How to Put On Your Triathlon Wetsuit by XTERRA WETSUITS

XTERRA WETSUITS demonstrates simple tips for putting on a triathlon wetsuit. Knowing the correct way to put on your wetsuit will help reduce your T1 transition time during a race. www.XTERRAWetsuits.com Become a fan on Facebook http Check out the XTERRA Blog www.xterrawetsuits.com

PURE SPEED: 2011 Triathlon Wetsuits by XTERRA WETSUITS

Innovation. Designed for speed. Built for flexibility. Engineered for maximum performance and comfort. The fastest, most flexible triathlon wetsuits, XTERRA WETSUITS is North America’s best selling triathlon wetsuit brand.

How To Save Minutes off your Triathlon Swim Time

Simon talks with Triathlon LAB’s Carly Chamberlin about advances in wetsuit technology that offer potentially a bigger bang for your buck than investing in expensive biking equipment.

what should i wear during my triathlon swim?

I am doing my first triathlon in 5 months and am going to start my swimming training this week. What can I get to train in and race in? I don’t want to buy something expensive just to race in. I am thinking I buy one of those wetsuits that just cover your legs up…similar to the ones the olympic athletes race in. I don’t want to train in bulky swim trunks. I suppose I could go with the speedo…although I might be slightly uncomfortable at first.

Triathlon Wetsuits: To wear or not to wear

In the sport of triathlon, there is no question which sport most people have problems with. Out of swimming, cycling and running, the swim causes people the most problems by far. Whether it is terrible form, anxiety in the water, or poor upper body strength, any weakness in the swim is multiplied three-fold. If you have poor running form, you can still get by; even more so with cycling. If you are a terrible swimmer, this will cause you to fight against the resistance of the water much more than you have to. It is not uncommon to see super athletes that knock out marathons with ease unable to swim two laps in the pool without stopping.

Besides getting some swim coaching to help correct your form, there may be something else you can do that will make the difference between quitting half way through the swim, or finishing strong with energy to spare for the next two events of the race.

If you are a poor swimmer or a beginner to triathlon, listen to this…You MUST get a wetsuit if you plan on racing. A good wetsuit will allow full range of motion in the shoulders, chest, and legs while providing maximum buoyancy. When you float higher in the water, you will go faster and save energy, period.

So now you know you need a wetsuit, but what type, what brand, when should you wear it, and how much should you spend?

The USAT guidelines state that everyone may wear a wetsuit if the water temperature is 78 degrees or below. You are welcome to wear a wetsuit if the temperature is 79 degrees to 84 degrees but you won’t be eligible for awards. Anything 85 degrees or over, no wetsuits are allowed.

Therefore, if the water is 78 or below, wear a wetsuit – even a short sprint distance race. You will be much quicker in a wetsuit and save energy. Of course, you also have to deal with taking it off in transition-1 to the bike, but if you’re well practiced, you’ll more than make up for the additional time in transition.

For those that aren’t strong swimmers, wetsuits can (and should) give you more confidence. Have you ever tried swimming underwater in your wetsuit? If not, try it sometime. You’ll pop back up like a cork! This is great for someone that has a fear of drowning.

Second, make sure you have a triathlon wetsuit. It’s amusing to see people wearing their body boarding, surfing or even their SCUBA wetsuits. These aren’t made for our sport. So don’t rummage through the garage to find your old surf wetsuit, that won’t work. These are much too thick and will limit your mobility and speed in the water.

Third, it really doesn’t matter what brand you get. The main concern is whether it fits or not. You can spend all the money in the world on the best wetsuit, but if it doesn’t fit correctly, it will slow you down. It should be snug but shouldn’t limit your breathing or choke you around the neck. Too loose and water will get in and slow you down. If you try one brand and it doesn’t fit just right, try another. With so many choices you’ll find one that fits.

Fourth, I like the full-arms style of wetsuits. I used to have a long-john style, which means it had full-length legs, but no sleeves. I thought the long sleeves would limit my stroke, but they don’t. In fact, according to the manufacturer (Quintana Roo), the long sleeves actually help you go faster because it increases the water your arm “catches” as you pull through. It’s really up to you which kind you get. Just try some out and see what you like best.

Finally, triathlon is a very mental sport. If that carbon fiber frame makes you think you’re going faster, you do. If your new running shoes make you think you’re going faster, you do. And if your wetsuit makes you think you’re going faster, you do.

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What To Do With Your Triathlon Wetsuits During The Race

Due to time pressure, majority of racers often forget that one of the central things in a race is for your gears to fit properly. When its too tight, then it must have the proper fit, right? Yes.

There are no standard measures that can help us in choosing our wetsuits. We only have to trust on our best judgement and trust on the luck that you have the perfect wet suit.

Triathlon races allow absolute personal choices for gears and equipments. However if you were joined in a racing team, it would be possible that you get to follow the prescribed uniform.

Wetsuits are critical during the race. If they aren't perfectly donned, they can create true differences. In most cases, they restrict your from moving freely just because the lower suit pulls the top from its proper place.

Wetsuits are designed to be pulled easily into and out from your body, especially when you and the suit are wet.

It is best to leave your socks on if you are to wear the wetsuit. This will prevent the material from stretching due to pulling from your toes. Pull the bottom of the pants further until the crotch is snugly fit. This junction is critical so please do it carefully.

If you are using a full-length wetsuit, you have to ensure that the dividing section between the lower and upper parts are placed on their respective positions.

