PRO-LEVEL TECHNOLOGY NOW ACCESSIBLE TO ALL SWIMMERS.
Stripped down to the essentials, Arena’s Powerskin Impulso focuses solely on what matters: it’s crafted from high-quality Italian woven fabric, born in the same fabric mill as Primo, offering moderate compression to athletes of all levels.
At all competition swimming pools, you will notice the coloured flags strung across the pool. They look pretty cool, right? But they actually have a good reason for being there. To make sure backstrokers don’t have a painful encounter with the wall!
Are you prone to pre-race jitters? The nervousness experienced by swimmers before a race often plays a significant role in determining the outcome. Although feeling nervous is a natural response, it is crucial to learn how to harness and control these emotions to your benefit. To assist you in calming your nerves before a race, here are a few helpful tips.
It's crucial for competitive swimmers to prioritize rest and recovery for optimal performance, both physically and mentally. The rigorous training and stress on the muscles can really wear down the body, so without adequate rest, a swimmer's performance may decline. Here are a few key reasons why rest and recovery are vital.
Reduced Risk of Injury - Contrast training can put stress on your muscles and joints, leading to injuries like muscle strains and tendonitis. But, by making sure you give your body ample rest and recovery time, you can greatly reduce the risk of these injuries. This gives your body the opportunity to repair and heal itself effectively, keeping you safe and free from harm.
Boosts Performance - It's important to give your body the time it needs to recover after tough workouts or competitions. Giving your body the chance to heal properly will increase muscle strength and boost your performance in your next swim.
Helps Your Mental Well-being - Competitive swimming is tough on the body and mind. Making sure to get enough rest can lower stress levels, reduce anxiety, and boost a swimmer's mental health.
You can learn more on:
How swimming reduces anxiety and stress
How swimming can improve mental health
Improves Sleep - Sleep is a crucial time for the body to recover and repair, helping swimmers to sleep better and wake up feeling more energised and ready to improve their performance.
Increases Energy Levels - If you push your body without rest, it can also lead to fatigue and burnout. Making time to recover and rest can help increase your energy levels which will improve performance as your muscles won’t feel as tired.
Rest and recovery may not be as exciting as training and competitions, but it’s just as important for a swimmer's overall performance and well-being.
Being on a swim team goes beyond just swimming - it brings a ton of advantages that reach far beyond the water. No matter your skill level, being part of a swim team can really boost different parts of your life. Check out why you should consider joining one!
A streamlined position in the water is essential for minimizing resistance and sustaining velocity in the swimming pool. Whether it is propelling off the wall or plunging into the pool, a flawless streamline enables you to attain higher speeds and preserve energy.
Introducing the new Arena Powerskin Primo, the world's first tensoelastic racing suit!
As championship season approaches, swimmers are getting ready for their major meets. After dedicating early mornings and tackling tough main sets for months, it's time to see the results of your efforts. Wondering how to get ready for a swim meet? Check out these tips!
Faster is always possible!
The world’s fastest suit got even better with space-grade technology. Engineered from Lamoral Space Tech, the new Speedo Fastskin LZR Intent and Valor 2.0 provide long-lasting water repellency for the ultimate glide.
Developed for racing, Speedo's innovative Fastskin system provides swimmers with the best choice of racing gear that looks fast, feels fast and allows for maximum speed and performance in the water.
Arena, for its 50th birthday, asked 10 of its most representative athletes to tell which creature best represented them and why. What is the primordial instinct that guides them in their choices, from training to the starting block?
For each athlete, the perfect swimsuit has been chosen. The Carbon Glide, Cardon Core FX, and Powerskin Carbon Air² are the three selected racing models of the collection.
The next generation has never been greater! Arena have released the first ever FINA-approved race suit made with recycled fabric.
Arena ST NEXT is made from ECONYL®, a high-quality 100% regenerated nylon yarn manufactured using pre- and post-consumer waste, such as fishing nets and other nylon waste.
By supporting Healthy Seas, arena contributes to the recovery of discarded fishing nets from the sea which, together with other nylon waste such as carpet flooring and industrial plastic, are transformed (the ones suitable for recycling) by Aquafil into ECONYL® yarn.
