Swimming is a complete sport, with numerous benefits for body and mind. To go even further, swimmers can use accessories if they feel like it. These will enable them to work on one or more specific points and thus improve their performance.
Here is an overview of the most commonly used swimming accessories.
Kickboard
The kickboard is mainly used for kick work. With the kickboard, the swimmer can isolate leg work, improve the kick and strengthen the lower muscles.
There are several types of boards, varying in size (small, medium and large), to suit the needs of all swimmers, from beginners to the most experienced. The kickboard also helps develop endurance and leg strength, while allowing you to concentrate on your breathing technique.
Fins
Fins are used to improve technique and strengthen leg muscles. They help increase the speed and efficiency of underwater movements.
Fins can vary in size. Short fins are ideal to work on speed and endurance (smaller, so easier to use in the pool, especially for turns). Long fins, on the other hand, are more often used for freediving and open water. They also help strengthen leg and ankle muscles, making every movement more efficient.
Pull Buoy:
The pull-buoy is a float, often placed between the thighs or ankles. It allows the swimmer to concentrate on pull work while keeping the legs afloat. This accessory is particularly useful for developing upper-body strength, strengthening the abdominal muscles and improving arm technique.
By using a pull-buoy, the swimmer will focus on alignment and the quality of each arm movement, which is essential for fast, efficient swimming. It also helps to correct buoyancy imbalances and stabilize the body.
Paddles
Swimming paddles are tools to attach to the hands to increase water resistance during arm movements. They are ideal for strengthening upper-body muscles and improving swimming technique.
By increasing the surface area in contact with the water, the paddles enable you to feel each phase of the arm movement more intensely, and thus work on propulsion. Available in different sizes, small paddles enable more technical and less intense work, while a large model will offer more resistance to the swimmer.