Help me buy some basic equipment?

[[email protected]]

I'm 47 and never been a great swimmer but like doing it
cause it makes me feel so limber

having said that I wish to purchase a set of goggles
and a swimmer snorkel (center mount) for use in the
pool outdoors.

Should I get goggles that only cover my eye socket?
Or some that cover my nose as well as eye sockets?

And the reason I want the swimmer snorkel is that my
breathing tech is not proper yet. With the snorkel I
could keep my head.face down in the water ad at least
swim laps and get upper body workout

And....would buying some shorty training fins be a good
idea?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Tom Henderson]

[email protected] wrote in news:[email protected]:

> Should I get goggles that only cover my eye socket?
> Or some that cover my nose as well as eye sockets?

You mention wanting to learn proper breathing below. I feel anything that
covers your nose will interfere with this.

> And the reason I want the swimmer snorkel is that my
> breathing tech is not proper yet. With the snorkel I
> could keep my head.face down in the water ad at least
> swim laps and get upper body workout

Unless you have a neck injury that makes it imposible to breath without
one, I'd really recommend going without the snorkel. It sounds like
you're just getting started, which usually means you're just beginning to
learn proper body position and rotation. The snorkel will only serve to
reinforce bad habits at a time when you should be learning to rid
yourself of them.

Hope that helps!

Tom

 

[Tom Henderson]

[email protected] wrote in news:[email protected]:

> Should I get goggles that only cover my eye socket?
> Or some that cover my nose as well as eye sockets?

You mention wanting to learn proper breathing below. I feel anything that
covers your nose will interfere with this.

> And the reason I want the swimmer snorkel is that my
> breathing tech is not proper yet. With the snorkel I
> could keep my head.face down in the water ad at least
> swim laps and get upper body workout

Unless you have a neck injury that makes it imposible to breath without
one, I'd really recommend going without the snorkel. It sounds like
you're just getting started, which usually means you're just beginning to
learn proper body position and rotation. The snorkel will only serve to
reinforce bad habits at a time when you should be learning to rid
yourself of them.

Hope that helps!

Tom

 

[Tom Henderson]

[email protected] wrote in news:[email protected]:

> Should I get goggles that only cover my eye socket?
> Or some that cover my nose as well as eye sockets?

You mention wanting to learn proper breathing below. I feel anything that
covers your nose will interfere with this.

> And the reason I want the swimmer snorkel is that my
> breathing tech is not proper yet. With the snorkel I
> could keep my head.face down in the water ad at least
> swim laps and get upper body workout

Unless you have a neck injury that makes it imposible to breath without
one, I'd really recommend going without the snorkel. It sounds like
you're just getting started, which usually means you're just beginning to
learn proper body position and rotation. The snorkel will only serve to
reinforce bad habits at a time when you should be learning to rid
yourself of them.

Hope that helps!

Tom

 

[Rookie]

>
> And....would buying some shorty training fins be a good
> idea?
>
> Thanks in advance!

Agree with Tom's comments re goggles and snorkel. Re fins - they can
be great for helping you to learn good technique, but you will need a
good book or coach to teach you some drills to get the most out of
them. Just swimming up and down for fitness with or without the fins
on isn't going to help you get much better technique-wise, and in fact
having the fins on will probably make things worse as the extra
propulsion they give you will hide a multitude of sins.

 

[Rookie]

>
> And....would buying some shorty training fins be a good
> idea?
>
> Thanks in advance!

Agree with Tom's comments re goggles and snorkel. Re fins - they can
be great for helping you to learn good technique, but you will need a
good book or coach to teach you some drills to get the most out of
them. Just swimming up and down for fitness with or without the fins
on isn't going to help you get much better technique-wise, and in fact
having the fins on will probably make things worse as the extra
propulsion they give you will hide a multitude of sins.

 

[Rookie]

>
> And....would buying some shorty training fins be a good
> idea?
>
> Thanks in advance!