60% of the yarns in the fabric composition were sourced from pre and post-consumer waster that would otherwise end up in a landfill! Along with the improved fabric construction that makes the ST NEXT 20% lighter, the reinforced shoulder straps and enhanced fabric elasticity ensure that the ST next is both comfortable and compressive.
High Performance For All
Enhanced core support, body lift, and stability help swimmers maintain optimum form in the water. From beginners to world class champions, the POWERSKIN ST NEXT performs powerfully for athletes of every level at an incredible value.
Superior Support and Compression
Additional lining brings technical improvements to the ST range. Incorporated in to the top front of both the open back and jammer and extending down the back of the leg, the new lining provides greater muscle compression in targeted areas.
Reinforced Shoulder Strap
The ST NEXT’s shoulder structure features a new design with extra reinforcement in the center strap. Bolstered by the shell fabric and durable lining, the shoulder strap provides greater support in the shoulders and upper back, enhances the overall fit and feel of the suit, and adds an extra level of durability.
Easy On and Off
The upgraded fabric of ST NEXT has improved elasticity, which makes it easier and quicker to get on and off than other racing suits, while still providing good, targeted compression.
The New Arena ST NEXT are now available at ProSwimwear! You can browse our collection here.
Amplify your confidence in the HydroX™ - the newest and most advanced competitive swimsuits from FINIS.
Their team of experts has meticulously refined every aspect of this racing suit, beginning with the fabric and how it interacts with your muscles. Their exclusive MemoryFlex™ fabric is carefully designed to optimise your muscles' natural expansion and contraction, delivering consistent compression for peak performance. This innovative material is also smart, allowing it to return to its original shape throughout the entire stroke cycle, ultimately improving flexibility and compression.
With FINIS HydroX™, you're guaranteed to experience the best possible results.
Unfortunately, burnout happens to many swimmers. Here’s what you can do to help prevent burnout.
Championship season is exciting for all competitive swimmers, but it comes with a ton of preparation.This comes with buying a new tech suit. Worried about finding the right tech suit? Here are some facts to know when buying a tech suit.
What’s the importance of a tech suit? Why are they any better than a regular swimsuit? A tech suit is designed to reduce your drag in the water and help you efficiently move through the water. Tech suits are made from water-repellent fabric and don’t soak up all the water like a normal swimsuit does! They offer compression which is shown to be effective in improving circulation and can have an overall positive effect on recovery.
One thing you will notice with most tech suits and swim jammers is that they are very smooth. Almost seamless? Don’t worry, this is on purpose! By removing the seams through multiple stitching and designing the seams to direct the flow of the water, the suits become closer to being a second skin that allows you to move faster and more freely through the water. Fastskin suits are designed to give you a slight bump in performance.
When buying a Fastskin, size doesn’t matter. Are you a 24”? Tech race suits are going to be different sizes. They are designed to be tighter fit so you get all the benefits of the suit! Also, it is often that a swimmer’s body changes size as they grow, change and develop. You want a suit that fits you and that you feel ready to race in. Sizing is just a number! Measure to find your current sizes to compare to size charts to find the size that you need.
Try on a few styles before making a decision! Many female swimmers prefer the classic open back suit, but there are both closed back and powerback suits to be considered. Are closed back suits harder to bend, twist and move in? Not at all! Try on different styles to find the one that is best for you and that you feel the most comfortable in. It’s important to get a good feel of your options to find the best fit.
Remember, you’re the one wearing the tech suit. You are the one that has to race in it! So, make sure you feel confident in the tech suit you choose.
Tech suits are not cheap. They are an investment, especially in a swimmer’s training and success. You don’t wear tech suits to regular swim meets. Tech suits are made so you can invest in your goals and designed for the athletes at their most elite competitions. They are racing suits for when you are prepared to race!
Shopping for a new race suit is an exciting task, not something that should be daunting and scary. It means that your big competition is coming up and you are achieving your goals!
At ProSwimwear, we have a large range of performance suits to browse through. Check them out here: https://www.proswimwear.co.uk/fina-approved-swimwear.html
Still have questions? Contact us at ProSwimwear about any of the tech suits on our website and our customer service team will be ready and excited to help you get the perfect race suit for you.
