Author: kturtenwald

Kimberly is a freelance writer and editor who loves to travel and see new places. Iceland is her favorite place to go and has begun to feel like a second home. She’s excited to share her knowledge and experience with others to make their time in Iceland more enjoyable.
Swim Hoodies Make a Great Gift

Swim Hoodies Make a Great Gift

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Choose the perfect gift for any swimmer in your life.
Swim apparel can be the perfect gift for swimmers.

If you are looking for the perfect gift for the swimmer in your life, you may have no idea what to get. Even though swimmers need a lot of gear, you may not know what they have or what they need. One thing a swimmer can never have enough of, especially when the weather is cooler, is swim apparel. Therefore, if you are looking for the right gift for a swimmer, a swim hoodie can be just the thing you need.

Fleece Pull-Over Hoodies

Fleece is an incredibly warm material, providing the wearer with the warmth they desire, no matter how cold it is outside. Speedo makes a functional solid-colored hoodie you can wear for just about any occasion. Available in both a male and female version in navy and black in a variety of sizes, you will be able to find the perfect one for the swimmer in your life. These hoodies feature additional length, allowing you to stay warm.

Fun Swim Hoodies

While many swimmers take their swimming seriously, it doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the fact they are a swimmer and wear something fun when they aren’t in the pool competing. You can find the perfect hoodie that reflects the recipient’s personality and really shows off their love of swimming. For instance, choose an “Ambercrombie and Fish,” Swim Monkey and Enjoy Swimming hoodies to send a fun message to everyone around them. If you are looking for something a little more serious for the swimmer in your life, try the Swimming 24-7 or Team USA hoodie. It doesn’t matter which one you choose, the swimmer in your life is bound to love it.

When you are shopping for the perfect gift for the swimmer in your life, it is important to find something he will love. However, it can often be difficult to find the perfect gift, especially when you aren’t sure what they need. Instead of buying swim gear or a swimsuit, you can choose swim apparel that is fun, functional or a little bit of both. Whether you choose a plain fleece pull-over or one that features a logo or slogan, the swimmer in your life will enjoy the warmth and comfort of a hooded sweatshirt to help keep out the cold.

New Year’s Resolution to Swim — The Top Five Swim Gear Items

New Year’s Resolution to Swim — The Top Five Swim Gear Items

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These goggles are a necessary piece of swim gear for all new swimmers.

If you have made the decision to start swimming more in the coming year, you need to know just what type of gear you need. Whether you want to swim for the fitness benefits or you want to start swimming competitively, these five swim gear items will provide you with everything you need to be successful in your New Year’s resolution.

Aquasphere Kaiman Goggles

Every swimmer needs a good pair of goggles to aid in their swimming efforts. The Aquasphere Kaiman Goggles are designed with the fitness swimmer in mind, providing excellent visibility, even in low light, UVA and UVB protection, 180-degree visibility without distortion and scratch-resistant and fog-resistant coating. Available in nine color combinations, you are bound to find the right pair to fit your style.

Strokemaker Swim Paddles

Whether you are training or you simply want to build your level of fitness, the Strokemaker Swim Paddles are a must-have. These paddles are designed to be worn on the hands to provide additional resistance as you swim through the water. This added resistance helps you build muscle in your arms and shoulders, helping you swim better. The design can also help you identify improper technique so you can fix it.

Speedo Deluxe Mesh Equipment Bag

If you are going to be carrying around your swim equipment, you need the Speedo Deluxe Mesh Equipment Bag. This bag is designed to allow your swim gear to dry while you carry it home. The drawstring closure, comfortable backpack design and included ID pouch, you will have everything you have on hand every time. Choose from 10 available colors.

Arena Pull Kick

Another useful piece of swim gear every swimmer should have on hand is the Arena Pull Kick. This device serves as both a kickboard and a pull buoy, allowing you to make the most of one piece of equipment. Use it as a way to perfect your kick in the water or to strengthen your upper body. This board is small and lightweight, making it easy to transport with you.

