Tag: performance swimwear

How to Put on a Technical Suit

How to Put on a Technical Suit

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If you’ve never worn technical racing suits before, you may have asked yourself how swimmers ever get themselves in and out of this tight, form-fitting performance swimwear. While these suits certainly fit swimmers like a second skin, with a little practice, you’ll be putting yours on easily in no time. There are a few tricks you can learn to help make this process simpler.

Make Sure It’s Dry

Performance swimsuits can be difficult to put on.
Learn how to put on performance swimsuits.

You’ll be swimming in a pool so it’s reasonable to assume you and your gear are going to get wet. However, when it comes time to put on your technical suit, it’s essential to make sure it is completely dry. A dry suit is much easier to put on than a wet suit that is likely to stick to your body as you try to pull it on.

Take Your Time

You may be in a rush, but hurrying to put on technical racing suits can have a detrimental impact on the longevity of your suit and it will end up taking longer. It can take up to 30 minutes or sometimes more to get into your suit. Be sure you don’t yank on the suit and pull with your hands, not your fingers because your fingernails can puncture the suit.

You’ll Need to Wiggle

Performance swimwear, such as TYR tech suits, are as tight as they look. The goal of these suits is to fit like a second skin and create a more hydrodynamic body. This means you’ll need to wiggle a bit, especially in certain areas, such as the hips.

Use the Grip Strips

If you’re swimwear offers rubberized grip strips inside the legs or waist, make use of them. In order to use them properly, you will need to turn parts of your suit inside out to use them but they can be a valuable resource in helping you get into your technical suit.

Test Your Range of Motion

Once you feel as though your suit is securely in place, check out the fit in the mirror to make sure the suit lies smoothly against your skin. It can also be useful to move your arms and legs a bit to ensure you have the proper range of motion.

If you’re looking for the right performance swimwear for your needs, contact us. We carry a full array of swimwear to suit every swimmer.

How Swimming Improves Athletic Performance in Other Sports

How Swimming Improves Athletic Performance in Other Sports

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While competitive swimming is a sport in itself, these individuals aren’t the only ones who need competitive swimwear in Dallas. In fact, athletes in other sports can often benefit in participating in swimming, either casually as part of their training or as a competitive swimmer in the off season of their primary sport. In either situation, there are a number of benefits swimming can offer to athletes in all sports.

Competitive swimming can help with other sports too.
Condition for other sports with the help of competitive swimming.

Prevent or Rehab Injuries

Injuries are common in every sport. However, when you participate in swimming, you will condition your muscles without causing additional stress on the muscles or joints. This can help prevent injuries when you’re participating in your other sport as well. If you do become injured, swimming can be a great supplement to your rehab, working your muscles and joints in a less stressful environment.

Improve Your Cardio

One of the areas all athletes need to work on is their cardio. There are many ways to work on this aspect of your health and stamina, but swimming can be one of the best options. Instead of heading to the gym and working up a sweat on the machines, you can jump in the pool and enjoy yourself while you work on your cardio.

Build Muscle Strength

The stronger your muscles are, the better you will be able to do what you need to for your chosen sport. Whether you do a lot of running or you need power in your arms, swimming can offer the muscle conditioning you need to become a better overall athlete. Unlike the workouts you get at the gym, spending time in the pool and swimming laps can help strengthen your muscles just as effectively without an increased risk of injury or stress.

Better Lung Capacity

Breathing is an essential element when it comes to participating in any sport. While you will learn how to hold your breath for longer, you will also learn how to better control your breathing. This, in turn, increases overall lung capacity. In the end, you will find your heart rate returns to normal much faster after working out, allowing you to perform better on the field without causing more stress on your body.

If you’re looking for performance swimwear so you can boost your performance in other sports, contact us. We carry everything you need to add swimming to your training regiment.

How to Set Short-Term Goals for Long-Term Improvement

How to Set Short-Term Goals for Long-Term Improvement

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Racing swimsuits are just part of your success.
Your success doesn’t rely solely on having the right racing swimsuits.

