I’m fortunate enough to have a small pool (12m) in the new place I just moved into. I’d like to use it for training so am after advice on stationary swim systems. I’ve tried the Aqua Sphere one that attaches to my ankles, but it seems to pull my feet under so I need to swim with a PB. It just feels unnatural.
What have others used successfully? There seem to be some waist-attached devices (eg this one on amazon) - what works best?
You want something that attaches as close to water surface level as possible. Also, avoid tethers that are not stretchy since it won’t feel as natural. I think the TYR or FINIS items that come up on that page as related products look better, and then just make your own anchor point. This could be a rope tied to a stake in the ground so you aren’t being pulled at an angle out of the water.
I was given one by a pal not 3 weeks ago and it’s the TYR model with the stretchy cord. I absolutely LOVE The crap out of it and since my neighbor has a small pool I’m swimming there for my mock open water days. It’s a guesstimate, but since my stroke rate is ~ 70 I just multiply…if I want a 600 yard piece I do 420 strokes. I don’t feel any difference now, felt ‘different’ at first and can’t extrapolate much on it beyond that. LOVE it. Our long course pool opens in 3 weeks so probably won’t use it much after that, but tiring of 25 yards I sure loves me some TYR belt!
Nugget: Make sure you place the attachment down low. The one you linked is up high and if your goal is to make the experience as close to unassisted swimming as possible, lower the better. At least that is what I found. That extension shown on the Amazon link will equate to big cheat! I had mine attached to the railing about 2 feet up at first and it was like swimming with a pull buoy and once I lowered it there was almost no difference in fee to my reg pool stroke.
awesome thanks guys great advice
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Another thing to do to make your workouts more interesting is to get a set of kids water toys, the kind that sink to the bottom and place them directly under you as markers. Four or five would do it. The first one is an easy pace, like warm up. The spacing would take you from easy to all out sprint which would be the furthest you can go using the stretch cord. Using the markers would allow you to create some different sets with varied paces based on where you maintain your position above the markers. Get a cheap shower clock that has a second hand and put it on the side of the pool so you can see it. That way you can do sets using the pace clock. I took apart my $5 shower clock and glued a large red second hand to the small one that came on the clock and it made it easier to see. I thought about sealing it up with caulk and putting a weight on it and putting it on the bottom of the pool, just have not gotten around to it.
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What does your connection point look like? Low in the pool? Surface level?
An ideal level would be just below the surface of the water to give you kick a chance to hold you up.
In my experience, swimming with any stationary trainers takes some time to feel natural.
jake