Razor Short Training Fins

Many swimmers need swim gear that helps them improve their speed and endurance in the water, as well as strengthen their muscles. The Razor Short Training Fins provide just the right amount of resistance to help you improve in many areas of your swimming without putting excessive strain in your muscles, risking injury. These fins are available in seven sizes, each in a different color for easy matching.

Using Competitive Swimming to Lose Weight

Using Competitive Swimming to Lose Weight

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Water Fitness Equipment
Working out in the water can be a great way to lose weight.

When you think about losing weight and the various exercises you can perform, the standards of jogging, aerobics and weightlifting likely come to mind. One exercise many people do not think of that is sometimes even more effective than the standard methods is competitive swimming. Swimming offers one of the most effective all-over body workouts with the least amount of impact, allowing you to exercise without the risk of serious injury.

Weightlessness

If you have tried other exercise programs but have had to quit or delay your efforts due to serious injury, you will love the benefits of swimming. Once your body hits the water, you become weightless, taking away all the aches and pains your body previously felt. This allows you to exercise in the water more frequently than other heavy-duty exercises that wear on your muscles, creating the need to relax to allow the muscles to repair themselves.

Various Strokes

There are a variety of strokes you can perform in the water, each of which burns a different number of calories. If you switch up your routine often, you will give your body the most benefits by working different muscles each time. The various strokes you can perform in the water include the freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, breast stroke and side stroke. Create the perfect routine to incorporate all the strokes into your workout, and you will realize the greatest benefits in your weight loss efforts.

Equipment

Swimming is a sport you can do without any equipment, but if you want to add more intensity to your workout, there are various pieces you could use. If you want to take a break from swimming but still want to work out in the water, water dumbbells are a great way to lift weights while still remaining in the water. If you want to increase the resistance of the water while you are swimming, you can wear aqua fitness gloves to give your upper body a more intense workout. If you want to focus solely on your legs, you can use a kickboard to keep your upper body stable, causing your leg muscles to perform all the work.

There are a variety of competitive swimming methods you can use to achieve your weight loss goals. Whether you have a large amount of weight to lose or you simply want to tone your body, swimming is one of the best exercises you can do. It is appropriate for almost anyone in any health condition and is easy on the body, reducing the risk of serious injury while you meet your health goals.

Choosing Nike Men’s Swimwear for Competitive Swimming

Choosing Nike Men’s Swimwear for Competitive Swimming

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Comopetitive Swimwear
The Nike line of men’s competitive jammers offers better performance in the water.

If you are serious about your swimming, the swimsuit you choose is important to your results. There are a variety of brands to choose from when it comes to fitness or competitive swimming. One of the top brands for men is the Nike men’s swimwear collection. All the suits are made with quality material that is meant to last the test of time and gives you a few advantages in the water that a regular swimsuit would not offer.

Figure Out Your Size

Before you purchase your men’s swimwear for competitive or fitness swimming, you need to determine your size. You will need to take your measurements while only wearing your underwear to get accurate measurements. You need to use a tape measure to measure your natural waistline. This can be done by measuring the area that is just above the hipbone. Your waist size will then determine the size swimsuit you need.

Uses

Whether you will use your swimwear for competitive swimming or physical fitness in the water, you want the same features. You need to look for a suit that decreases your drag time by not producing a lot of extra material that puffs out in the water. This will allow you to glide through the water, rather than fight the resistance of the water. When you look for the right suit, judge the compression or how tight the suit fits in various areas of your legs. You want it to feel snug and compressed without feeling as if your movements are restricted. Many of the Nike competitive swimsuits are made from the Nike NX swimwear fabric, which allows you the perfect fit with better results in the water.

Nike Techno Camo Jammer Swimsuit

Nike offers a variety of choices when it comes to choosing the right competitive swimsuit. If you are on a swim team, chances are you all want to match when you show up for competition. This shows you are a united team and can even intimidate other teams as you walk in together. The Nike Techno Camo Jammer Swimsuit offers a camouflage pattern down the legs in a variety of colors, including black, forest, navy, red or orange. This offers your team a variety of choices.

Nike Team Color Block Jammer

If you are looking for a more solid look, the Nike Team Color Block Jammer is a good choice. Your team color is swirled with white to help your team stand out the most. You can even have your team’s logo imprinted on this suit for an even more authentic look at your competitive swim meets.

