Triathlon Coach Shows Cheap DIY Swim Tether - BPC Performance Coaching
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- Coach Dale breaks out his DIY design for a swim tether that actually feels like real open water swimming. With so many pools closed due to COVID-19, there are limited options for swim training right now. If you have access to a back yard pool, you can be swimming again for less than $30.
Here are the links for the products. Yes they are affiliate links but we have no direct relationship with either company. We just searched for the cheapest options to build this system as of 3/31/20.
Short Fins: amzn.to/2JszTyP
Bungees with Carabiners: amzn.to/2UTAK0X (Our new recommendation is to stick with exercise resistance bands instead of bungees)
Post up comments to let us know how it feels compared to normal open water swimming, and any changes you made to your design. Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest from BPC.
Little update on the design. Stick with exercise resistance bands. Bungee cords are too rigid for doing varied efforts. Resistance bands provide more gradual resistance so you don't feel them when you go harder or easier.
Are there any on Amazon that you would recommend? What length would be best for a backyard pool going lengthwise?
@@davidmock9868 depends on length of your pool. I'd stick with a stronger (generally blue color) resistance band. They are usually about 4' long and those have worked perfect.
Fabulous. Thanks for this, I am ordering some TYR Burners right now and will get this happening :)
Legend! Love the ingenuity, and love that you hit all the marks on the things I didn't like about a waist tether, so excited to try this. Thank you for sharing this with the world of keen swimmers missing out on big lap pools! A genuine big thank you. Great video, instructions and demonstration.
Thanks Joel!
Just got a belt tether. Did my first swim. It was ok, but I literally felt my feet were at the floor. Which is obviously horrible for back and core. Going to make this system today. Super easy, cheap, and practical. Thanks for the video! Will make practicing open water swim much better than in a lap pool.
We tried them all! Nothing felt even close. Stick with exercise bands for the resistance and it will keep your kick feeling less restrictive. The ones in the video ended up being a little tight so I went back to the original version.
Thank you for this! I already had Zoomers, and the exercise bands and carabiners were about $20. It was super easy to put together and it works like a charm. So comfortable! Much better than a belt or harness. Genius!
Swim on Carrie!
Built a tether system for myself and for my kid. Thanks so much. Used theraband tubing which I had to double up but it allows you to really fine-tune things.
Great sub. The exercise bands versus the bungees we used in the video really allow you to do tempo changes without being jerked around.
Thanks so much for this...it cost a little bit more in Canada from Amazon about $50 when all done but it was worth it. Was set up in less than 10 minutes. I ordered 48" bungees with double ended carabiners and it worked amazing. Had a pool basket ball set with weighted bases and anchored to them...great workout...thanks for sharing this!!!
So worth it!
Thank you so much for this video, I have been dying without pool access. Used tethers quite a bit in age group swimming and it's sure a different beast! Now to try and bribe the neighbor to let me use their pool...
No problem. We hear a six pack is a decent bribe. 😁
Great idea! The fins suggested were too expensive in the UK, but I used Finis Zoomers, and an old exercise bungee I had. 12 foot circular pool! Only 62cm deep, better than nothing! Works well.
Awesome. The first model was made with zoomers. Great option as well.
Thanks so much! I was in my mom's pool in Florida, wishing I could swim laps, starting wondering about tethering with bungie cord, tried a couple things, then turned to Google. This is perfect! And I had my zoomers with me. I drilled two holes and the next thing ya know, I'm mindlessly swimming. I did a few mods w/what I found in the garage but, even with those, this is very cool. Very. It was very generous of you to share this with us. If never tried tethered swimming before and I feel lucky to have skipped over a lot of annoying problems and straight to a sound method. I would encourage you to go ahead and look into a patent. It's expensive but maybe someone can help with tips.
glad it worked out for you!
Great idea. I once cut down an inexpensive set of snorkeling fins to use as training fins. I bet that would work as well and help keep the costs down.
This is a great add, you are right about the belt, I always felt my legs drop with flippers on as well, I'm ordering the stuff now, I may send a video. Thanks again!
Awesome!
Looks much better than using a waist belt..and much less expensive than a hydropool. THANKS for sharing.
You bet!
Awesome thanks for sharing this idea...have ordered all the components and look forward to trying this out in my Back yard pool during this lockdown
thank you...later i go to the sports shop and i buy the things needed to try it.
Hope you got it all fixed up!
This is fantastic, thank you for putting this out there!
No problem!
Wow, this actually looks pretty good. I love that you put this out there for everyone. Thank you. Sadly, no backyard pool options for me. But adding a thick layer of blubber and fat to my mid section should help with buoyancy when I'm able to get back in the water. 🤔
Yeahhh...defintiely not ideal for those without pool access. But after everyone puts on the COVID 19 you might be able to go open water anyways.
Thanks for posting - just the sort of thing I was looking for.