The weather is getting warmer and those competitions are getting closer. The idea of your child swimming can sound more appealing during the nice weather as a way to keep them healthy. But, is your child looking to become a competitive swimmer? Here are a few things you should know before your child competes.
Don’t skip the basics! Your child should feel comfortable in the water and have a good level of confidence. Practise those four techniques used in competitive swimming: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Swim programs are perfect to help a child prepare for swimming at a next level, helping your child to perfect their technique.
The team you decide to go with should fit what you and your child want out of swimming. Having a good team with similar goals in mind will help build confidence in your child and allow them to have friends who are also going through the same struggles to support each other and push each other on to achieve their goals.
Having the right gear is important for any competitive race. Check with the coach or instructor to see what is required for your team members. Some essentials you will need are goggles and caps! Also make sure to have spares of everything, including their swimsuit in case any issues arise, such as a strap breaking.
Unlike other sports, swimming is a low-impact sport that helps prevent strain. Swimming is a sport that can be a lifelong activity for your child, even one that can be a launching point if they are interested in pursuing competitions and triathlons at younger ages. Although swimming is a team activity, your child will often be competing in individual events. Keep in mind that your child will put in a lot of practice before the competition!
Most importantly, your child’s safety should come first. Your child should be monitored in the water, even after a child learns to swim and improves their skill. It’s crucial to prevent drowning and other accidents happening by going to practices where you and the instructor can keep an eye on your child.
Is your child heading to their first swim meet and you’re not sure what to expect? Check out more information here: https://www.proswimwear.co.uk/blog/what-to-really-expect-at-your-childs-first-swim-meet-/
One rule all swimmers and coaches agree with on race day is keeping your routine and sticking to strategies that you know work and lead to your best performance. Have a series of checklists that will help set you up to achieve your peak performance. In this blog, we will go through the different ways to prepare for that big race.
Competitions push a swimmer to their limit, adding additional challenges. Swimmers often have to warm up multiple times during the day, once at the beginning of a session and again before each swim. Most warm-ups in the water consist of a moderate level of swimming, maybe try 400 to 800 metres! This can include stroke drills and even high intensity workouts that last around 50 seconds.
Here are a few things you can do to help prepare that little more:
As important warming up in the water is for a race, you should also incorporate dryland training into your warm-up, especially if the pool space at a competition is limited and no warm-up pool is available. Dryland training can improve a swimmer’s power, athleticism and speed for when they get back into the water.
Swimmers need a strong core to transfer force efficiently from one part of the body to another, to push off from the wall and essentially win the race. Good core strength enables the swimmer to accelerate faster and to carry more speed in a dive. Core training can help to improve your breathing flow in the water, improve posture and upper body strength. You can do many dryland workouts that help to improve core strength, such as using resistance bands or doing sit-ups. Dryland training has many benefits for a swimmer. Want to learn more on why dryland training is important to a swimmer? Read more here: https://www.proswimwear.co.uk/blog/why-you-should-begin-dryland-training-/
Although your physical ability and health is important for a race, being mentally prepared and ready for a race is also very important. Having a well-known routine that helps prepare your brain for the race is always a great way to have your mind focused and will help to increase your performance.
Having strong self-confidence is also important to being prepared for a race. When a swimmer is able to see future successes as part of their mental preparation, their confidence isn’t too far behind. Confidence is something you can train and sharpen and isn’t something you have to fake. Recognising what you have done well helps to boost your self-esteem and to appreciate how far you have come. Want to learn more on how swimming increases self-esteem and confidence? Read more here :https://www.proswimwear.co.uk/blog/how-swimming-increases-self-esteem/
Overall, preparing for your race on the day should be with workouts and routines you are familiar with. Have confidence in yourself and don’t tire your body during warm-ups! We wish you the best of luck with your next competition!
If you already love swimming, you don’t need to be reminded about the benefits of the sport. If you’re a keen swimmer and are looking to take your practice to the next level you may want to consider competitive swimming.