When you join competitive swimming, you may be focused on choosing the right racing swimsuits and becoming the best swimmer you can be. While it’s important to set your eye on the end prize, it’s also critical to set up some short-term goals that will help you move toward this overall goal. It’s not all about the performance swimwear you choose; it’s about making small strides, just like you do with most of the other things you do in life. Breaking it up into smaller pieces will make it all seem easier in the end.

Be Specific

It’s easy to make your goals more general, but this can make them much more difficult to effectively achieve. This is why it’s so important to be extremely specific in your goals. Rather than setting a goal to improve your overall speed in the water, for instance, consider setting a specific time goal. However, it’s also critical to keep in mind how likely you are to be able to achieve this goal. Reaching too far too quickly can easily let you down and make it more difficult to continue focusing.

Take Action

It may seem easy to sit down in from the of the computer and do some research on how to become a better swimmer. While this information can be invaluable in helping you toward your end goal, it isn’t the best way to see the results you’re looking for. After all, you can watch a large number of videos, but if you don’t actually do something, you aren’t going to improve. Instead, try to set aside some extra time for your practices. Even 15 more minutes can go a long way toward achieving your goals. Doing some exercises at home when you’re not at the pool can also help.

Keep Track of Progress

Setting goals isn’t the only thing you should be doing. If you aren’t tracking your progress toward your end goal, it’s easy to lose site of the objectives you have put in place. Create a spreadsheet or find another way to keep track of the small successes you have so you can visualize the progression toward your goal. This ensures you remain focused on your end goal and can check off some of those short-term markers as well.

If you’re looking for the best competitive swimwear in Dallas, contact us. We carry everything you need to become a more effective swimmer.

How to Incorporate Weight Lifting into Your Swim Training

How to Incorporate Weight Lifting into Your Swim Training

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When you’re involved with swimming competitively, there’s more than just performance swimwear and spending time training in the pool. It’s essential to use other elements to work out and get your body stronger so you can swim more efficiently. As you work to develop your competitive swimming techniques, it’s necessary to use other methods, including weight lifting. This process can build the strength in your muscles so you can swim faster and more efficiently, giving you the competitive edge in your races.

A competitive swimmer needs more than performance swimwear.
Performance swimwear isn’t all you need to be a competitive swimmer.

Which First?

You may wonder if you should spend your time in the pool first or if you should go to the gym and then the pool. When you swim first, you raise your body temperature and get your heart rate up, which means you will burn more calories as you spend time weight lifting. However, you are more likely to already feel tired when you hit the gym, which can severely limit the amount of effort you can put into your weight lifting routine. This includes resistance training, which is important for swimmers. On the other hand, if you go to the gym for weight lifting first, you will get to the fat burning element of your exercise routine more quickly. When you expend more energy in the weight room, you develop muscle more quickly, increasing the effectiveness of your strength training. Unfortunately, you will still feel more fatigued when you hit the pool and your muscles can actually be weaker for a period of time after weight lifting.

Why Weight Lifting?

Most people recognize using weight lifting as part of their competitive swimming training because it increases strength and helps build muscle, which is essential to a good performance in the water. However, keep in mind fatiguing your muscles and continuing to work out in the pool can increase the risk of injuries so it’s important to be careful. Other benefits of using weight lifting as part of your swim training is to improve your level of endurance in the water over time and to help you lose weight.

It can be difficult to balance weight lifting with your workouts in the pool, but it’s an important part of the process if you want to swim your best. Working with your coach can help you make the smart decisions so you don’t suffer from the negative impact of muscle fatigue, but you also don’t end up neglecting necessary parts of your training.

If you’re looking for the best competitive swimwear brands in Dallas, TX, contact us. We have everything you need to enhance your performance in the water.

