Experienced swimmers know that not all training equipment delivers the results it promises. This guide breaks down what’s worth investing in and what’s better left on the store shelf.
S-Tier Equipment: The Game Changers
Stretching Bands
Before even touching the water, a quality stretch band might be the most important piece of equipment in a swimmer’s arsenal. These simple elastic bands help warm up muscles, improve rotation, and prevent the nagging shoulder injuries that plague so many swimmers. The beauty of stretch bands is they work for swimmers at every level, from beginners to Olympic athletes. They’re essential for long-term shoulder health.
Fins
Swimming coaches frequently rank fins among their favorite training tools. They not only make swimming more enjoyable by increasing speed in the water, but they recruit more muscle fibers, improve body position, and teach swimmers how to maintain a higher position in the water.
Fun fact: Studies show swimming with fins can burn up to 30% more calories than regular swimming due to the increased resistance and muscle recruitment.
Smart Watches with Training Apps
The technology revolution has finally reached swimming, and it’s a game-changer. Smart watches with dedicated swimming apps provide real-time feedback, track progress, and keep swimmers accountable. The best ones can even analyze stroke technique and suggest improvements—essentially functioning as a coach on the wrist 24/7.
A-Tier Equipment: Highly Recommended
Nose Clips
For backstrokers, this simple piece of equipment can be invaluable. Elite backstrokers routinely wear nose clips in competition to prevent water from entering their nose. The best part? Unlike most training equipment, nose clips are completely legal in races.
Drag Socks
These resistance tools create additional drag on hands or feet, forcing swimmers to engage more muscle fibers to maintain speed. The beauty of drag socks is they improve both strength and feel for the water simultaneously. Using them a couple of times per week can produce noticeable improvements in power per stroke.
Parachutes
Swimming parachutes create uniform resistance throughout the entire stroke cycle, unlike equipment that focuses on just arms or legs. This makes them particularly effective for developing power without distorting technique. They’re especially valuable for intermediate to advanced swimmers looking to break through plateaus.
B-Tier Equipment: Situationally Useful
Underwater Cameras
Seeing oneself swim can be eye-opening. While professional underwater footage is nice, expensive equipment isn’t necessary—a smartphone on a tripod can capture 90% of what swimmers need to see. The real value comes from having someone knowledgeable analyze that footage.
Hand Paddles
These popular tools let swimmers pull more water and move faster with less effort, which feels amazing. However, they come with a warning: overuse can lead to shoulder issues, especially if technique isn’t solid. Beginners should start with smaller paddles, and coaches recommend that paddle work never exceed 50% of weekly training volume.
Snorkels
Center-mount snorkels allow swimmers to focus on body position without worrying about breathing. They also provide a bonus aerobic benefit by restricting airflow slightly. While they’re incredible for specific technique work, they’re not for everyone, especially beginners who might find them uncomfortable at first.
Tempo Trainers
For swimmers looking to increase stroke rate with precision, tempo trainers emit beeps at set intervals to help maintain a consistent cadence. They’re particularly useful for advanced swimmers working on pace control, but they require some technical knowledge to use effectively.
C-Tier Equipment: Use With Caution
Pull Buoys
These foam devices placed between the legs lift the hips in the water, which can feel great. The problem? They can mask fundamental technique issues rather than fixing them. Instead of becoming dependent on a pull buoy, swimmers should focus on improving head position and core engagement.
Technical Racing Suits
Yes, tech suits can make swimmers faster immediately—they reduce drag and compress the body into a more streamlined shape. But they’re expensive (often $300+), wear out quickly, and can create a false sense of speed if overused in training. Most coaches advise saving them for important competitions.
Drag Suits
These baggy suits were once a training staple, creating constant resistance throughout workouts. However, modern training philosophy emphasizes swimming fast to race fast—and drag suits do the opposite by training the body to move slowly through water. There are better ways to add targeted resistance to training.
F-Tier Equipment: Leave These Behind
Webbed Gloves
While popular in water aerobics, these thick gloves actually reinforce poor hand position for competitive swimming. They train fingers to spread too wide and move too slowly through the water—exactly opposite of what makes an effective catch.
Ankle Weights/Leg Restraints
Any equipment that ties legs together or weighs them down is counterproductive. They force legs to sink (destroying proper body position) and train the body to move slowly through water. The negative technique reinforcement outweighs any potential strength benefits.
The 50% Rule for Equipment
For competitive swimmers, experts recommend following this golden rule: No single piece of equipment should account for more than 50% of total weekly training volume. While individual workouts might focus heavily on one tool, across the entire training week, at least half should be unassisted swimming.
Final Thoughts
The best equipment complements good technique rather than compensating for weaknesses. Before investing in fancy gear, swimmers should work with a coach who can analyze their stroke and recommend specific tools that address particular needs.
Remember: Olympic gold medals were won long before most of these gadgets existed. The most important equipment any swimmer brings to the pool will always be a focused mind and consistent effort.
