Pullbouy - Recommendations

The main purpose of a pullbuoy is to effectively isolate the legs from moving, so you only use your arms to create propulsion.

Here's what you do

• For competitive or advanced swimmers to focus on their technique or strength in the stroke. When you remove an element like the legs, it allows you to specifically think about the insertion of your arms, your high elbow underwater or your propulsion over the water. When you don't have the propulsion from the legs, it also puts pressure on the arms and could improve the strength of the pull-up. Using a pullbuoy for this strength purpose can be combined with finger paddles to put additional pressure on the water.

For newer swimmers, to help them bring their legs up to the surface of the water, which otherwise typically hang halfway to the bottom. This creates a more natural and cohesive swim. 

However, a pullbuoy is not just a pullbuoy, as there are differences in design, comfort, and buoyancy.

Several things are important for a good pullbuoy:

• Buoyancy: Must have enough buoyancy in its material to hold the entire lower body up in the water. A rule of thumb is that if the upper part of the pullbuoy, when it is between the legs, is not up and touching the surface of the water, the buoyancy is not strong enough. All good pullbuoys are therefore made from EVA foam
• Falling out while swimming: The only thing that can interrupt a good workout is when the pullbuoy falls out, usually when turning around. This is either because it's too thick (making it difficult to wrap your legs around) or because it's not properly moulded to the shape of your thighs. The best pullbuoys therefore have the greatest possible difference in width at the bottom vs. in the centre, while the top is smaller so that they “encircle” the thighs
• Comfort: Minor red marks cannot be avoided when wearing a pullbuoy for long periods of time. But a good pullbouy shouldn't leave marks. Therefore, the surface should be treated so that it doesn't rub into your skin when you swim

A pullbuoy can be placed in several spots on the legs. The most common is at the centre between knee and crotch. The closer to the crotch, the less help you will get to keep your legs up. If, on the other hand, you want to focus on strengthening your core/abdominal region in the rotation rather than your arms, you can place the pullbouy right down by your ankles with great advantage. 

To ensure they are as hydrodynamic as possible and stay between the legs, the best pullbuoys are thinner and smaller at one end and thicker at the other. This means it's easier to get a good, firm grip on the pullbouy with your thighs.