Swimming is one of the simplest sports, requiring few pieces of equipment. In competitive competition, however, the equipment requirements and preferences are ramped up, with swimmers opting for advanced suits, swim caps and goggles to reduce their resistance in the water and improve their times. Depending on the level of swimming and diving at which you participate, there are several pieces of equipment you may need.
Swimsuit
The swimsuit type can vary. For recreational wear, swimming trunks are popular among men, while one- or two-piece swimsuits are commonly worn by women. When swimming competitively, though, baggy swim trunks are seldom used: Men either wear skin-tight trunks or an aerodynamic swimsuit that covers either the legs or the entire body. These suits provide less resistance in the water than skin and can shave microseconds off of a race time. Most women who swim competitively wear one-piece or full-body wetsuits.
Goggles
You can open your eyes underwater without them, but goggles help to protect your eyes from the chlorine used to keep pools clean. This can be a big advantage when you spend so much time face down in the water. Goggles also provide a clearer view of the water, making it easier to see and determine where you are in your lane.
Swimming Caps
Swimming caps are usually made of rubber or another synthetic material. They help hold your hair inside the cap and out of your face, and they also reduce resistance in the water by providing a smooth, aerodynamic surface.
Swim Bag
Most swimmers like to have equipment bags to hold personal items. Because wet items are frequently carried around, mesh bags are a popular option for an equipment bag. These provide more aeration in the bag, allowing water to drip out of the clothes, slowing the development of molds and fungi.
Practice Suits
Some high-level athletes prefer to use swimming practice suits that differ from the suits in which they race. These suits are often thicker and heavier, providing durability and allowing them to last longer and reducing the wear and tear on racing suits. Some practice suits also have an increased resistance to water, making training more difficult and resulting in more rigorous workouts.
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