect.
Watch/Lap Counter: If you’re not able to train with an organized group such as a
Masters program where there is a clock running, you may want to wear a watch to track your
times. And you may want a lap counter as well, a device worn on the hand that provides a
clickable button to record your laps. ($20 to $30). There’s a variety of watches and a
myriad of features to select from. Most important are waterproofness, easy operation,
a timer and memory functions (prices start at $30).
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