I'm going to do this for myself. The only drawback for my specific situation, is that I am trying to work with 5 grandkids (in their pool) , all different ages and feet sizes. Which would mean investing in multiple size fins, and more as they continue growing. The cost is not as much of a concern as viability. I'm going to see if we want to invest in different size fins or go with the belt. I love the ingenuity. Thank you for sharing.
No problem Todd! Highly recommend the fins though. The belts just don't feel like swimming!
It would be almost as cheap and much less hassle for you to buy a flow machine.
What about ankle straps?
Flow machines cost a fortune.
Amazon.
Ankle strap type.
Cheap. Works great
This is awesome- works really well!!
Great to hear!
Were you able to do Butterfly in these?
Amazing idea and design! Kudos.
Yes absolutely
This idea works great!!! Thank you so much!!
Absolutely!
Nice idea! I live in a retirement community where the clubhouse pool is only about40 feet long. this looks like it will work well for me. I’ve read the comments about what weight you recommend. I’m going to try the 20 pound resistance bands I use for dry land crawling. Thank fir making the excellent video.
Should work pretty well! I swim crossways in my pool and it's only 20ft across.
Let me try. Thanks for the idea.
Thank you for share this system
You bet!
For $20 you can get stretch cords that velcro around your ankles.
Amazon...
You can anchor it to a door to do arm arm strokes for dryland work too...
Did you try attaching it to your ankles? Wondering what that would be like.
Yes i did to the ankles.
While it does not help me work on my sinky legs, it does let me get a good upper body body swim, you can still kick if you like, and it doesn't effect your ability to roll your body....
Thank you my lap pool is closed right now so I have been looking at options to tether swim in my small backyard pool. I already have a pair of short fins and will order the bungees to set this up!
Awesome! Let us know how you like it.
awesome work
Thanks!
Thanks heaps for this - will be trying it as soon as I get a chance 👍
No problem 👍
Genius! I already have all these items. So it will me free!
Thanks
Thank you.
Awesome design man, thank you so so much! What size carabiner did you use for fins and cords
Karly Rothenberg this is what we got for the last few. www.amazon.com/dp/B072NCYVQK/?tag=bpc016-20
Stick with exercise bands for the resistance!
Amazon is now shipping in the end of July early August I think I’ve missed my window. Might have to make a trip to Burlington’s swimoutlet.
Yikes!
Looks very interesting!!
I have a couple of questions..as we are in the process of having a small 3x4 meter plunge pool built.
Although this is very small.. Is that a sufficient size to work?
What works best?.. having it anchored from the top of the pool deck?.. or ianchored from inside the pool.. at water line .. or below water line?
Lastly.. although it would be a more involved modification.. would there be a benefit to mounting the carabiner underneath the fin on the heel so that the toe is not under constant load.. just a thought.. might be worth a try!!
Thanks for your awesome idea.. cheers!!
All great questions. Based on the amount of stretch in the resistance bands you may be cutting it close on set where you do hard efforts and they stretch, but I think you're fine. May just need a couple band options for different style workouts. I anchor mine close to the water line to promote good body position with the heels/butt/head just at the surface. There is another design out there that mounts at the heel. The main reason I went with this one was because it promoted proper plantar flexion of the foot and ankle. I have more ankle flexibility to begin with so this has actually helped in the open water so you are not dragging two anchors through the water.
@@BuildPeakCompete
Thanks for your prompt reply.. and great answers!!
I just happened to have a piece of strong spear gun rubber band, some snap hooks, a piece of rope and an old pair of fins kicking around( that were cracked and a bit brittle )that I cut off and drilled... so I did a quick temporary mock up to test it out.
I didn’t have much time today but I was so excited to try it so I went in for a quick dip. It felt great and I was pleasantly surprised at how well it works.. I will do a longer swim tomorrow.
I am using a larger pool at the moment.. but I am confident that the smaller pool will still work. In regard to the toe mounting.. I really liked it.. so I am just going to stick with that.. no need to change a good thing. Thanks so much for sharing your system... much appreciated!!
Get at it!
Add a float a few feet from your flippers. This is for stability (4 way)
Great idea!
Nice swimming video
Thanks a bunch!
Great idea. How solid does the anchor need to be? I was thinking of a camping / tent stake in the grass? Have you found that you pull out of the fins? Thanks for sharing!!
I’ve never personally came out of the fins but they are pretty snug on me. They may eventually stretch. If you can’t connect to a ladder or lane line, one of those twist in stakes would hold really well. It’s not a ton of force.
I was wondering if you can strokes, other than freestyle, wearing this set up?
Butterfly is doable. Breast feels a little different but I'm also not super proficient in that stroke.
Thank you!
Do you have a link to the resistance bands that you think would work best for this? Really interested in trying this out.
