(Part 2) Best products from r/swimming

Apologies for missing this http://www.reddit.com/user/fatsmcgee, not very efficient with reddit yet. And apologies for a long, late, post. Hoping to see some of your approaches/ideas too.

I guess it depends on what you mean by video analysis... actually analyzing the video, not so much. I think the best analysis is video comparison - showing a swimmers stroke vs. elite swimmers. They can visually see what they need to do differently. It's more effective and it saves me time. If they are interested they engage, if they are uninterested their 'oh that's nice' means I saved time not building a full analysis. Here's an example I use for turns, Katie Ledecky basically 3rd into the wall then 1st by 15m. The second part shows her textbook turn technique underwaterslomo. I'd send this along with a video of the swimmers turn with points on what they need to do better, then followup on deck with above water video to keep the improvements coming.

It is probably simplistic to most, but I do this with a laptop, a Mozilla Fireworks browser add-on to download Youtube videos and then use Win Media Player to slow mo a video and record my actions back to video with snagit. But, I have snagit for work, so the whole set up is free to me. techsmith also makes Coach's Eye, which seems cool, but I have not played with.

As for actual video equipment:

For on deck, above water, I think any standard tablet will fit the bill I think. Easy to record and review with the swimmer in the moment. I've done phone too, but tablet is easier for older swimmers to see especially if trying to point out elbow position, hand placement etc.

For underwater I currently use a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 with a Intova Camera Bar/Pole Mount on a typical painters extension pole that was in my garage. Previously I used the TX10 which was just as good and sells on ebay for a fraction, if cost is a real concern - although unknown/used electronics in water, to me, carries an unacceptably higher risk of failure. I like the SONY for price, but physical 2 reasons, with touch screen video can be reviewed on deck and the slim profile decreases shake from water resistance. Here's a sample video showing side profile and head on. Whole rig: $250.00.

Things I don't like: its fine for mediocre to slow swimmers, but faster or all out paces might make the rig too shaky to be useful. Second, it takes a little practice to make sure you have the person in the frame (notice I cut off this guys feet) and maybe a couple tries.

If I was starting over and/or doing this for a career I'd consider the Go Pro Hero 3+ black edition. With built in Wifi you'd be able to record underwater video then show it on a tablet, in theory. I say in theory b/c it is, to me, untested... maybe the wifi sucks, maybe the bulkiness causes too much shake, maybe it takes forever to download the videos over wifi. But, if it worked, you could go crazy and couple a web capable TV with Google Chromecast to review almost real time on a TV. Whole rig (Go Pro, tablet, pole & mount) under 600.

Edit: formatting. FWIW, the DSC-TX20 is also my go to point and shoot camera. Pictures are great, features are spectacular, stands up to abuse - the only real detriment is the small 3x zoom.

Not exactly to you question, but I don't see how a cap protects you from chlorine.

Just using something like afterwards Ultra Swim

When you swim you want your head down in the water looking straight down, even looking a back (chin closer to chest ... but relaxed) ... so that your head fairly submerged. When you put the swim cap on (how I would do it) you have to 1st fill it with water then put on your head ... this allows for water between you head and cap (nearly no air). If you create an air bubble your head is more buoyant and you will have a much harder time keeping your head down for good swim posture. Or you will get neck ache when you swim for a long period of time.

I use a cap when 1) the pool requires it 2) its very cold and would like to retain some body heat.

As for how good you swim, or what the cap looks like ... who cares what other people think? :) Wear what ever you like, I say!

I've had a similar new swimmer experience as you trying to swim free style for distance.

Pull buoy was great, but I used it too much.

So I graduated to fins (http://www.amazon.com/FINIS-2-35-003-Zoomers-Gold-Yellow-Zoomers/dp/B004O6G9W4), but tried to consciously not get hooked on using them more than whole stroke swimming based on my aforementioned pull buoy addiction. Fins are still lots of fun, but I use them sparingly.

From there, I went to using kick board in between sets and a LOT at the end of workouts. My basic goal being to get the muscle memory in place (my kick, like yours, was only good for short distances) so that I can kick without thinking about it. As has been stated above, it's really all about body position (mostly head and hips for me). This last piece worked wonders for me.

