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I have been getting back into swimming shape the past few weeks, but have been swimming in my board shorts. I have not been on a swim team in years, and am wondering what kind of suit you guys recommend? Also, How long do Speedo suits last?---James Carson, Dallas TX
Response from
Braden K., Swim coach, Site founder--
The two most common style of practice suits are “jammers” (tight suits down to your knees) or “racers” (standard Speedo style). In training, neither has an advantage or disadvantage, except for your personal preferences of modesty. While the jammer has become more popular with the younger generation, most serious swimmers prefer the racer style.
Practice suits, if taken care of, can last for about 2-3 months of swimming 4 or 5 days a week. The less frequently you use them, as one would expect, the longer they’ll last.
Tips for increasing the life of your suit:
- Make sure your suit fits properly. Loose suits allow a lot of water into them, and this water stretches and thins the material. Tight suits in many instances are actually more discrete than looser suits, especially in the jammer. There is less loose material to…conform to the body.
- After each workout, rinse your suit out with cold water, gently squeeze out the excess water, and lay it on a flat surface to dry. This will help get the damaging chlorine out of the fabric. Do not hang your suit to dry! This can cause unnecessary stretching.
- Never machine wash or dry your suit! This can result in snagging, tearing, or stretching. If you must wash your suit, use a very mild detergent and hand wash it in cold water. Follow drying instructions above.
You can also consider purchasing a square-leg drag suit to cover your practice suit. They are much more modest, for those who are concerned about those things, and allow you to wear your suit longer than you would otherwise be able to. SwimOutlet.com Square Leg Suits