Any cheap exercise tubing style band will work. Might be able to find something cheaper but this is similar to what I use. amzn.to/3hUa8Y8
@@BuildPeakCompete So with the 2 bands, the fins and the carabiners, it comes out to about $50 (plus whatever it costs to install an anchor hook in my pool deck). Will give it a try. Thanks!
Great video! I've heard other people say that you can't really swim tethered for longer than 20 minutes or so, to avoid shoulder injuries. Do you find that to be true?
Kristin Penaskovic like anything else it has to be progressed. You don’t want to be on it for long the first few times. We’ve got athletes that do 30-40 min sessions on the tether but it’s not all swimming. We are focusing mostly on technique and propulsion. It’s the propulsion work you’ll want to be careful with because it puts more stress on the joints more similarly to using paddles. Hope that helps.
Thanks for the video. Why not ankle straps instead of fins?
If you attach at the ankle the band has to pass over your heel or over your foot as you kick. It messes with proper plantar flexion of the foot.
@@BuildPeakCompetethe one I bought has straps on the sides of each ankle (like a Y) so your feet are free to flex...
How long do you swim? I see other videos with people teathering their waist but saying they can only go 20-30 minutes. ..that would be frustrating to me.. I am thinking about buying an above ground pool for my patio...do you think this would work in the realm of a fast jet type current machine? Those are like 7k ...I would love to swim.... I swim in lakes and sometimes teather my paddle board to my waist and drag it with my dogs across lakes... the only way I can keep them from trying to follow me...
I’ve done hour long sessions on the tether before. Not straight on but broken longer segments. The longest I’ve done straight with it is about 30 min as a half ironman prep swim. The resistance is different than a jet motor. The tether does put a tad more resistance into the pull so like any type of training, you just have to progress the time you spend on it.
Ok cool...I'm not training for any races..I usually pool swim here but it's closed. I have had the opportunity to swim in lakes a bit this summer. I really want an endless pool..trying to find a solution..how is a boom compared to your solution?
My issue is my feet cramp in my zoomers..I have short ones I could use .is the pull at all causing any friction on your heels or feet? And no problem with them falling off?
Sorry lots of questions
Oh and I'd be buying a small above ground to get through this ish...could be a long time 😬
Zany M as far as comparison to the boom, I didn’t like the thing around my waist. Inhibited roll and got chafed by it. I’ve never had an issue with the fins rubbing my feet or falling off. Mine are pretty snug. And as far as cramping, that happens to a lot of people with fins in general. Make sure you are well hydrated and do some warm up stretching of your ankles and calves.
I love this I have been watching tether swimming and the form is awful. How can I make this work for a hydo therapy hot tub 12 feet ?
Keeping good form was the biggest reason we needed something different. You might be fine with short fins and a shorter exercise band. The bungees in the video would not be ideal for a super short pool or spa. We actually use exercise bands now and a shorter one of those might be perfect.
This worked great but the fins ripped. I'm thinking about using a grommet
Were you using the same fins as the ones he showed? I’m looking at making 2 pairs
@@IAmCjcj11 I used capas brand. Second pair are holding up better. Drilled a little closer to the heel
So you just do time based training for this or is there a workaround to get your distance on Garmin?
Generally yes, time based or counting strokes. I generally just track it as an open water swim to get the time. You can possibly track it as a long drill session if you know your average distance/min. But doing it as a pool swim generally doesn't work because you are going nowhere. FWIW, I use Wahoo Rival, Garmin might be a little different.
Do you thing this is a good system for learning how to swim?
Karla Villarreal Leal it can be, but you’d be better off getting some personal instruction early on if you have no experience swimming freestyle.
could you use pool /beach shoes
The fins are really the best option because they have a section you can drill through without hitting your feet
If you were going to buy a rectangular above ground pool, what dimensions would you go with for tethered lap swimming like this?
I've seen several people doing this. Not sure on width, but length wise you'd want at least the length of your outstretched body, plus 5-6 feet to allow the cords to stretch as you go harder. Could get away with less if the cords are mounted further back behind the pool edge. My home pool is 15' wide and I probably use 12 of it most of the time. I've clipped the wall once or twice doing max sprint efforts. Hope that helps.
@@BuildPeakCompete Excellent, thank you for your advice.
cool
What about frog kick/ breast stroke? Seems unlike this would work.
It’s not perfect for breast, but it works because the fins are short. Butterfly and back are great. If you trimmed them shorter I’m sure it would be ok.
What strength of exercise resistance bands do you use?
John Hemmerling just a medium resistance. If color coded, go blue.
For dry land I use 20 pound resistance bands attached to handles hooked over the top of a door.
Cut away a lot of the fin so its slimmer
Great Idea. You definitely want to make sure your connection point is on the thicker part of the fin.
When you finish swimming can you just stand up
If you swim in the shallow end yes!
Those fins went from 18.90 to over $40 now lol
Holy cow!