The buoyancy properties are the most important argument for the use of a wetsuit for many swimmers. How big is this effect and how much lift do you need? The answers to these questions mainly depend on your individual position in the water.
Neoprene Advice: Buoyancy
your water position
The following picture is revealed in the water, not only for triathlon beginners: low-hanging legs, a lot of resistance area, high effort required for stabilization, relatively little propulsion. This effect is more pronounced in men in particular than in women due to the greater proportion of muscles in the legs. The dense muscle tissue of the thighs sinks water and uses a lot of oxygen at work. In addition, there are often deficiencies in technique, body tension or movement execution. Result: a "hanging" water position. As arm strength diminishes over time, position in the water and locomotion become even more difficult.
This is exactly where the effect of the neoprene suit comes into play: the material automatically lifts your legs to the surface of the water, the water position is stabilized horizontally and frontal resistance is significantly reduced. All of the power exerted by the arms can now be converted into propulsion much more efficiently. The special gliding properties of the wetsuit also promote this effect. Result: Overall, you can swim faster and longer distances with less effort. Depending on the level of performance, the time saved by wearing a wetsuit is considerable - on average around 8-10 seconds for a 100 meter swim.
Weaker swimmers sometimes even benefit a little more from the neoprene effect, but even advanced athletes with a good position in the water are faster in a wetsuit . The Neo helps to keep the position in the water and swimming efficiency at a consistently high level, especially on longer swims. This makes it clear that the use of a wetsuit is worthwhile, especially for weaker swimmers, even for short swimming distances, since the time lost by taking it off is usually no more than 20-30 seconds.
BUT: Not everyone needs maximum buoyancy! The required level of support from the Neo depends on the individual position in the water. Swimmers with a good position in the water perceive excessive buoyancy behavior as unnatural and obstructive, since they have the feeling that they can no longer get the pressure into the water properly. Therefore, the models vary in terms of material thickness and buoyancy behavior in order to do justice to the different types of swimmers.
What type of swimmer are you?
Hanging water position
Recommendation: Lots of buoyancy
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- suitable for: swimmers with weak water position (all swimming distances)
- high need for technical support by the Neo
- Advanced swimmers who need stabilization on longer swim distances
Stable water position
Recommendation: normal buoyancy
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- Suitable for: swimmers with a stable water position and swimming technique
- little technical support depending on need and length of the route
- all swim distances
Very good water location
Recommendation: Little buoyancy
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- suitable for: advanced swimmers with a very good position in the water
- as little or no technical support as possible
- all swim distances
Would you like personal advice? We're happy to help!
Telephone: +49 (0)89-95760842 or by email to: shop@triathlon.de
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