DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SWIMMING TIED OR SWIMMING FREE

 These days we are seeing many swimmers and triathletes training in their home pools. Most of them do it in small pools of 5 to 10 meters in length, or in pools that they have adapted to be able to train.

They use a system that allows swimming without displacement , that is, swimming remaining static in the same point, so there is the possibility of swimming in a fairly small space. Making a comparison would be like running on a treadmill, or a stationary bike or roller for cycling.

This system consists of a rubber band and a belt. Its installation is simple, the rubber is tied at one end to a fixed point at the end of the pool, for example, the ladder, a tree... and at the other end it is attached to a belt that the swimmer places on the waist. There are other systems that instead of being tied at the waist have 2 rubber bands, one tied to each ankle. There are different types of hardness for the rubbers depending on the resistance that the swimmer needs.

One of the manufacturers of this type of material is the company Static Swim.

It is obvious that at a time like the present, having a pool at home and being able to swim, even when tied, is a great advantage, but what are the differences between swimming tied in a 5m pool and swimming in a 25m pool? 50m or in the sea  with lifeguard course near me

TRAINING:

• The first sensations when swimming tied are usually a bit strange, some people feel that, instead of being static, they move backwards. 

• This is due to the fact that if you swim too fast and move forward a little, the rebound effect of the rubber makes you return to the starting point a little further back. Fully adapting to it can take about 15 or 20 days.

• The advantage is that it is possible to train without interrupting your swim for an indefinite time of 20, 30, 60 minutes or even more. You can also do sets with changes of pace and active breaks to recover, making it very useful for resistance training .
• Using rubbers of different hardness it is also possible to train speed , trying to advance overcoming the resistance of the rubber. This is a tough workout with which you can get very good results.
• It is important to keep in mind that the series must be tied by time or by number of strokes instead of by meters, as is usually done in the pool.

TECHNIQUE:

• The position of the head can be correct without problems and the roll can also be controlled, especially if the system is used tied to the ankles. Recovery is another aspect that can be done correctly without much difficulty. And it is possible to practice both side breathing and bilateral breathing.
• The big difference between swimming tied up and swimming in a 25m or 50m pool, or even in the sea, lies in the fact that when you are static there is no slipping and the body is destabilized , so coordination is going to be quite affected and due to to it, the legs will sink. 
• Swimming with this system it is usually more common for swimmers to use the 4 or 6 beat kick instead of the 2 beat. This lack of stability and slippage also impairs grip, which is easier when swimming in the pool or sea.
• On the other hand, you can swim in all 4 strokes, but performing drills and technique exercises is more complicated, so the technical work is much more limited swimming tied with lifeguard course near me

OPEN WATER / TRIATHLON:

The sensation of swimming without the interruption of reaching the wall at the end of the pool is very similar to swimming in open water. In addition, that imbalance that impairs technique due to lack of glide can be comparable to the sensation one gets from the movement of the waves when swimming in open water.

You can practice orientation perfectly and you can swim with your eyes closed to get used to not seeing the bottom, something very common in the sea or when the water is rough and cloudy. And since the swimmer is static, he can simulate the sensation of swimming against the current , so a strong psychological work must also be done in this regard.

Even if we leave the bike by the pool, you can practice triathlon transitions by getting out of the water and taking off your wetsuit and putting on the necessary equipment to ride the bike.

 In conclusion , swimming on a leash has limitations and its sensation is very different from swimming in the pool and in open water, but by training correctly you can get numerous benefits from swimming on a leash, above all, training in your own home, maintaining the physical form acquired during the season, and acquire new skills for swimming in open water.

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