Good luck!

I very highly recommend this book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0736074570/ref=oh_o01_s01_i00_details

It has drills and is the best source to good technique I have seen (if anyone knows a better one I am more than willing to hear since I am no expert really) and since swimming is 70% technique that is important.

Also, you will get dehydrated (I am not joking, really!). So take a water bottle in with you. That needent be anything fancy though.

Edit: I have a microfibre towel which I love but the main reasons I love it are it packs down really small to fit in my work bag and you can use it 3-4 times before it is too wet to work. If you are better organised than me and don't plan to take you kit to or from work you can use whatever suits you...

Thanks for the good word! The headphones are definitely something we're looking to keep improving this year. For most people the short cord headphones work fantastic, we're working to make that true for all people.

In the meantime, from my/our experience there's a few other good headphone options to consider:
The X-1 Surge have a pretty good sound quality and most people who've used them, really enjoy them.
The Pyle Waterproof headphones have a serviceable sound quality, but where they really seem to shine is that most people can get them to stay in their ears for an entire swim.
The bone conduction solutions work pretty well, but the sound is really diminished out of the water, just something to keep in mind if you do any other kind of training.

They make swim caps specifically for long hair. I have a Speedo silicone long hair swim cap and I like it. I can't use latex though (allergy) so I can't compare. It will take some learning to get it on easily though. Mine doesn't keep the pool water out of my hair completely--my hair still ends up wet, but not totally soaked. I wash my hair immediately after swimming with shampoo & conditioner, and my hair has stayed fine.

I've never had problems with my nails, but again, showering immediately after swimming helps a lot.

Chlorine does hurt a little, but if you find some good goggles you should be able to minimize how much water gets into your eyes.

No idea on the nose thing, sorry. Good luck with your swimming lessons & good for you for learning!! :)

I think it would be really beneficial for you to break up your swims a little. It really will help with your stamina. Instead of attempting a straight 2,000 meter swim, why not try 4x500m with like two minute breaks between every 500?

Or you could do 10x200m. Or you could do like 200m swim, 200m pull, 200m kick.

When I first started swimming I got this book: http://www.amazon.com/The-Waterproof-Coach-Swimmers-Triathletes/dp/0965623009

And it really, really, really helped with my workouts. Building up the endurance and mental strength to do a 10k (even in a pool) really is an effort. Also, from what I heard, if you don't do the right drills or have the right technique you can cause injuries. This is why things like catch-up, fists, and body rotation drills are so important.

Also, with the longer distances, it really helps to do flipturns, it increases your speed and I've been told it reduces stress on your shoulders.

I don't know much about how to keep track if you can't wear a watch, maybe you could google it? Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I'm not as experienced as a lot of the distance swimmers in the forum, not even close- but I can try to help. There are a lot of amazing distance swimmers in r/swimming.

I like Aqua Sphere Kayenne goggles for fitness swimming. Very comfortable and great visibility.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00208EIRQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_iBjyxbN9R8C9Q

I personally like the Neptune Finis, but the Waterfi iPod shuffle was a great (and durable) player you could use in and out of the water -- if you get aftermarket headphones (I've had luck with these: http://www.amazon.com/Hydroharmony-Waterproof-Headphones-Model-HH-01/dp/B00F4LRX3W/ ).

Here's a recent discussion on the topic from this sub: http://www.reddit.com/r/Swimming/comments/2u6uv2/best_way_to_listen_to_music_while_swimming/

My buddy was swimming with a water-proofed Apple shuffle last week and said it worked well. I noticed he didn't have the same headphones though. I'm sure there are better ones out there from a fit and comfort perspective.

Can i recommend this book to you, it is really good and really well written. It has exercises for all areas of swimming and explains why those exercises are good for you, as a swimmer.

http://www.amazon.com/Swimming-Anatomy-Ian-McLeod/dp/0736075712

I bought one of these Lap Counters It works really nice. It slips around your finger and you press the button with your thumb during a flip turn. I got the one that also keeps time for me. I really love it.

https://www.amazon.com/Speedo-Hydrosity-Mirrored-Goggle-Charcoal/dp/B008RK4ZCE/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=swim+googles+speedo&qid=1562418117&s=gateway&sr=8-10

cheap enough? I've had these for years. I only went through a couple of pairs because I kept losing them. They fit me perfectly. (They might not fit you so perfectly)

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I also have a separate pair of racing focused goggles that were sub $50! (Some of them go $200 or more!)

