Technique Building Tools
At SwimLabs, we use a number of tools to help our clients better understand how swimming technique works. By using these tools, our clients are able to isolate and practice specific elements of technique, leading to better and faster overall understanding of how they should move in the water. Every tool we use during swimming analysis is available for sale at SwimLabs.
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The Aqua Pulse
The Aqua Pulse
The newest tool that we are using at SwimLabs, the Aqua Pulse is a state of the art Heart Rate Monitor designed specifically for swimmers. Its water proof design changes both how the heart rate is sensed and how the heart rate is transmitted to the user. All functions are integrated into one small unit that the user clips on to their goggle strap and rests on their temple.
The Aqua Pulse uses an accurate infrared sensor that clips to the earlobe in order to pick up the swimmer’s heart rate. By measuring the light pulses due to capillary blood flow in the skin, the sensors calculate the number of Beats Per Minute (BPM) that the body is working. The internal computer then audibly communicates this heart rate to the user using the revolutionary Bone-Conduction Technology. Humans normally hear through air conduction, but because there is no air underneath the water, bone conduction provides the clearest sound quality possible. In utilizing bone-conduction, the sound vibrations are communicated through the temple bone to the inner ear where sound is transferred. By simply turning the unit on, the user’s heart rate can be sensed and automatically communicated during the swim.
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SwimP3
SwiMp3
Ok, you got us: The SwiMP3 isn’t exactly a Technique Building Tool, but it is a great way to add a little bit of variety to your swim! TheSwiMP3 is a waterproof mp3 player created with a unique innovative sound transfer technology that offers exceptional underwater sound clarity. The completely redesigned waterproof MP3 player utilizes bone-conduction technology to transmit high-fidelity sound underneath the water.
Standard players rely on the transmission of sound through air or water which causes the swimmer to perceive only muffled noise. Because the SwiMP3 uses bone conduction, the sound vibrations are able to be directly transferred from the cheek bone to the inner ear, giving the swimmer the ultimate sensory experience.
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Alignment Board
The Alignment Board
The Alignment Kickboard is a tool that that we use at SwimLabs to help teach and maintain body alignment & balance for swimmers of all abilities. The stabilizing hand strap allows users to place their hands on top of the board, creating ideal body alignment. The small sized foam board floats a few inches below the water surface, allowing the user to maintain body alignment by staying flat in the water. The sleek hydrodynamic design is safe on the shoulders and is great for a number of drills that we use at SwimLabs.
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Alpha Fins
Alpha Fins
Alpha fins are made out of a lightweight, pliable rubber, and are a great tool for helping swimmers maintain an optimal body position and alignment. Their unique channeled construction and natural buoyancy help the swimmer to maintain a neutral body position while kicking.
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Bolster Paddles
Bolster Paddles
We use the Bolster Paddle to help swimmers put their wrist and elbow in the correct swimming position for all four competitive strokes. The unique paddle locks the wrist and forces the swimmer to use their hand and their forearm while swimming. This helps swimmers better understand the role the forearm plays while stroking.
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Paddles
Hand Paddles
At SwimLabs, we use Paddles to for a number of drills in each of the four strokes. Paddles are a great way to help swimmers focus on their hand position while stroking. They are also a great tool to help swimmers focus on “feeling” how they push the water when they are swimming.
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Forearm Fulcrums
Forearm Fulcrums
The Forearm Fulcrum improves the efficiency of a swimmer’s stroke by holding the wrist, elbow and shoulder in line. The unique design of this device forces the swimmer to focus on keeping their wrist straight as they swim.While training with the device the swimmer will instantly begin learning the correct ‘muscle memory’ for each stroke.
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Pull Buoy
Pull Buoy
We use Pull Buoy’s to help our swimmers develop proper balance and alignment in the Swimming Pool. It is also a useful tool for isolating the Upper body while swimming, without sacrificing Body Position.
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Swimmers Snorkel
The Swimmers Snorkel
SwimLabs owner Michael Michael Mann used his Swimmers Snorkel extensively as he trained to break 11 World Records in 2009. “Breathing can be very disruptive in Freestyle. Using a Snorkel takes Breathing out of the equation completely, allowing you to focus on each individual phase of your stroke. It’s also a great tool for building breath control and lung capacity”.
At its most basic level, the Swimmer’s Snorkel allows athletes of any ability to swim at normal and much slower speeds with perfect stability and a full range of motion. These skills are the most critical aspect for novice level swimmers to master and for advanced swimmers to perfect.
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Tech Toc
Tech Toc
The Tech Toc is a great tool for working on hip rotation. It is fully adjustable, and can be used for each of the four competitive strokes. It utilizes a ball bearing inside of a plastic capsule containing acoustical amplifiers at each end. As the swimmer rotates their hips while training, the ball hits each end of the capsule, providing the swimmer audible feedback on their hip rotation and movement. The device allows swimmers to hear, as well as feel the rhythm and pace of their stroke pattern and technique. The Tech Toc can be used by any age group for any swim distance or stroke.
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Zoomers Fins
Zoomer Fins
Zoomers are a unique short-fin technology that we use at SwimLabs to promote a shorter, faster kick. Because of their small size, swimmers are forced to focus their attention on using short, fast kicks, which promotes good body position in the water.
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Tempo Trainer
We use the Tempo Trainer acts as a personal pacing tool to help our swimmers understand how to pace their stroke . The small waterproof unit attaches to a swimmer’s goggle or cap and transmits an audible beep. This audible cue can be adjusted to help develop consistency of stroke rate and stroke cycle as well as to identify and distinguish between optimal training and race paces.
