Swimming Gear for Men

Swimming for fun, fitness or amateur competition requires little in the way of gear to get started. A proper swimsuit designed to reduce drag in the water and goggles to protect your eyes and improve your sight underwater is really the extent of it. However, once your swim program is established, you may want to consider additional gear to your swim bag that although not essential, can add enjoyment to your swim workouts.

Swim Suit

The most common swimsuit used by male swimmers is the jammer, which covers from the waist to just above the knee. These are most typical for modest swimmers. Square leg suits are not as common, covering from the waist to mid-thigh. The brief, more common in Europe and South America, is available for those wanting as little fabric as possible. All three designs are tight fitting, like a second skin, to reduce friction and drag as the swimmer moves through the water. Although various fabrics are used, the most common are Lycra, nylon or a blend of each.

Swim Paddles

Swim paddles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each designed to help improve various weaknesses. Swimmers use paddles to improving strength, technique, speed or create a fun diversion from long, often boring swim sets. Many swim coaches recommend using paddles that are slightly larger than the size of your hand. Larger paddles create more resistance than smaller ones, placing a lot of pressure on your shoulders as you move them through the water, often causing injury if used improperly or for too long a distance.

Swim Cap

A swim cap has multiple roles --- it protects hair from damaging pool chemicals, and keeps dirt and other debris from the scalp. In addition, the swim cap reduces the drag caused by hair, and keeps the swimmer from getting cold by reducing the body heat that otherwise would escape through the scalp. A brightly colored swim cap also allows lifeguards, boaters and other swimmers to spot you if swimming in open water, such as a lake or ocean.

Swim Fins

Swim fins can be valuable to lap or fitness swimmers if used sparingly and correctly. As with most training aids, swim fins can become a crutch if used for too long, too often. Many lap swimmers use fins to help keep pace with faster swimmers, or keep their legs riding high in the water, reducing drag. Fins can increase the workload on leg muscles, and help build a strong, efficient flutter kick used in the freestyle, or backstroke. Many swimmer use fins to add an element of fun, and variety to their workout.

Swim Goggles

Swim goggles are essential for swimming, protecting your eyes from the strong chemicals used in pools, such as chlorine, as well as dirt and debris. In addition, goggles allow you to see underwater for navigational purposes, especially if swimming in an open water environment, such as the ocean. Swim goggles can be inexpensive, low technology pieces of plastic with a bungee strap to hold them in place, or comfortable, low profile, hydrodynamic designs that reduce drag. Goggles with corrective lenses are available for swimmers with vision issues.