Here are some books that might help:

• [Gold in the Water] (http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Water-Ordinary-Extraordinary-Olympic/dp/0312265956/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=)
  
• [First to the Wall: 100 Years of Olympic Swimming] (http://www.amazon.com/First-Wall-Years-Olympic-Swimming/dp/0967417104/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=017ZJAE51HMBM03Y0E8W)
  
• [Golden Girl: How Natalie Coughlin Fought Back, Challenged Conventional Wisdom, and Became America's Olympic Champion] (http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Girl-Coughlin-Challenged-Conventional/dp/1594862540/ref=pd_sim_b_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=017ZJAE51HMBM03Y0E8W)
  
• [They Ruled the Pool: The 100 Greatest Swimmers in History] (http://www.amazon.com/They-Ruled-Pool-Greatest-Littlefield/dp/0810887460/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y)
  
• [By a Fraction of a Second] (http://www.amazon.com/Fraction-Second-Lois-Ruskai-Melina/dp/0964778238/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420826205&sr=1-2&keywords=by+a+fraction+of+a+second)
  
• [The Great Swim] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Great-Swim-Gavin-Mortimer/dp/B003TO6E9K)
  
• [Historical Dictionary of Competitive Swimming] (http://www.amazon.com/Historical-Dictionary-Competitive-Swimming-Dictionaries/dp/0810867753)
  
• [The Most Memorable Moments in Olympic Swimming] (http://www.amazon.com/Memorable-Moments-Olympic-Swimming-Littlefield/dp/144223699X/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420827130&sr=1-1&keywords=the+most+memorable+moments+in+olympic+swimming)
  
• [Champions: The Making of Olympic Swimmers] (http://www.amazon.com/Champions-Swimmers-Daniel-F-Chambliss/dp/0688076181/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420827685&sr=1-11&keywords=1988+olympics)
  
• [The History of Olympic Swimming, Vol. 1: 1896-1936] (http://www.amazon.com/The-History-Olympic-Swimming-Vol/dp/B003RDFE80)
  
  Also, these aren't specifically swimming-focused, but they may mention swimming in them:
  
  
• [Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games] (http://www.amazon.com/Boycott-Stolen-Dreams-Moscow-Olympic/dp/0942257405/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420826968&sr=1-1&keywords=boycott+stolen+dreams+of+the+1980+moscow+olympic+games)
  
• [Rome 1960: The Olympics That Changed the World] (http://www.amazon.com/Rome-1960-Olympics-Changed-World/dp/1416534075/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1420827512)

I'm no doctor but can highly recommend the approach laid out in the following book https://www.amazon.com/Shoulder-Solution-Prevention-Revised-Expanded/dp/1589096428 The program basically involves hanging from a pull up bar to help remodel your shoulder.

My favorite is Gold in the Water by PH Mullen. It's really inspiring. Reviews and stuff on Amazon

This is the one I have - my hair is down to my shoulder blades and this works just fine. Soak your hair first and then bun it for the best results.

These have served me very well. They're very comfortable and in my experience last quite a while.

Something like this might work - a flip belt would be minimally intrusive to your stroke, it has a clip on it - then just toss your keys into a small waterproof poly bag and you should be good to go!