Agree with Tom's comments re goggles and snorkel. Re fins - they can
be great for helping you to learn good technique, but you will need a
good book or coach to teach you some drills to get the most out of
them. Just swimming up and down for fitness with or without the fins
on isn't going to help you get much better technique-wise, and in fact
having the fins on will probably make things worse as the extra
propulsion they give you will hide a multitude of sins.

 

[Rookie]

>
> And....would buying some shorty training fins be a good
> idea?
>
> Thanks in advance!

Agree with Tom's comments re goggles and snorkel. Re fins - they can
be great for helping you to learn good technique, but you will need a
good book or coach to teach you some drills to get the most out of
them. Just swimming up and down for fitness with or without the fins
on isn't going to help you get much better technique-wise, and in fact
having the fins on will probably make things worse as the extra
propulsion they give you will hide a multitude of sins.

 

[mainewriter]

I'm a rookie, too. I've taken a few lessons with a Total Immersion swim
coach and would highly recommend doing that if you have a coach near
you (see www.totalimmersion.net for a list). I've learned how to
breathe properly, how important the movement of the torso is to an
efficient stroke, how to keep my hands loose and "catch" the
water...it's all good stuff. Even with just one lesson, you'll come
away with lots to practice to improve your stroke.

Anna Marie

P.S. I'm curious-- what swim goggles do folks here like best? I have a
Lane 4 that is ok, but am thinking of getting another pair (for more
comfortable fit/leak protection). Suggestions?

Tom Henderson wrote:
> [email protected] wrote in news:[email protected]:
>
> > Should I get goggles that only cover my eye socket?
> > Or some that cover my nose as well as eye sockets?
>
> You mention wanting to learn proper breathing below. I feel anything that
> covers your nose will interfere with this.
>
> > And the reason I want the swimmer snorkel is that my
> > breathing tech is not proper yet. With the snorkel I
> > could keep my head.face down in the water ad at least
> > swim laps and get upper body workout
>
> Unless you have a neck injury that makes it imposible to breath without
> one, I'd really recommend going without the snorkel. It sounds like
> you're just getting started, which usually means you're just beginning to
> learn proper body position and rotation. The snorkel will only serve to
> reinforce bad habits at a time when you should be learning to rid
> yourself of them.
>
> Hope that helps!
>
> Tom

 

[mainewriter]

I'm a rookie, too. I've taken a few lessons with a Total Immersion swim
coach and would highly recommend doing that if you have a coach near
you (see www.totalimmersion.net for a list). I've learned how to
breathe properly, how important the movement of the torso is to an
efficient stroke, how to keep my hands loose and "catch" the
water...it's all good stuff. Even with just one lesson, you'll come
away with lots to practice to improve your stroke.

Anna Marie

P.S. I'm curious-- what swim goggles do folks here like best? I have a
Lane 4 that is ok, but am thinking of getting another pair (for more
comfortable fit/leak protection). Suggestions?

Tom Henderson wrote:
> [email protected] wrote in news:[email protected]:
>
> > Should I get goggles that only cover my eye socket?
> > Or some that cover my nose as well as eye sockets?
>
> You mention wanting to learn proper breathing below. I feel anything that
> covers your nose will interfere with this.
>
> > And the reason I want the swimmer snorkel is that my
> > breathing tech is not proper yet. With the snorkel I
> > could keep my head.face down in the water ad at least
> > swim laps and get upper body workout
>
> Unless you have a neck injury that makes it imposible to breath without
> one, I'd really recommend going without the snorkel. It sounds like
> you're just getting started, which usually means you're just beginning to
> learn proper body position and rotation. The snorkel will only serve to
> reinforce bad habits at a time when you should be learning to rid
> yourself of them.
>
> Hope that helps!
>
> Tom

 

[mainewriter]

I'm a rookie, too. I've taken a few lessons with a Total Immersion swim
coach and would highly recommend doing that if you have a coach near
you (see www.totalimmersion.net for a list). I've learned how to
breathe properly, how important the movement of the torso is to an
efficient stroke, how to keep my hands loose and "catch" the
water...it's all good stuff. Even with just one lesson, you'll come
away with lots to practice to improve your stroke.