Whether you choose to train and compete in a club environment or continue solo is up to you. A club environment provides you with a community to interact with, get tips from and to build friendships within, while also giving you the structure to your training routines. A club can make a swim meet incredibly fun and exciting, spending a lot of time with your team and helping to support each other.
Another great benefit of competitive swimming is the versatility in training, where you can choose between breaststroke, butterfly, and other techniques. Will you focus on a sprint or endurance event?
You can also add training aids to help your sessions, such as kickboards or fins, that can test and push your technique, and challenge your ability to focus. Make sure to check out our range of training aids:
https://www.proswimwear.co.uk/swimming-accessories/swimming-training-aids.html
With a more dedicated schedule and more swim meets to attend, this means you will need competitive swimwear that is going to support you through your competitions. Investing in competitive swimwear will help to boost your performance, keeping you as streamlined as possible. The FINIS range of swimwear is designed to help swimmers by better improving their performance. Check out our FINA swimwear that we offer at ProSwimwear:
https://www.proswimwear.co.uk/fina-approved-swimwear.html?approval=284
Swimming can also help to boost your mood and focus, helping to improve mental health. Being a part of a club offers you support from like-minded swimmers. Swimming helps to decrease stress and anxiety, but in competitive swimming, you can increase your mental health from the benefits of this sport. Learn more about how swimming improves your mental health here:
https://www.proswimwear.co.uk/blog/how-swimming-can-improve-your-mental-health-/
It is important to train your mind, once you know that swimming has many health benefits and is a great exercise to keep you physically fit with a toned/lean body shape, competitive swimming does this and trains your mind too! Both your body and mind will be working at full capacity, it may help you focus on other areas of your life as well.
We wish you the best of luck at your first swimming competition! Your first medal is just around the corner!
The butterfly stroke is one of the most popular in the swimming world. It can be challenging to learn, and difficult to master, but the physical and mental benefits of improving in this stroke are worth it. You’ll feel your body start to become stronger and become more in sync with each day you practice.
Whether you’re a beginner recreational swimmer just learning how to swim butterfly or a competitive swimmer this race season looking for extra tips and pointers, this article will provide a few ideas to help you further achieve the excellent butterfly form.
Tips for improved butterfly form
Of all the swimming strokes, butterfly is one of the most challenging. It burns more calories during one hour of swimming than any other stroke. A butterfly swimmer who weighs 155 pounds (70kg) will burn 774 calories in an hour. That is 70 more than the same person would burn when swimming freestyle or breaststroke.
Not only does the stroke expend a lot of energy, but the form itself can be hard to master. Taking the time to train with the proper butterfly technique will help you improve the efficiency in your stroke, allowing you to maximise the energy you use while swimming. The following tips will help to improve critical areas of your stroke technique.
Body position
How you position your body in the water plays significant roles in efficiency and speed. With butterflies, you want to make sure your body is aligned. When you do this properly, each part of your body will be participating in the movement.
Butterfly will mean that you will be undulating when you move through the water. Undulation allows you to move through the water efficiently. This type of body motion is to propel yourself forwards in the water, similarly to the motion used during an underwater dolphin kick. It allows your upper body and legs to alternate to help in propelling yourself across the pool with more efficiency and faster speed.
Butterfly arms
As you take butterfly strokes, focus on the correct arm movement and how your hands enter the water. Extend your arms with your elbows slightly bent, and keep your hands somewhat further apart than the width of your shoulders when they enter the water.
Once your hands enter the water, pull, as if performing a freestyle stroke but using both hands simultaneously. Focus on pulling equally with both arms, using your forearms and hands to catch as much water as possible. Pull straight down at first and allow your hands to come slightly closer together as you continue to pull towards your hips.
In the arm recovery phase of the stroke, your hands should leave the water by your hips and stay close to the surface. Do not lift your arms too high out of the pool, this wastes energy.
Butterfly kick
Kicking provides a large amount of propulsion. Both legs perform a large, powerful kicking motion at the same time. Your legs must remain together, and keep your feet pointed directly out behind you.
