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I'm thinking about getting a pull buoy to help with my form. Would it be worth using one---benefits? downsides? How would I use it without looking like a complete fool (not that I'm too worried about that, since I can laugh at myself, but I'd appreciate tips nonetheless).
Personally, I LOVE my pull buoy. I use it often with and without paddles to help me concentrate on my stroke (different aspects of it). Also, I think it helps me build some upper body strength having to pull myself through the water without the aid of my kicking legs. They're not that expensive, and I actually bought a kids one that was almost half the price of an adult sized one, and it works just fine. Just my 2 cents.
I love to pull with my pull buoy. It makes me feel buff. :p I think it's really good for making you work on making your stroke more efficient.
Veronica
It's also a nice facsimile of swimming in a wetsuit in that it gives your legs some of the same buoyancy. It gives you time/energy to ponder and improve your stroke. As for not looking silly--triathlon gives you endless opportunities for looking silly. Go with it. And there are other people using equipment at pools, so people don't notice as much as you might think.
I think I'll go ahead and get one. It's good to mix things up and anything that helps my technique is welcome.
Closer up your legs is best, rather than by your knees, correct?
PULL BUOY AND PADDLES,
they really help both technique and strength!
and are great for training for tri, say you did a sprint interval run in the AM, or a hard ride, then you do a pull and paddle work out, rest your legs and work on the upper body!
My coach requires us to do 2 x pull and paddles a week (out of 5 workouts)
Pull buoy ordered and hopefully on the way soon. I might try out one of the communal ones at the pool in the meantime.
No tri for me because I can't run w/out getting injured (a broken down former half- and full marathoner).
I swim to cross train and quite honestly, because I love it. :):):):):) It's my Zen time.... It's also keeping me sane since I've been unable/unwilling to ride outside since winter arrived (cold and/or snow).
Thanks, everyone, for the tips/encouragement.