Anna Marie

P.S. I'm curious-- what swim goggles do folks here like best? I have a
Lane 4 that is ok, but am thinking of getting another pair (for more
comfortable fit/leak protection). Suggestions?

Tom Henderson wrote:
> [email protected] wrote in news:[email protected]:
>
> > Should I get goggles that only cover my eye socket?
> > Or some that cover my nose as well as eye sockets?
>
> You mention wanting to learn proper breathing below. I feel anything that
> covers your nose will interfere with this.
>
> > And the reason I want the swimmer snorkel is that my
> > breathing tech is not proper yet. With the snorkel I
> > could keep my head.face down in the water ad at least
> > swim laps and get upper body workout
>
> Unless you have a neck injury that makes it imposible to breath without
> one, I'd really recommend going without the snorkel. It sounds like
> you're just getting started, which usually means you're just beginning to
> learn proper body position and rotation. The snorkel will only serve to
> reinforce bad habits at a time when you should be learning to rid
> yourself of them.
>
> Hope that helps!
>
> Tom

 

[mainewriter]

I'm a rookie, too. I've taken a few lessons with a Total Immersion swim
coach and would highly recommend doing that if you have a coach near
you (see www.totalimmersion.net for a list). I've learned how to
breathe properly, how important the movement of the torso is to an
efficient stroke, how to keep my hands loose and "catch" the
water...it's all good stuff. Even with just one lesson, you'll come
away with lots to practice to improve your stroke.

Anna Marie

P.S. I'm curious-- what swim goggles do folks here like best? I have a
Lane 4 that is ok, but am thinking of getting another pair (for more
comfortable fit/leak protection). Suggestions?

Tom Henderson wrote:
> [email protected] wrote in news:[email protected]:
>
> > Should I get goggles that only cover my eye socket?
> > Or some that cover my nose as well as eye sockets?
>
> You mention wanting to learn proper breathing below. I feel anything that
> covers your nose will interfere with this.
>
> > And the reason I want the swimmer snorkel is that my
> > breathing tech is not proper yet. With the snorkel I
> > could keep my head.face down in the water ad at least
> > swim laps and get upper body workout
>
> Unless you have a neck injury that makes it imposible to breath without
> one, I'd really recommend going without the snorkel. It sounds like
> you're just getting started, which usually means you're just beginning to
> learn proper body position and rotation. The snorkel will only serve to
> reinforce bad habits at a time when you should be learning to rid
> yourself of them.
>
> Hope that helps!
>
> Tom

 

[[email protected]]

>Just swimming up and down for fitness with or without the fins
>on isn't going to help you get much better technique-wise, and in fact
>having the fins on will probably make things worse as the extra
>propulsion they give you will hide a multitude of sins.

OK

what abt forgetting the fins and using some pull buoys
and a mask and snorkel?

I'm gonna get a snorkel anyway as I want one. But I
appreciate you advice on not using it.

What abt the goggles? Get ones that cover eye sockets
only? Such as Seal mask?

see link

http://tinyurl.com/e24gu

 

[[email protected]]

>Just swimming up and down for fitness with or without the fins
>on isn't going to help you get much better technique-wise, and in fact
>having the fins on will probably make things worse as the extra
>propulsion they give you will hide a multitude of sins.

OK

what abt forgetting the fins and using some pull buoys
and a mask and snorkel?

I'm gonna get a snorkel anyway as I want one. But I
appreciate you advice on not using it.

What abt the goggles? Get ones that cover eye sockets
only? Such as Seal mask?

see link

http://tinyurl.com/e24gu

 

[[email protected]]

>Just swimming up and down for fitness with or without the fins
>on isn't going to help you get much better technique-wise, and in fact
>having the fins on will probably make things worse as the extra
>propulsion they give you will hide a multitude of sins.