For every stroke cycle, you will kick twice. The first kick you take provides enough forward motion so you can lift your arms out of the water during the recovery phase of your stroke cycle. The second kick happens before you begin your pull and adds additional drive to keep the forward momentum going.
Breathing
When focusing on breathing technique, you want to avoid lifting your head too high out of the water. Lifting your head too far out of the water can tilt your body and cause drag, slowing you down. Your head should come out of the water just enough for you to take a breath before returning to a neutral position.
Butterfly is a tiring technique, so you might need to breathe with every stroke if you are new to it. As your form improves, you might find you can take breaths less frequently than every stroke cycle. Breathing every other or every third stroke allows you to keep your head down longer and cut out drag, allowing your momentum to be significantly stronger as you move through the water.
Twelve butterfly drills to practice your skills
Now that you have the basic understanding of how to swim this challenging stroke with proper form, you can practice some of the swimming drills below to improve your skills. Remember to stay positive throughout your training, and as you continue to train you’ll see improvement.
Mimicking and practising the butterfly movement at the side of the pool, outside of the water, can help you to improve your technique. Lay on your stomach and bend your knees slightly to imitate the leg kick as your hands come forwards to enter the imaginary water. Kick again when your hands reach your sides. This drill can help visualise the mechanics of the stroke before you enter the water, assisting when applying it in the water.
Training fins make an excellent option for butterfly drills. Swim this stroke with short swim fins, taking one arm stroke for every 4 kicks. Focus on the form of your leg. The added resistance provided by the fins will allow more sensory response to the movement of your legs through the stroke, providing more focus on the movement.
For this drill, you will need a kickboard. Grab the kickboard firming and practice your kicking technique. Allow the kickboard to dive under the water in front of you and then come back to the surface as you complete your kicking cycle. This will help you master the movement of the stroke.
Place a pull buoy between your legs and swim butterfly using only your arms. This drill will help improve your arm strength and help you focus on the upper body mechanics of the butterfly technique. Try to pull equally with both your left and right arm during each stroke.
Swimming the butterfly with just one arm can help improve technique. Keep the arm that you are not using extended out in front of you or along your side. It is extremely important to remember to breathe forwards and not sideways when doing this drill.
Swim the butterfly whilst using a breaststroke kick for every arm stroke. Breath once to the right and once to the left. Attempt to keep your head underwater as much as possible. This should help you get more comfortable with your breathing technique.
Swim the butterfly using a freestyle leg kick, try to keep your shoulders above the water when performing this drill. Focus on your arm mechanics and practice a powerful pull-through and efficient recovery phase.
Your first stroke of your arms in the water should have a wide entry. In your second stroke, your hand should enter the water at half the width of the previous stroke. For the third, your hands should enter next to one another in front of your head. Repeat this variable entry cycle throughout to get used to the movement.
Swim the butterfly without the recovery part of the arm stroke. Make sure your arms are below the chest and try to go as deep as possible with your shoulders by thrusting your back powerfully downward.
Swim the butterfly with clenched fists to keep your arms and legs as coordinated as possible.
Swim this stroke by just making one leg kick for every complete arm cycle, inserting it at the end of the pull phase right before beginning the recovery phase around the water.
Once you feel more comfortable swimming the complete stroke with proper form, try timing yourself swimming 50 metres, 100 metres and 200 metres and a time. Keeping a log of your times is a great way to track improvement throughout practising the drills!
Essentially, the key to improving any swimming technique is to keep up with consistent practice, and to take your time to think about proper mechanics before you enter the water while you are swimming. Remember, practice makes perfect, and our swimming aids at Proswimwear also contribute towards that.
Check out our range of training aids here: https://www.proswimwear.co.uk/swimming-accessories/swimming-training-aids.html
Ah, it’s that time. The first swim meet. It’s easy to look back at the good old days, where expectations were low and we were just happy that the kids made it from one side of the pool to the other. Many new swim team parents enter the world of competitive swimming, with no point of reference of what to expect. What they’re expecting is often far different than their first swim team experience…
Find out all you need to know about the FINIS Tech Suits and their sizing with this FINIS reference guide!
Featuring the Fuse, Vapor Pro, Rival and Rival 2.0 suits, which will you choose?
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