How To Make A Home Pool Swimming Training Device
Making A Device For Swim Training In The Backyard Swimming Pool
Feb 22, 2009
Swimming is regarded as one of the best exercises, even though it doesn’t always result in weight loss. Usually the backyard pool isn’t the best place for swimming training.
There are a number of ways around this.
- A lap pool in the back yard. This can be expensive and prohibitive.
- A swim jet pool. This is a device at the end of the pool that creates a current for the swimmer to swim against. There are also pools built specially for this purpose. The problem is the high initial cost and then operating and maintenance costs.
- A home pool swimming training device. This is an inexpensive device used in the back yard swimming pool where the swimmer’s feet are anchored and the swimmer swims against an elastic strap to get the required resistance.
A home pool swimming training device can be made cheaply, using bits and pieces available around the home.
Items To Make A Home Pool Swimming Training Device
- A bicycle tube. Use an old one, or spend a few dollars on a cheap one.
- A towel to strap the swimmer’s feet to the rope.
- Some rope
- A pole, or other secure point around the pool, such as a fence post.
- A swimming flotation board
How To Make A Home Pool Swimming Training Device
1) Determine a securing point. This may be a fence post, a tree or a pole. The securing point must be firm as a good swimmer will exert a fair bit of force.
2) The securing point must be about one foot (30 centimetres) off the pool surface, and positioned so the rope extends unhindered from the securing point into the pool.
3) One end of the rope is tied off on the bike tube.
4) The other end of the rope is tied to the pole. Any knot will do; or use a clove hitch or bowline.
5) Adjust the rope length so the end of the bike tube will be a foot or so short of where the swimmer’s feet will be in the pool.
6) Sew the short ends of the towel together to make a loop.
7) Attach the bicycle tube to the towel by looping it back on itself.
How To Use A Home Pool Swimming Training Device
The swimmer gets in the pool and secures their ankles to the towel by twisting the towel back on itself, thereby trapping the ankles. It should be set up so the harder the swimming, the harder the towel grips the ankles. (Refer pictures.)
Because the legs aren’t working, they may have a tendency to sink. Use a swimming flotation board to keep the legs supported.
Swimming With A Home Pool Swimming Training Device
One of the problems swimming freestyle with a home pool swimming training device is the breathing. When swimming training in a lap pool, water flows past the mouth so it is possible to breathe without taking in a dose of water.
With a home pool swimming training device, the water is stationary so the first few swims can be a bit disconcerting as mouthfuls of water are taken in. This can be addressed by swimming with a snorkel.
This simplistic home pool swimming training device should be considered a supplement for a proper swimming training regime. It provides for swim training in the backyard and is of main benefit for the arms and upper body. It doesn’t improve swimming technique, and should only be considered for building fitness and stamina.
Lap swimming should be done to keep up good swimming technique.
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