Afterwhich, drive your arms into the armholes. Secure to it that the space between your armpit and the suit is just enough to let you move if you are using full suits. If however, you prefer to use Long Johns, you would no longer be bothered with the sleeves.

Now the question arises, which works better, Full Suits or Long Johns?

If it is the advantage of speed that you like, you can turn to full suits. These work well for more experienced swimmers who can produce long but lesser strokes since full suits help conserve energy by cutting the water easier.

Long Johns however, leave your arms free which can better help facilitate higher stroke counts. These also provide the feel of water.

If you have practiced enough, it is possible for you to wear or remove your wetsuit in less that 10 seconds during the race. After all, triathlon wet suits are designed to be taken in and off quickly. But whatever you do, never sit down while taking it off. This will add 5 seconds or more on your transition time.

Tips Concerning Wetsuits During A Triathlon Race

Wet suits are typically a personal choice in Triathlon competitions unless you are a member of a team that mandates a definite type of suits. Nevertheless, triathlon as a whole is an individual sport which allows participants to choose their personal gears, equipments and suits.

The major gears aside, the wet suit plays one of the major roles in helping you win or lose the game. Sometimes, it creates the make or break momentum. The mile you have earned during the swim period may be lost only because your wet suit failed you.

The best wet suits are those that fit snugly into the athlete's body. This may sound easy yet the differences are told by the unique body build the racer has. People are often fooled by the impression that the wet suit does not fit correctly when all the while, it has the proper fit saying "the suit is too tight'.

Proper fitting can't actually be given by standard measures. However, the general rule of thumb dictates that there must never be any leaks in regions covering the neck, arms and the feet. While most wet suits work on the principle of trapping enough layer of water between the skin and the neoprene (which by the way is the typical choice of material among racers), the space must not still allow a constant flow of water.

The fit tells it all. Most racers in the triathlon don't get the advantages of wet suits because either the suit doesn't fit well or they don't wear it right.

When wearing your wet suit, on practice or during the competition, it is best that you leave your socks on. This will act as a lubricant for the entrance of your feet on the holes of your suit. To prevent your toenails from snagging or stretching the neoprene, a very delicate material, you can use non-petroleum products to make the removal easier during the transition stage.

Be sure that the crotch fits snugly as this may tell the difference. Without its proper placement, the upper part of the wet suit may fit poorly. Once you are comfortable with the pants, the next thing you would want to do is to secure the upper suit. It is just a matter of pulling it and sliding your arms into the holes.

If you are using a full wet suit, you must secure to it that there is no space between your armpit and the neoprene. Wetsuits are critical during the race. If they aren't perfectly donned, they can create true differences. In most cases, they restrict your from moving freely just because the lower suit pulls the top from its proper place. Wetsuits are designed to be pulled easily into and out from your body, especially when you and the suit are wet.

It is best to leave your socks on if you are to wear the wetsuit. This will prevent the material from stretching due to pulling from your toes. Pull the bottom of the pants further until the crotch is snugly fit. This junction is critical so please do it carefully. If you are using a full-length wetsuit, you have to ensure that the dividing section between the lower and upper parts are placed on their respective positions.

Afterwhich, drive your arms into the armholes. Secure to it that the space between your armpit and the suit is just enough to let you move if you are using full suits. If however, you prefer to use Long Johns, you would no longer be bothered with the sleeves. Now the question arises, which works better, Full Suits or Long Johns?

If it is the advantage of speed that you like, you can turn to full suits. These work well for more experienced swimmers who can produce long but lesser strokes since full suits help conserve energy by cutting the water easier. Long Johns however, leave your arms free which can better help facilitate higher stroke counts. These also provide the feel of water.

If you have practiced enough, it is possible for you to wear or remove your wetsuit in less that 10 seconds during the race. After all, triathlon wet suits are designed to be taken in and off quickly. But whatever you do, never sit down while taking it off. This will add 5 seconds or more on your transition time.

 

Different Types Of Wetsuits Triathlon Wear

When it comes to triathlon wear , there is a wide variety of options on the market. For triathletes, the difference in attire is truly a personal choice.

Although some teams may mandate specific uniforms, the sport is generally individual, allowing each participant to choose his or her desired outfit.

When it comes to triathlon wear , the traditional material is neoprene, the same type used in wetsuits.

This is generally due to chilly water temperatures that can cause you to lose valuable time due to cold shock.

Furthermore, using a wet suit for your triathlon suit allows you to use the item for other sports, including scuba diving or surfing.

There are three main items in triathlon wear : full, sleeveless, and two-piece suits.

Again, the choice is purely personal, as each different competitor enjoys a the feel, protection, and mobility of different suits.

The full suit is a one piece suit that covers arms and legs.

This suit is the best multisport suit and can complete cover the arms and legs completely or only cover the legs to the knees and the arms to the elbows.

Sleeveless suits are a one piece suit that stops coverage at the shoulders, but continues to cover the legs to either the knees or the ankles.

Finally, two-piece suits employ mix and match system for triathlon clothes that can include long or short bottoms with long tops, short tops, or no tops at all.

If you are interested in purchasing a multisport suit, consider the difference in the neoprene.

Suits made for surfing, kayaking, or diving are made from thicker, less movable neoprene that may not be flexible enough for the demanding sport of a triathlon.

Like other clothes , choose a suit that is in the middle of the road to ensure the most usefulness.