4 Ways to Prevent Muscle Cramps While Swimming

4 Ways to Prevent Muscle Cramps While Swimming

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One of the biggest issues individuals may fear when they take part in competitive swimming isn’t just surrounding their competitive swimwear in Dallas. Muscle cramps can be a serious problem for those who spend a lot of time in the water. There are many things that can increase your risks of muscle cramping, but the good news is there are also a variety of things you can do to minimize those risks, including wearing the right performance swimwear for proper compression.

Learn to prevent muscle cramps in competitive swimming.
Competitive swimming can leave you prone to muscle cramps, but you can prevent them.

Drink Plenty of Water

Sure, you’re surrounded by water as you swim, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get dehydrated. While you’re swimming, you actually are still sweating, even if you can’t tell because your body is already wet. However, this means you do need to work to replenish your fluids, just like you would when participating in any other sport.

Stretch Properly

Muscle fatigue is another cause of muscle cramps. This means you need to take extra precautions to ensure your muscles are warmed up properly before you hit the pool. Proper stretching before your workout can help reduce muscle fatigue and ensure your muscles are ready to do the work. Don’t forget to stretch them out a bit when you leave the pool as well.

Add a Little Salt

We’re all taught to carefully watch our salt intake because too much sodium isn’t a good thing for our bodies for a number of reasons. However, when you sweat, even in the pool, your body is losing a larger amount of salt than normal. Too little sodium in your system can also be a bad thing, which is why it’s recommended to add a little salt to your drinking water when you participate in competitive swimming.

Watch Your Intensity

It’s important to gradually increase the intensity of your workout rather than going all in. In order to keep your muscles from getting fatigued and ultimately cramping up, listen to your body as you increase the intensity of what you’re doing. If you’re feeling tired, back off a bit.

Taking care of your body is just as essential to competitive swimming as choosing the right performance swimwear. Learning how to prevent cramping will save you from a lot of pain and ensure you’re doing your workouts the right way.

If you’re looking for the best competitive swimwear in Dallas, contact us. We carry everything you need to make the most out of your competitive swimming workouts.

Competitive Swimsuit Fabric Guide

Competitive Swimsuit Fabric Guide

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How are you supposed to approach finding the perfect performance swimwear? Hundreds of new swimmers ask themselves this question each year, and for understandable reasons. It can be a challenging task to endeavor. If you’re new to shopping for swimwear, you may have all sorts of questions brewing. What key traits are you supposed to look for? Are certain materials better than others? The good news is you’ve come to the right place for answers to these questions. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.

All competitive swimwear brands have their own unique fabrics.
Competitive swimwear brands use their own fabrics.

Cotton

As you’ve shopped around, you’ve likely noticed a few pieces of performance swimwear here and there made out of cotton. Are they worth investing in? While cotton works well enough for your undergarments and everyday clothing, they actually often prove to be less effective for swimsuits. While it’s certainly one of the most pleasant fabrics to wear around, it can be incredibly difficult to purchase swimsuits made of cotton in the first place. This is because they aren’t commonly made. Additionally, water and cotton fabric simply don’t mix; water may deform the shape of a cotton swimsuit over time, as cotton is very absorbent.

Nylon

Nylon is one of the more common materials out there for performance swimwear. While nylon can be a good choice, it’s worth noting that this particular material doesn’t have as long of a lifespan as others. It is also sensitive to chlorine, which can hurt its longevity. If you simply want something that fits well and is easy to wear, however, nylon may still present a good match for your needs.

Polyester

Most competitive swimwear brands use polyester above all other fabrics. This is because of the numerous benefits polyester offers. Not only does it have an incredibly long lifespan and durability, but it also is less prone to stretching. Additionally, it’s designed to maintain its coloring and be less sensitive overall to chlorine. Most performance swimwear made from polyester is guaranteed to fit well. The only drawbacks are its lower elastic content and price. The lower amount of elastic makes polyester swimsuits less able to stretch, which can initially hinder your ability to put the swimsuit on. Polyester may also be less affordable if you are on a strict budget.

