Subject: RE: Pull Buoy and Paddles Benefit To be honest, I have ever seen anybody swim faster with a pull bouy than without. The concept of using a pull bouy as a crutch to swim faster... well it irks me! I can almost swim as fast with a pull bouy AND paddles as I can without either, but with just the bouy, it's not even close.
Being on a high school team, we incorporate pull into every warmup and some workouts in the later stages of the season. I'll second that for a more experienced swimmer with an already decent stroke, the pull bouy with paddles can work wonders for your stroke. Within the last week I've been able to improve my swim because of technique changes I made while pulling with my paddles. As for cost and hassle, I have a very good pair of paddles by TYR that cost me $15 (the Catalyst paddle ). They fit easily into a bag, but I keep them in a locker.
For putting on and taking off, it's fairly quick and easy for me as I only use two crossed cords over my middle three fingers. Just don't start out with intervaled sets where you have to change in and out alot, and you should be ok!
Another advantage I see to incorporating pull into workouts for a triathlete is the whole kicking approach that so many take. That is, don't kick hard until the end, to save your legs for later. If you have a strong pull, then this would be made easier. I don't want to debate the pros and cons of that strategy, but if you use it, I suppose it could help. Edited by sharp4850 2007-12-18 7:59 PM
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