But first you need to invest in some equipment. No doubt the old pair of goggles your husband bought for your vacation to California 15 years ago are feeling a little battered, and you'd like to try something new to get the most of your workouts. It's time for some new gear!
Swim equipment has come a long way over the decades, and now the menagerie of paddles and fins and buoys and suits can look more like a materialistic--and expensive--typhoon rather than the assortment of practical devices you're looking for. Online searches don't help much either, at least not without hours of dedicated browsing. Fear not, as we've done the browsing, and experimenting, for you! Enjoy our free, second, Springville Masters Swimming Equipment Guide.
Equipment Guide
Our guide is not a review. We don't test out new equipment or get endorsements for the gear we select. This guide just represents our dozens of years of experience in the pool and some of the products that work best for us. It also introduces some of the common themes of swim gear.
We also note that you can purchase all of the following swim equipment locally at our favorite store, Poco Loco Swim Shop®, located at Brigham’s Landing in Provo. You'll get the 15% team discount if you mention swimming with us.
Kickboards are available for use at the Clyde Recreation Center (CRC). We don’t require any additional equipment, but optional items (not provided by the CRC) would include training fins (flippers), hand paddles, and training snorkels. These purchases are not compulsory and are according to your own individual needs/wants, though we can give guidance on usage.
Necessities:
Goggles
Goggles are your lifeline in the pool, and they can make or break your swimming experience. Not all goggles are created equal. When searching for a pair make sure to stay away from the cheap goggles found in department and sporting stores. Trustworthy swim brands, such as Speedo, Arena, and TYR are more reputable. Their goggles are generally going to last longer and be more water tight. Look for a casual, comfortable fit--no need to purchase expensive "within-the-socket" goggles unless you're competing in the Olympics. Scuba masks are difficult to swim with and should be avoided if possible.
We heartily recommend the Speedo Vanquisher® goggles. Vanquishers are durable, comfortable, and above all else, don't leak. They're also fairly inexpensive comparable to a lot of lesser pairs of goggles, and far cheaper than so-called "high performance" goggles. If you're looking for a pair of goggles you can depend on for both practices and races, we suggest Vanquishers. If you have a history of allergic reaction to latex, Swedish Goggles are another popular choice, and are among the cheapest goggles available.
Cap
Caps are used to protect your hair from the chlorine and to keep it from dragging in the water. Caps come in two types, Latex and Silicon. Latex caps are cheaper and less durable, and can rip at your hair a little bit. Thicker, softer silicone caps can be found at any swimming distribution outlet if desired for an increased price. Caps aren’t required but are recommended, especially for swimmers with long hair.
Suit
Make sure to use a swimming suit composed of mostly polyester which will resist the chlorine and last longer. Skin-tight is preferable to baggy or laced suits. Triathlon swimwear is also okay, though full body wetsuits shouldn’t be worn in the swimming pool. Street clothes are not allowed in the aquatic facility. We don't have a specific type of swimsuit that we conclusively prefer, since everyone's preferences differ so much. Though we enjoy big name brands like Speedo, Arena, and TYR, there's also a lot of other appreciable options to choose from, such as Reebok, Nike, Engine, and ROKA.
Optional:
Hand Paddles
Paddles are used for strengthening your arms. They can be a lot of fun to use, and genuinely useful in a workout. They're especially helpful if you're planning an open water swim in the future, since they can strengthen your stroke in preparation. There are a lot of different varieties on the market. The most basic type, and the type we recommend, are StrokeMakers®. Make sure the paddle isn’t too large for your hand, the space between the top of the paddle and your middle finger should only be about half an inch.
Fins (flippers)
Avoid scuba fins. Training fins like Sporti Floating Swim Fins® are usually fine, but look for fins that won’t rub or cut into your foot. They should fit loosely when dry. Fins help develop kicking strength, body position, and can reduce the load of swimming on the arms for beginning or older swimmers.
Pull Buoys
Used for holding the legs afloat when not kicking. They are useful for swimmers working on developing greater arm strength (in combination with Hand Paddles), especially for swimmers trying to increase their endurance, such as open water swimmers and triathletes. There are a lot of brands out there, but they're all basically variations of the same thing. We recommend the cheapest one!
Training Snorkels
Different than normal snorkels, which extend around the side of your head, training snorkels are thinner and extend directly in front of the forehead. They are useful for swimmers of all levels to practice head position and stroke technique by eliminating the need to turn the head to breathe. We recommend the Speedo Bullet Head Snorkel®, which moves around less when swimming and is simpler to put on and take off.
Ear Plugs
Especially for older swimmers, silicone or rubber ear plugs are cheap and keep water from entering the ear which can cause dizziness and nausea in some people. We've tried several out, and none work absolutely perfectly, but they definitely help keep the majority of the pool from getting in your headspace. John recommends Mack's Aquablock Earplugs®, but honestly there's probably not too much difference in any brand on the market.
Mesh Bag
Nylon Mesh bags are used to hold swim equipment and can be carried onto the pool deck next to your lane for quick access to gear. They're cheap and keep your equipment dry without getting moldy.
