Swimming Trunks – Which to Buy?

Trunks (or costume) are the one essential bit of kit that you need for swimming. There are loads of different types on the market – small ones, long ones, baggy ones, different brands, different colours and so on. And they’re all pretty much the same aren’t they? Well…no, not really.

I’ve spent the last 20 years swimming 2-3 times per week and I’ve lost count of the number of pairs of swimming trunks that I’ve got through. But over this time I’ve learned which are the best and which help you to swim better.

Here’s a short history of my swimming trunks:

1) Beach Wear. I started off swimming in long, baggy shorts that I’d wear on the beach. You know the type I’m sure – great for splashing about in the sea and for lounging about on the beach or in the garden on those fantastic summer days. But rubbish for swimming in!! It feels like you’re dragging a large weight along because the material holds in the water and they flap about as you swim. I soon found out that I’d need something better.

The best pair of trunks that I've found

2) Budget Trunks. I went out and bought the cheapest pair of trunks that I could find. I can’t remember the brand (or even if they were branded) – the only thing I can remember is buying a different pair about 2 weeks later because the chlorine in the water had already started to degrade the material. My advice is don’t buy cheap swimming trunks – it’s a false economy.

3) Endurance Trunks. I splashed out (no pun intended) on more expensive swimming trunks – specifically Speedo Endurance. My first pair withstood the test of time (and chlorine) and proved that by spending a bit more you get a whole lot more swimming for your money. They were comfortable too. Eventually they needed replacing and I opted for another pair of Speedo Endurance and they, again, lasted ages and proved great value for money. And I’ve stayed with these ever since. I’ve tried a number of different styles and lengths but they’ve all proved to be great swimming trunks. I currently use the longer “jammer” style and they’re my favourite pair of trunks so far – long lasting and very comfortable. I’m not sure they make me swim any faster (or slower) but then again I’m not a professional swimmer and don’t really need the go-faster suits that Olympic athletes wear.

So, the conclusion is not unexpected – pay more for a good quality pair of swimming trunks and it’ll prove a good investment in the long run. I can highly recommend the Speedo Endurance range.

Swim to keep fit – but how do you make the swim fit?

Many of us have tried the old January gym membership, only to find that come February, you’ve given up, but are still paying the hefty fees until you can drop out of the contract you signed up to. You’re losing pounds no doubt, but not exactly the kind you had imagined.

Finding something you can stick at that doesn’t cost the earth can be tricky, but swimming could be the answer you are looking for…

I started swimming approximately 10 years ago and at the time I could swim no more than a couple of lengths without stopping, and no more than about twelve lengths in total. I soon increased my distance to 30 lengths (approx 900 metres in my local pool), and even managed to persuade my husband to come along too. We opted for an early morning swim, in a local council run pool that was en-route to work – in the pool for 7.30am, out just after 8am, showered and in work by 8.30am. It took hardly any extra time than it would have done for me to shower and get ready at home, and of course I missed most of the rush hour traffic as the biggest part of my commute was done prior to this time.

That’s fine if you don’t have kids I hear you saying, well now I do, and I still manage to fit in a couple of swims a week. I swam until quite late on in pregnancy (it’s one of the best exercises you can do whilst pregnant), and took a break whilst off on maternity leave. It was hard at first, getting back into it, but now I’m back in the routine and its part of my schedule again. I now swim twice a week, on the days when my husband can take the kids to school, and I’m still improving my time, averaging now at about 18 mins for 900m, which I think is quite a pace for someone just about to hit 40! Hubby still goes too on the days that I don’t, and is trying to catch me up on time. He hasn’t managed yet, but will no doubt succeed at some point and until then I’ll just enjoy the fact that I’m a few minutes ahead of him. The competition makes us both work harder, but even without that, you can set your own goals, either in your mind or against other people in the pool.

I get home from work knowing I’ve done my bit of exercise on those days, and a few walks with the dog tops this up to a respectable exercise quota for the week - probably a lot more than most people out there manage to fit in.

Swim Your Way to a Fitter Lifestyle

I wish I could swim that well...

When I was growing up (many years ago) I was told that swimming is the best form of exercise that you can get because you use pretty much every muscle that you have. Now, I can't remember who said this to me and I don't have the medical background to prove this but it's something that I've always believed. I guess it's common sense - as you move through the water you need to use your arms, legs, core muscles, back muscles, neck...you get the picture. As exercise goes, it works for me and for the many people who swim to stay in shape. So, as an enthusiastic, amateur swimmer how can I convince you to swim your way to a fitter lifestyle? Here are 5 reasons why you should go swimming.

1. You feel like you've achieved something. There's no doubt that when I've been for a morning swim I feel good for the rest of the day. It's the feeling of having exercised that stays with you and makes you feel good about yourself.
2. It's non-weight bearing. Running, walking and cycling to a lesser extent are all weight bearing forms of exercise that put strain on your joints. Swimming is a non-weight bearing activity and so your joints don't suffer in the same way. That's not to say that running, walking and cycling are bad for you - any form of exercise is better than none at all - but if you do have concerns about your ankles, knees and hips then maybe swimming would be a good option for you.
3. It's inexpensive. You don't need any equipment (other than swimwear to hide your modesty!!) and the cost of a swim is only a few pounds at a time. Less if you become a member of your local pool.
4. You can go at a pace that suits you. You're not in competition with anyone and it's not like the gym where things can get a bit competitive. You'll be in a pool with likeminded people who generally just want to go at their own pace and swim to their own capability. So, if you're concerned that you'll look out of place then my advice is don't be - get down to your local pool and give it a go. If you can only swim a short distance (maybe half a length) then that's OK - if you continue to practice you'll be suprised at just how quickly you improve and how much your confidence will increase.
5. It can fit into your daily routine. Most swimming pools are open throughout the day, starting early in the morning to late into the evening. Therefore, it's relatively easy to fit a swim into your routine - whether it's first thing in the morning; after you've taken the kids to school; your lunch time; or sometime later in the day you should be able to find time for a quick swim (remember you don't have to swim for hours - 20 minutes at a time is OK).

There are lot's of other convincing arguments for swimming as a way of keeping in shape but the ones listed above seem to be relevant to most people that I know. The thing is, if you recognise that you need to get fitter then you'll probably try a number of different activities until you find something that suits you - I guess that the main thing that I want to say is that don't discount swimming and don't let any bad childhood experiences of swimming (we've all had them) put you off. Give swimming a go and, like me and everyone else involved with this blog, you might be hooked for life.