The Importance of Swim Pace Clocks

The Importance of Swim Pace Clocks

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Swim Pace Clocks
A swim pace clock can be an important tool to keep on the side of the pool.

If you are on a swim team or are training to be on a swim team, one of the most important things you need to understand is how to read swim pace clocks. At first glance, they might seem intimidating and something only seasoned coaches can read, but with a little practice, you will get the hang of it. You will be glad you understand them in the long run because they will help you improve your lap times with or without a coach.

Speed Up Your Times

One of the best uses for the swim pace clocks is timing your laps. It is easy enough to glance at the clock when you start your lap and then again when you finish. This will allow you to determine your lap time for each lap you take. When you take your swimming seriously, this allows you to determine if you are slowing down or speeding up. This is especially helpful if you have changed anything with your stroke or are trying a new stroke. It is also a great way to practice without your coach if you want to sneak in some extra practice time.

Second Hand

If you are using an analog pace clock, such as the Accusplit Swim Pace Clock, you will notice there is no hour hand. Swimmers use the second hand to gauge their lap times. The top of the clock is marked with a 60 and the bottom with a 30. If you hear the coach mention starting at the top or bottom, they simply mean starting on the 60 or 30. The red hand is the hand that counts the seconds, and the black hand is the hand that counts the minutes.

Digital Clocks

Some swimming pools have digital swim pace clocks, such as the IST Cut Swimcount Clock. The digital clocks work similarly to the analog clocks except they are easier to read at first glance. The seconds are displayed after the colon and the minutes before the colon. They can be used for the same purposes as the analog clocks.

Understanding how to read swim pace clocks is one of the best ways to allow yourself to improve your swim times. Whether you are on a swim team or simply want to increase your swim times for your own benefit, using the pace clock is the best way to determine if you are reaching your goals in the water.

The Importance of the Long Speedo Fitness Swimsuit for Effective Swimming

The Importance of the Long Speedo Fitness Swimsuit for Effective Swimming

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Competitive Swimwear
The right competitive swimwear leads to more effective swimming.

Today, there is incredible focus on how a fitness swimsuit fits to perfect your strokes in the water. It is about more than looks; it is about how the swimsuit complements your swimming motions to allow you to swim seamlessly through the water. The Speedo jammers are the perfect way to create the dynamics in the water swimmers need to be competitive. There are a variety of Speedo jammers available, each with its own benefits.

Speedo Mercury Splice Jammer

The Speedo Mercury Splice Jammer is one of the most popular training suits for many reasons. Available in striking colors, this jammer offers the perfect contrast of black and your team color, whether your team is purple, blue, gold, red or green. It is also made from a chlorine-resistant material, making the fitness swimsuit last through many practices and meets. The unique four-way stretch material hugs your body in all the right areas, while keeping you comfortable.

Speedo Rapid Splice Jammer

The Speedo Rapid Splice Jammer is made for the athlete who puts his swimsuit through a lot of wear and tear. Made from Xtra Life Lycra, this suit can withstand the rigors of constant wear, whether for practice, meets or hanging out at the local pool. This highly sought after material is perfect for the high school team that desires a uniform look for their swimmers, while offering longevity in their suits.

Speedo Vortex Splice Jammer

For the swim team that wants to add a little spice to their team colors, the Speedo Vortex Splice Jammer offers the same long lasting swim fabric the Speedo Rapid Splice Jammer offers with the added benefit of a spliced leg with a bright pattern that gives the illusion of flames on the legs. This suit is available in green, blue, red and orange, giving you plenty of versatility to match your team’s colors.

When you are in competitive swimming, you need a fitness swimsuit that can stand the test of time. Chlorine, body oils and normal wear and tear can wreak havoc on your suits over time. When you only buy the best, such as Speedo jammers that offer the incredible fit further down the legs, reducing the amount of drag and resistance that you experience, you will not only perform well but also be able to enjoy your competitive swimsuit for a longer period of time than any other suit.

Best Men’s Racing Swimsuits for College Conferences and High School Championships

Best Men’s Racing Swimsuits for College Conferences and High School Championships

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Competitive Swimwear
The right competitive swimwear can make all the difference in your competition.