Overall, if you are on the hunt for high quality competitive swimwear in Dallas, there are definitely some fabrics far more worth considering than others. For more information on how to choose the best performance swimwear, contact us at D&J Sports today.

How to Choose the Right TYR Swimsuit for Training

How to Choose the Right TYR Swimsuit for Training

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When it comes to choosing the right performance swimwear, you likely have your preferences. If TYR competitive swimwear is just your style, there are certain things you need to consider as you make your final decision. The following tips will help you select the appropriate swimsuit to ensure you can train your hardest and perform your best.

Find the right TYR swimwear for your needs.
Learn how to choose TYR swimwear.

The Design

Women’s TYR swimwear in particular comes in a variety of designs from which you can choose. Not only do you need to decide which one is more comfortable for you, but you also need to understand what the various advantages of each type are so you can make the best decision for your training efforts. For instance, the crossed straps of the Crosscutfit provide an enhanced range of motion you can’t get from many other options. However, the Diamondfit design is more conducive to supporting the back. Finally, TYR offers an “X” design with thin straps that provide a middle ground between the previous two suits. For those looking for more support, the Maxfit suit features thicker straps that offer the ultimate in support.

For men, there are a number of options as well. As you look at the TYR competitive swimwear, you will find traditional briefs, which create more drag than many of the other choices. Jammers are similar to running shorts and offer more coverage that also reduces the amount of drag. In addition, for training purposes, TYR offers a line of drag suits that are meant to create more drag to help swimmers focus on particular aspects of their technique.

Materials

Once you know what kind of fit you prefer for your performance swimwear, you can move on to choosing the right materials for your needs. TYR features a long-lasting fabric designed just for this company called Xtra Life Lycra. This is in addition to the traditional Lycra suits. However, if you’re looking for training swimwear that doesn’t cost as much, TYR also offers nylon and polyester swimsuits. It’s important to keep in mind these swimsuits won’t last as long as the other materials available.

When you’re searching for the right TYR competitive swimwear for your training needs, it’s important to know what you should look for. In addition to selecting the right colors, you will also have your choice of designs for both men and women, as well as materials.

If you’re looking for the best selection of TYR swimwear, contact us. We carry everything you need to help you be a more effective swimmer.

5 Ways to Stay Focused During Races

5 Ways to Stay Focused During Races

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You have to consider more than competitive swimwear.
The right competitive swimwear is just part of swimming well.

There are a lot of distractions that can occur before and during a race that can negatively impact your performance. This is why it’s important to find ways to focus on your races. As soon as you put on your competitive swimwear and your best swimming goggles, consider these suggestions to ensure you can focus properly and perform your best.

Find Your Luck

You may have heard of lucky socks and any number of things individuals find lucky. While there isn’t much truth to an object actually bringing luck, just having something you can focus on can help reduce your stress levels and help you perform better. Something to believe in can be a valuable asset.

Don’t Watch the Clock

Watching the clock can create unnecessary stress that can negatively impact your performance. Whether you’re watching the other swimmers or you are finishing up your own race, don’t think about the time. Every time you get into the pool it’s a learning experience, even if you do finish in last.

Tune Out the Others

It’s easy to listen to what other people might be saying. While many swimmers are positive overall, there are some who may speak poorly about the other swimmers, including you. Listening to music or something else relaxing on headphones can help tune these individuals out so you can focus on your own performance.

Set Manageable Goals

Most competitive swimmers understand the importance of setting goals to help them improve their performance. Unfortunately, some swimmers set unrealistic goals too quickly, making it more likely they will be let down. Instead, break down your goals into smaller, more manageable chunks.

Swim for Yourself

You may feel like there are a lot of people counting on you. Your parents, your friends, your coach and others are there to cheer you on and celebrate your successes, but it’s important not to let them put undue pressure on you to always win. The fact remains you aren’t likely to win every time and that’s okay. Always make sure you are satisfied you did your best and not worry about letting others down.

In addition to buying the right performance swimwear, you need to find ways to focus so you can perform your best. The above can help, but it’s important to experiment and determine what works for you.

