Do you ever have that frustrating experience of having a brand new swim cap, using it once or twice, and then finding it inexplicably broken? If so, you’re not alone! Swim caps break because they have elastic properties that don’t last forever, but they sometimes snap sooner than expected due to improper use too. Today…
Lung packing is a traditional approach used by swimmers and freedivers to increase the air carried in the lungs. Although it has some significant benefits, lung packing is a pretty controversial method because of the risks involved. Since the technique is highly problematic, it’s only suitable for professionally trained free divers. Today I explore everything…
Bald swimmers wear caps too! The purpose of wearing a swim cap is often to reduce the largest amount of drag possible in the water. In the sport of swimming, seconds count and many competitive athletes choose to shave their bodies along with donning a tight-fitting swim cap to improve upon their times. While bald…
Triathlons are a great way to test your swimming, general fitness and endurance. But they can be incredibly hard going. Can you stop swimming during a triathlon? It’s not unusual to want or need to stop during the swimming leg of your triathlon. And although you are allowed to stop, there are some important caveats….
Can some people not float? Have you ever been in the pool and tried to float on your back, but simply couldn’t? No matter how much your swimming instructor told you to relax your muscles and spread your back evenly, you still can’t do it, so what gives? Scientifically speaking, some people cannot, in fact,…
When my daughter recently asked me ‘can a full wetsuit be used for swimming?’ I assumed she meant for her swimming lessons at the local indoor pool. I was both confused about why she would want to attempt them in a full wetsuit, and also stumped for any good reason why she shouldn’t! So I…
Swimming vs cycling for weight loss can be a difficult choice! I love both swimming and cycling, like many other people. Both are high intensity cardio exercises that get you out of the house and working hard. But, if you’re specifically working out to lose weight, you might be wondering whether swimming or cycling will…
Do swim caps keep water out of ears, or are wet ear canals an inevitable byproduct of your regular swim? I hate getting water in my ears, but I love my daily dip in the pool. There is a whole science and history behind the invention and development of swimming caps. And at times, wearing…
Swimming always brings a smile to my face, but are swimmers happier than other people? Recent research appears to suggest that swimmers have the edge over other athletes when it comes to mental and emotional health and wellbeing. And swimming isn’t bad for physical health, either! Today I’ll look into whether it’s really true that…
Swim caps are not a fashion accessory most people would choose. So why do guys wear swim caps when they have short or even no hair to keep dry or out of the way? Today I’ll share the top reasons why men need swimming caps just as much as women, and what the benefits are…