OK

what abt forgetting the fins and using some pull buoys
and a mask and snorkel?

I'm gonna get a snorkel anyway as I want one. But I
appreciate you advice on not using it.

What abt the goggles? Get ones that cover eye sockets
only? Such as Seal mask?

see link

http://tinyurl.com/e24gu

 

[[email protected]]

>Just swimming up and down for fitness with or without the fins
>on isn't going to help you get much better technique-wise, and in fact
>having the fins on will probably make things worse as the extra
>propulsion they give you will hide a multitude of sins.

OK

what abt forgetting the fins and using some pull buoys
and a mask and snorkel?

I'm gonna get a snorkel anyway as I want one. But I
appreciate you advice on not using it.

What abt the goggles? Get ones that cover eye sockets
only? Such as Seal mask?

see link

http://tinyurl.com/e24gu

 

[Tom Henderson]

"mainewriter" <[email protected]> wrote in news:1122384905.658361.148270
@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

> P.S. I'm curious-- what swim goggles do folks here like best? I have a
> Lane 4 that is ok, but am thinking of getting another pair (for more
> comfortable fit/leak protection). Suggestions?
>

It's hard to find a consensus. Different goggles work for different
faces. We have a local swim shop that will open every box in the stor to
allow you to try on different goggles. Then, if it turn out they feel
different in the pool than on land, they still let you exchange them. If
you can find a place that allows you to try a variety of goggles for fit,
tkae advatage of it. Try as many different styles as it takes to find
something comfortable that seals well.

Tom

 

[mainewriter]

Tom, thanks for the suggestion. I've checked out all the sports/tri
stores in my area and they didn't have much of a selection (one or two
kinds). I bought my Lane 4s at the tri shop. That's why I asked the
question: I'm thinking of trying the web. My Total Immersion instructor
had a pair called Aqua something...Aqua Sphere maybe? Anyway, they had
a different seal than my Lane 4's. I didn't try them (wish I had now)
but I couldn't find her style on the web... oh well. Mine aren't
horrible; they just leak a little unless I tighten the strap a bit more
than is comfortable.

Anna Marie


Tom Henderson wrote:
> "mainewriter" <[email protected]> wrote in news:1122384905.658361.148270
> @g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
>
> > P.S. I'm curious-- what swim goggles do folks here like best? I have a
> > Lane 4 that is ok, but am thinking of getting another pair (for more
> > comfortable fit/leak protection). Suggestions?
> >
>
> It's hard to find a consensus. Different goggles work for different
> faces. We have a local swim shop that will open every box in the stor to
> allow you to try on different goggles. Then, if it turn out they feel
> different in the pool than on land, they still let you exchange them. If
> you can find a place that allows you to try a variety of goggles for fit,
> tkae advatage of it. Try as many different styles as it takes to find
> something comfortable that seals well.
>
> Tom

 

[[email protected]]

> Total Immersion instructor
>had a pair called Aqua something...Aqua Sphere maybe?

was this what he had?

http://tinyurl.com/e24gu

 

[Tamyka Bell]

mainewriter wrote:
>
> Tom, thanks for the suggestion. I've checked out all the sports/tri
> stores in my area and they didn't have much of a selection (one or two
> kinds). I bought my Lane 4s at the tri shop. That's why I asked the
> question: I'm thinking of trying the web. My Total Immersion instructor
> had a pair called Aqua something...Aqua Sphere maybe? Anyway, they had
> a different seal than my Lane 4's. I didn't try them (wish I had now)
> but I couldn't find her style on the web... oh well. Mine aren't
> horrible; they just leak a little unless I tighten the strap a bit more
> than is comfortable.
>
> Anna Marie

To test a seal on goggles before buying them, just press them to your
face without using the strap. Press them hard and let go. If they fall
off straight away, they won't work for you in the water. If they take a
few seconds for the air to suck in before they fall off, they'll
probably seal well in the water.

Tam