When it comes to competitive swimming and high school championships or college conferences, men need to find the racing swimsuits that are going to work with their swimming ability and not against it. Finding the right suit is the best way to ensure you showcase your best swimming abilities instead of hindering them by excessive drag or poor aerodynamics. The racing swimsuit you choose for your competition could have a large bearing on how you perform in your next competition.

Arena Powerskin Carbon Pro Jammer

This racing swimsuit is all about muscle compression. The Arena Powerskin Carbon Pro Jammer delivers the perfect amount of muscle compression without restricting your movement, allowing you to show off your prowess in the water. This Arena swimsuit has created the perfect combination of locking down where your body needs it along with the elasticity your movement needs. Made with carbon fibre that is unique to this suit, your movements will be fluid and sharp, allowing you maximum benefits in the water.

Speedo LZR Elite Jammer

The Speedo LZR Elite Jammer brings together the best of both worlds between two classic Speedo racing swimsuits, delivering fabric that is meant to allow you to glide through the water without any restricting seams thanks to the bonded seams of this Speedo swimsuit. You will feel comfortable, swim well and look good in this sleek competitive swimsuit.

Speedo LZR Pro Jammer

The Speedo LZR Pro Jammer competitive swimsuit is made from lightweight fabric that reduces the amount of drag you experience in the water. It also features an incredibly durable material that lasts through many competitions, giving you longevity out of your investment. It is the perfect racing swimsuit for the swimmer who is new to the competition.

Speedo Fastskin3 Super Elite Jammer

Sometimes your race comes down to the point where every fraction of a second counts. Don’t let that be the case for your race. Wear the Speedo Fastskin3 Super Elite Jammer to make every second count. Made for the serious competitive swimmer, this compression suit offers the hydrodynamics you need to glide seamlessly through the water. You’ll experience a fit that offers maximum support yet the perfect amount of resistance to allow you to perform your swim strokes effortlessly.

High school championships and college conferences rely heavily on the skill of the swimmer. You have worked hard to create your skills; now you need to choose among the greatest racing swimsuits to help you maximize your swimming efforts in your next competition.

Use Water Barbells as a Way to Gain Muscle Strength

Use Water Barbells as a Way to Gain Muscle Strength

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Water Barbells
Water barbells can be the perfect way to get a workout that is easier on your body.

Exercising in the water is a great way to stay fit, as well as lose weight. There are many types of exercises you can participate in while in the water other than water aerobics, which most people think of as the only water exercise. Weightlifting with water barbells is a great way to increase muscle mass and strength. The combination of the weights and the resistance of the water makes it possible to tone your muscles while participating in a low-impact exercise. Water dumbbells are also easy to hold, typically only requiring the use of one hand on each weight, making it possible for people of all fitness levels to use them.

Buoyancy and Resistance

The pure buoyancy of aqua barbells, such as the Swim Stuff Aqua Fitness Barbells, gives you the perfect amount of resistance in the water. When you use controlled movements with the barbells, you will be able to give your arm muscles a great workout by not allowing them to come back to the surface of the water, which they will naturally want to do. The resistance of the water will add to the strength you are able to add to your muscles, giving your body an incredible workout without any risk of high-impact injuries. This is the perfect exercise for those who are recovering from illness or injury, as well as those who are fitness enthusiasts.

Resistance Both Ways

The water can provide resistance on your muscles when you are pushing the dumbbells down beneath the water, as well as when you bring them back to the surface. It might be tempting to allow the water to do the work when you are bringing the dumbbells back up, but to give your muscles the greatest workout, it is essential to push against the water to maximize the benefits to your muscles.

Different Positions

There are many ways to use water barbells. They are the perfect choice for all levels of fitness, including beginners and those who are experienced in weightlifting. The Speedo Aqua Fitness Barbells are the perfect choice for those who bring their barbells back and forth from the pool because they are lightweight and easy to use. These fitness barbells are perfect for using while standing in place and simply exercising the arms or in combination with aerobic exercise, such as jogging or treading water. Working out with weights in the water is a perfectly safe yet effective method for physical fitness.