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https://flipbelt.com/flipbelt

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https://www.amazon.com/Aquapac-Waterproof-Submersible-Polyurethane-Immobilizers/dp/B0012BQZ0A

When I started increasing my lap counts I bought a little finger counter

http://www.amazon.com/SportCount-Inc-90030-Stopwatch-Yellow/dp/B000SAXMS4/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1419321802&sr=8-15&keywords=swim+counter

Now I wear a Garmin Swim and love it.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Swim-Watch-Connect/dp/B008EFU5T4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1419321802&sr=8-3&keywords=swim+counter

This one is pretty cool.

i own and love this http://www.amazon.com/Waterfi-Waterproof-iPod-Shuffle-Generation/dp/B00474HQAM/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1314651809&sr=1-1

Thanks for writing so fast! I'm still not sure if I should get square legs or jammers... I found some endurance+ on amazon:

here are the square legs:

https://www.amazon.com/Speedo-Endurance-Polyester-Square-Swimsuit/dp/B000YZEJ2G/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=speedo%2Bsquare%2Bleg&qid=1551067719&s=gateway&sr=8-2&th=1&psc=1

here are the jammers:

https://www.amazon.com/Speedo-Endurance-Polyester-Jammer-Swimsuit/dp/B000YZPLZ0/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=speedo%2Bjammers&qid=1551068156&s=gateway&sr=8-5&th=1&psc=1

How do those look? I am a very skinny person, and so I am wondering if I might want the Jammers for extra warmth.

With the endurance+, are they still fast? I don't need super sonic fast, but I don't want to be bogged down either. Do you have endurance+?

Same boat. I use this book. Ive found that unless i have a workout spelled out for me I'll be in the hottub after 1500 yards lol

The Waterproof Coach: The Waterproof Workout Book for Fitness Swimmers and Triathletes https://www.amazon.com/dp/0965623009/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_EBhZCbAFRS1DD

Personally I would occasionally rinse off after wards, but I instead used this shampoo and conditioner when I would shower at home. As for my swim cap since I'm a guy I usually don't use a swim cap when I practice, but I do wet my hair before putting it on at a meet. Although for the women on the team they would either put it into a bun, or a pony tail then flip it onto their head when putting the cap on. but yea definitely check out those shampoos!

It sounds like your main concern is that you are printing on paper for a single use and it gets tossed?

Good question, since that's what I do as well. I am a coach, so print out a copy of the workout for each lane, and it gets stuck to a kickboard as you describe.

So you got me to thinking, and I did a little searching. It looks like there are some companies that make smaller 'lap sized' dry erase boards.

example at amazon, a set of 10 dimensions 12"x9"

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011N66UOO/ref=s9_acsd_zgift_hd_bw_b4UAy_c_x_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-10&pf_rd_r=RKJM65H060GB6TBBTGEC&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=ede7488f-d423-5807-a0bd-ef8f92a7c1f7&pf_rd_i=1069312

Maybe somebody sells individual. I'd check Staples as well.

Write out the workout in dry erase marker and maybe pop one of those in a ziploc, prop it up on the deck somehow.

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I also thought of a tablet - I have an iPad, for example, but it seems risky to put that so close to the water. I use a tablet for coaching, and am fine walking on deck with it, but would be nervous leaving it unattended and so close to the edge, even in a ziploc.

A cheaper electronic option could be a child's doodle toy. eg: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00N9WIB8E/ref=s9_acsd_top_hd_bw_b7MGky3_c_x_w?pf_rd_m=A1IM4EOPHS76S7&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-10&pf_rd_r=E4R7FGFXB3DY38EFTGR4&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=b54ca7e4-f0fa-5aa8-9cf2-6e989ebe8ac7&pf_rd_i=6742003011

i was thinking of maybe getting some of these http://www.amazon.com/FINIS-2-35-003-Zoomers-Gold-Yellow-Zoomers/dp/B004O6G9W4 and a kickboard. feel like that could work for a good while no?

These work good.

http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PWPE10B-Marine-Waterproof-Headphones/dp/B0037Z4MCM/ref=pd_sim_e_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Z23CMDKATCKCW4NHZ2V

I listen to podcasts while swimming using these.

I like that there isn't anything in my ears and I can still hear what is going on around me.

I have been a competitive swimmer for roughly 9 years and the highest recommendation I can give is a Speedo Endurance Plus jammer. They last about a year swimming 1-3 times a day 6 days a week. They usually only go out because the drawstring breaks or the suit comes apart at the seams. They have similar waist sizes to jeans and regular trousers.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YZPLZ0/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_RE2Pub1KHG939

Link