amyamy's swimming essentials

when i do my swimming routine, i will not swim without the following:

• speedo sonar goggles
  
• aqualine hand paddles
  
• aqua line training fins
  

the speedo goggles that i use is by far one of the best goggles i've came across. it's soft silicone mould that goes around your eyes don't leave marks after using them for a while, and they give very good vision when you're in water. it's absolutely comfortable, so if you're looking for a good pair of swim goggles, i'd highly recommend you get this model. i got it from Rebel Sports for about $45, but i'm pretty sure the price has been reduced since.

i've only started using the hand paddles after seeing the pro-swimmers use them. it improves your freestyle strokes (and others as well), and makes you work harder. basically, if you're doing the wrong stroke, you end up using more strength as it causes resistance. once you get the hang of using these hand paddles, swimming freestyle without them are a breeze :) my hand paddles are from aqua line (http://aqualine-swim-products.co.nz/) and they cost about $12.

training fins are for lazy bums like me. i'm a slow swimmer and i dont like using all my energy kicking and end up becoming tired quickly. i used to use the full length flippers, but i got too dependent on them after a while, so i decided to cut down on the length, and i ended up with training flippers. these make you go faster, and improves your kicking techniques. even though it makes you go faster, i think the amount of energy you put in to kick (with flippers) is about the same as kicking without flippers as flippers are quite heavy ;) that's only my opinion, and remember, i'm a lazy person! my training fins are from aqua line as well, and they cost about $19. Rebel Sports are selling a different brand for about $35-$40, depending on size.

other things that you might want to add are kick boards or flutter boards. i usually use them to warm up or warm down as well as using them in between my swim routines to catch up with my breath. it improves your stamina as well, as you're basically moving only by kicking. i do about 10-20 laps with kick boards, depending on how long i spend on swimming.

if you're thinking of taking up swimming, i'd recommend you to get a good full body swim togs as they are more comfortable than wearing a bikini. if you're a guy, PLEASE dont wear speedos? LOL! invest in those knee length tight shorts (think, tri-athletes!). they look much better than speedos! when you have proper togs, you wouldn't have to worry about exposing something ;)

other than that, if you love your hair more than i do, then use a swimming cap la. i love my hair, but i hate using swimming caps because it feels like my face skin is being stretched or pulled back, and i just hate hate hate it. but my hair is still fine, despite swimming 3 times a week. just condition it everyday or everytime after swimming!

and that ends my swimming essentials talk.

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chehwah! talk like pro only! HAHAHAHAH~ i just felt like blogging, and didnt know what to write, so i started writing about that :)

swimming rocks!