Does anyone have experience with using a swim tether for your backyard swimming pool?
I read the prior post in January…not that helpful.
I know it doesn’t replace a real pool workout, but I am only getting to the pool 2-3X/week
My thought was I could get in some additional shorter sessions, mainly for strength work, not so much form.
I revised my stroke this year, and I think my form is better, and that’s what i work on at the pool, but my strength/stamina with the new form is lacking.
I thought maybe I could attach something to the fence or the diving board.
Appreciate any thoughts.
Paul
Background (if relevant): 1:30/100yard average for 1000 when swimming all out, 1:06 IM swim times
I used to live in a small town with a small hotel pool to swim in. I rigged up a rope and pulley system that I would fasten to the hand rail in the pool. I used old tubes to make loops to slide over my ankles and used this as a stationary swimmer. the pulley would allow me to move my legs independently. you fasten the pulley at water level to stay flat. i would do short time based intervals with appropriate rest. i think its ok for strength but I wouldn’t over do it. you could certainly work on your technique and strength with this as it would be similar to a trainer.
I butchered something together a few years ago with thin bungee ropes from a climbing shop and velcro straps for my ankles.
It’s an insanely boring way to get a swim workout in but better than nothing.
I found it easier to use a snorkel, the lack of a bow wave to breathe behind was exceptionally annoying
Bonus, when the original “shoes” wore out/ripped/came apart (that version no longer sold) their customer service sent me the model now displayed on the website for free.
The main plus for me was it was natural, just felt like you had some version of fins on based on the slight added resistance. I’m pretty sure I paid more like $40-50 shipped but that was in ~2008.
Due to knee issues my HS swimmer son used a tether system quite a bit over the winter. It looked like a fishing pole attached to a waist harness. I am pretty certain he would say that it helped him maintain fitness and strength when he needed to avoid/reduce turns and kicking. David K
Does anyone have experience with using a swim tether for your backyard swimming pool?
I read the prior post in January…not that helpful.
I know it doesn’t replace a real pool workout, but I am only getting to the pool 2-3X/week
My thought was I could get in some additional shorter sessions, mainly for strength work, not so much form.
I revised my stroke this year, and I think my form is better, and that’s what i work on at the pool, but my strength/stamina with the new form is lacking.
I thought maybe I could attach something to the fence or the diving board.
Appreciate any thoughts.
Paul
Background (if relevant): 1:30/100yard average for 1000 when swimming all out, 1:06 IM swim times
I used some kind of stretch cordz (sp?) with a belt and rubber tube for family vacations and work trips w/ only small pool access. My feeling was it was probably better than nothing, but hard to quantify the workout. You can only track time, obviously, so it’s pretty much only a conditioning tool. You could judge effort by how hard the band is pulling, so there is some feedback, but it is pretty boring since there are zero disruptions. Maybe that’s good for OWS simulation. It’s a tool, and if it’s the difference btw swimming and not, then it’s worth it. YMMV -J
I use this. It is meant for between lanes but I added some rope and it works the same in my small backyard pool. It is definitely different from the real things but, like you I feel it works fro strength and ultimately gets me in the water more. However, I have found I can use it to work on small form issues as well. The only real differences I see from swimming are 1. I feel like I have to kick a bit more because I’m not getting forward propulsion. 2. I feel like breathing is a bit different because I’m not creating a bow wave from forward propulsion.
I purchased a 15 ft. piece of elastic physical therapy cord. I tied a small loop in each end. In the pool, I wrap it around a ladder or rail, I put one foot through each loop, and I swim. Easy and cheap.
Does anyone have experience with using a swim tether for your backyard swimming pool?
I read the prior post in January…not that helpful.
I know it doesn’t replace a real pool workout, but I am only getting to the pool 2-3X/week
My thought was I could get in some additional shorter sessions, mainly for strength work, not so much form.
I revised my stroke this year, and I think my form is better, and that’s what i work on at the pool, but my strength/stamina with the new form is lacking.
I thought maybe I could attach something to the fence or the diving board.
Appreciate any thoughts.
Paul
Background (if relevant): 1:30/100yard average for 1000 when swimming all out, 1:06 IM swim times
I did that a lot at my old place. I just cut an old bike tube, made a few knots, connected it to a cooler full of water, and started swimming. Josh Amberger taught me how to do that when staying at my house. Probably the only time I’ll ever be able to stay beside him in the water I also sunk a mirror to the bottom of the pool so I could get a look at my stroke while swimming. A snorkel helps since breathing isn’t quite as easy without forward motion. You don’t create that little pocket to breath in and are forced to lift your head a little higher.
Here’s a quick video. Note: One tube is a MTB tube which I found a little more comfortable.
I purchased a 15 ft. piece of elastic physical therapy cord. I tied a small loop in each end. In the pool, I wrap it around a ladder or rail, I put one foot through each loop, and I swim. Easy and cheap.
Wouldn’t recommend tethering to your feet. It can mess up your stroke mechanics. Would definitely go with something that is secured around your waist.
The Swim Tether Original or Swim Tether Mini (also sold on Amazon) should do the trick better than a simple bungee cord and belt mostly because it alleviates interference with your feet. The cord is actually held a few feet in the air by a collapsible pole. It’s a different experience (and truly resistance swimming) than using a swim spa since your arms are actually moving the water along side your body and behind you instead of getting assistance from a jet that pushes your arms. Take it easy the first time you “tether-up” since you’re going to get a workout several times more intense than you’re used to.
Do you use a swim snorkel?
Seems that that might be a necessity given the fact that you do not have a “wake” from forward propulsion in which to breathe
No need for a snorkel with proper breathing technique… it akin to open water swimming a bit in that you will get a light chop. I also was looking back at your OP and read you’re not necessarily looking for form improvement. It’s really awesome (since you aren’t moving anywhere) to either use a mirror on the bottom of the pool or have a second person/coach as an observer on deck to take note of your form and suggest minor corrections… lots of cool stuff to do with the swim tethers IMO
I also sunk a mirror to the bottom of the pool so I could get a look at my stroke while swimming. A snorkel helps since breathing isn’t quite as easy without forward motion. You don’t create that little pocket to breath in and are forced to lift your head a little higher.