Replacement Pool Lane Equipment Is Necessary

Replacement Pool Lane Equipment Is Necessary

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Replacement Pool Lane Equipment
Replacing your pool lane markers is important.

Keeping your pool in good shape is critical, whether you are simply running practices or you are hosting meets. While you may already have the pool lane lines you need, you will need to know where to get the replacement parts whenever you need them. In fact, keeping some of these parts on hand can be useful so you can fix any problems quickly without causing a major delay, especially if you are in the middle of hosting a major meet.

Cables

The cables that hold the pool lane floats in place are critical to the function of your pool lane markers. If this cable snaps or stretches out too far, your lane markers won’t be able to hold the lanes and swimmers won’t know where to swim. Therefore, you need to keep the supplies you need to repair the cable if something goes wrong. This includes keeping a roll of the cable on hand, as well as the take-up reels so you can quickly replace them so your lane markers can function properly again.

Lane Marker Floats

Lane marker floats are often made from plastic and are prone to breaking, especially if they have been exposed to the elements. Therefore, you should keep a stock of the lane marker floats in the same design and colors as those that are already on your pool lane markers. This will ensure you can replace them quickly if they break. While a broken lane marker float won’t have a major impact on the function of your pool markers, it is best to replace them to prevent swimmers from hurting themselves on it.

Being able to quickly repair your lane markers can be critical to the success of the swimmers in your pool. While you can easily continue practice without the lane markers, if you happen to hold a meet and something goes wrong with your lane markers, it isn’t the time to find out you can’t fix it. If you keep the proper supplies on hand, as well as know exactly how to fix any problems that may arise, you will be able to resolve the problem as quickly as possible so you can continue on with the meet. As long as you have a length of cable and the proper lane markers, you will be prepared for just about anything that can go wrong.

Best Women’s Racing Swimsuits for College Conference and High School Championships

Best Women’s Racing Swimsuits for College Conference and High School Championships

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When it comes to swimming competitively, you need to make sure you have just the right suit to do well in the water. It doesn’t matter what level you are on, it is important to learn to swim well with the right type of suit. When it comes to college conference and high school championships, you need to choose from the best racing swimsuits to increase your chances of a successful meet.

Speedo LZR Elite Recordbreaker Kneeskin

The Speedo LZR Elite Recordbreaker Kneeskin is a FINA approved design that provides swimmers with the best power, form and accuracy to allow each swimmer to use their strengths to their advantage. This suit is manufactured from material that provides the maximum compression to help the body glide through the water with less resistance. The bonded seams and conforming fit give swimmers less drag and a comfortable fit that doesn’t restrict movement, helping them move through the water more easily. Speedo also uses a special plasma treatment to reduce absorbency.

Arena Carbon Pro Open Back Kneeskin

The Arena Carbon Pro Open Back Kneeskin is another popular choice for college and high school swimming. Available in four different colors, this competitive swimsuit provides swimmers with optimal muscle compression for enhanced performance without restricting movement. The suit allows each swimmer to gain the perfect fit for support, efficiency and power in the water, helping her propel herself above and beyond the competition. Made from carbon fibre, this FINA-approved suit keeps its shape, no matter how much it stretches.

Speedo LZR Pro Recordbreaker Kneeskin

Similar to its sister suit listed above, the Speedo LZR Pro Recordbreaker Kneeskin is made from the unique Pulse material that provides greater durability and a more comfortable fit for optimal performance in the water. With its contrasting gold stitching, this FINA-approved suit looks great in and out of the water, all while providing the swimmer with an advanced fit and low drag to increase speed and efficiency in the water.

Arena Powerskin R-Evo+ Kneeskin

The fourth in the line of best women’s racing suits for both the college and high school levels is the Arena Powerskin R-Evo+ Kneeskin. This suit is FINA-approved and has been proven to be the fastest, lightest piece of competitive swimwear available for women. In addition to its extremely light weight, it also provides the perfect fit and compression to enhance movement through the water. With its one-piece design and absence of stitching on the front, this suit proves to be efficient in the water with the least amount of drag with incredible stability and proper alignment in the water.