If you’re looking for competitive swimwear and other swimming gear, contact us. We carry everything you need to help you swim your best every time you enter the pool.

6 Efficacious Ways To Improve Your Swimming Performance

6 Efficacious Ways To Improve Your Swimming Performance

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Buying performance swimwear isn’t the only thing you need to worry about when it comes to learning how to swim more effectively. You also need to work hard to perfect your competitive swimming techniques so you can improve your speeds and perform even better in the water. The following tips can help you improve.

A kickboard can help hone your competitive swimming techniques.
Learn how to best work on your competitive swimming techniques.

Shorter Workouts

Many people think swimming a few longer sessions is better than spending less time in the water more frequently. Because your muscles require some down time in order to recover, it’s best to consider several smaller workouts versus one or two longer ones to yield better results.

Use Resistance

Resistance training is one of the most effective methods to increase your strength and your endurance. There are many tools you can implement into your workouts, including the best swimming kickboards, pull buoys, swim paddles, swim fins and more. Each one helps you focus on different aspects of your swim technique and parts of your body.

Eat Right

Your nutrition has a direct impact on your swimming performance. It’s important to eat a healthy diet at all times, particularly during those important time periods leading up to your next big race. Talk to your coach and your medical professional to find out which foods you should be eating to ensure a healthy body and a good performance.

Train Together

Studies have shown when you choose swim lanes next to others who are as fit as you and working toward many of the same goals as you, you are more likely to train harder. When you are more focused on doing better, you will find your performance improves much more.

Train Outside the Pool

Your training isn’t restricted solely to the pool alone. In fact, it can help you improve your overall performance by taking part in strength training outside the pool as well. This is typically referred to as dry training. However, this is just as essential to how well you swim as practicing your competitive swimming techniques in the water.

Time to Recover

It’s critical to give your muscles time to recover if you want to perform your best in the water. This is why shorter, more frequent workouts are much better than several longer session spread further apart. Creating that cycle of workout and recovery is the best way to improve your performance more quickly.

If you’re looking for the best performance swimwear and gear to improve your performance, contact us. We carry everything you need to become a stronger swimmer.

4 Ways To Ease Pre-Race Anxiety

4 Ways To Ease Pre-Race Anxiety

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Most swimmers are well aware of the need to prepare properly before any race. However, this doesn’t mean you won’t suffer from some pre-race anxiety. In fact, this is fairly common in the swimming world. You’ve invested a lot in your practice swimsuits and racing swimsuits and now it’s your time to shine. The following tips will help you deal with some of that anxiety so you can focus on performing your best.

You will need more than practice swimwear to do well.
Practice swimwear is just some of what you need.

Try Journaling

Writing isn’t a strong suit for everyone, but it doesn’t have to be in order to be effective. If you are able to write about your feelings regarding your next race, chances are you will be able to work through them more easily.

Don’t Overthink

It’s easy to eat, sleep and breathe swimming when it’s something you love, but this can unfortunately create more anxiety. This is why it’s often recommend to spend time focusing on other aspects of your life with the exception of while you are swimming, as well as about 15 to 20 minutes prior to your race.

Visualize

During the time period when you allow yourself to think about your swimming, it’s important to visualize yourself doing well. This will help your brain focus on the proper movements to ensure you perform your best when race time arrives.

Lean on Your Support System

There’s no shame in leaning on others to help you get through the time prior to your races so you can feel more relaxed. Trust in your coach, your teammates and your family and friends to keep your mind on other things outside of race time and help you find ways to relax so you can approach every race with less anxiety.

Stay Off the Phone

Today’s society sees a lot of people spending a significant amount of time on their phones, particularly with social media. This should be one of the things you give up close to race time. It can be easy to focus too much on other things, which can shift important brain space away from your performance.

If you’re looking for the best performance swimwear to help you swim your best, contact us. We carry everything you need to become a more focused swimmer so you can rest assured you are ready to go when race day arrives.