You've been using Your Pull Buoy Wrong

Triathletes all around the world have been using their pull buoy wrong with swim training; Triathlon Taren explains three problems caused by using a pull buoy during swim workouts and how triathletes should be using a pull buoy correctly. The three problems for triathletes when training with a pull buoy are: encouraging sinky legs, not having proper alignment, and ignoring the development of the swim kick.
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[@richardswaby6339]

As someone trying to perfect my freestyle technique I did not realise how much my legs were dropping until I used a pull buoy. The pull buoy taught me how my body should lay in the water. Having realised the problem I can work to fix it when I am not using the pull buoy. Also the pull buoy helps me with my arms. Pull buoy gives me more time to move into catch position and to get an early vertical forearm. This has caused my arm movement to improve when I am not using the pull buoy. Also the pullbuoy helps me with rotation. Also the pullbuoy helps me with flutter kicks Pull buoy's are great. It has really helped me to improve.

[@pamelaparker9772]

Total incompetence. Nothing preventing you from kicking having the pull buoy. The complete opposite is actually true. And as added bonus in order to keep the device in place your kicks must be narrow and short. Basically the pull buoy teaching you proper kicks but enforcing them. Other thing many people (including this guy) are missing is, that the pull buoy giving you some extra time, which every novice needs, to time property leg kicks with arm strokes. Finally as your stroke improves the transition to pull buoy free swimming is seamless. The notion that once your remove the pull buoy your legs will be sinking forever is just a joke. Buyer be aware of false prophets or specialists.

[@truthfulrobot9295]

God Bless you Mate! This really helped me understand the use of this device. I just got a Nike Pull Bouy.

[@scubamike50]

Excellent report.

[@marisanabriah]

when i started swimming i loooved pull sets because my legs were so sinky, now i hate them, it feels so cumbersome. thanks taren! amazing video.

[@robbybubble240]

Great advice!

[@HeliSimDriver]

How do you push your chest down, or more precisely, what muscles do you use to do that. Chest floats wherever it wants depending on how much air is inside, so I don't understand how I force it to go down so that my dinky legs come up higher. Thanks

[@thibod07]

We learn something every day! Being new to the swimming I learned that I was a sinker! Your advises are really relevant to my condition! I first though about cutting the pull buoy in small pieces and putting it in my bathing suit but this will work only as a short term solution. I will use the snorkel and try to have a better position then I will put the pull buoy pieces in my bathing suit if it does not work! Thank you for your advices! I think my head position is a big part of my problem! I have big lungs and an empty head so that should give me enough buoyancy if used properly! 😃😃😃

[@TriathlonTaren]

Hahah!! Never cut up a pull buoy, there's always a better way... that being proper technique! lol

[@AnthonyPoppe]

Taren, how to find your swim drills? I'm not confident in the water at all, so your programme sounds amazing. Your site says it is not enrolling.

[@donny0man]

Looks like I've been using the pull buoy right! Coupled with hand paddles, the pull buoy allows me to really concentrate on the technique of the arms. As a warm-up for each swim, I do a few hundred meters of pull, and force myself to think about the stroke technique. Then I get rid of the pull buoy!

[@jerryflores3218]

Same here, but I was trained as a swimmer to only use the pull buoy for resistance training for arm only workouts. Then I get rid of it, never have I thought about using it while actually kicking, its kind of awkward.

[@andrewbarker1686]

Can someone help me find the 15 drills? I went on the site and it led me to a trunticated book that costs money to buy in order to get the drills. Thanks.

[@bobbiassoun9790]

Do you have any advice for people with multiple sclerosis you can’t kick their feet anymore? Should I get plastics for my ankles sense like I said I don’t have any control over my legs anymore

[@DeathValleyDebbie]

They work great for people like me that are just trying to get exercise via the pool. My arms are weak so to take a break from the killer leg workout I get from the kickboard, I can work on strengthening my arms. Fun videos though, thank you.

[@onemileguy]

Damnit Taren, you’re right... now I’m off to the surgeon to have it removed.

[@jasonrochon6223]

So just buy floatie pants, if we are in Canada we should always be allowed to wear them in competition anyways right?

[@eddiediesel9035]

How do you wear it, big end up or down ?

[@almyers8074]

And what is the right way to use the pull bouy?

[@LeonBessiere1]

Omg almost skipped an ad 😂

[@borismarkus2520]

This is a bit contrary to what our coach says. Per our coach the pull buoy will develop better core and help in developing long reach with the arms when done correctly which in turn will lift the legs to the surface of the water. Any thoughts?

[@TriathlonTaren]

Hey! Good question! Can you ask this in a recording for a new q and a podcast I’m launching here triathlontaren.com/trainiask so that other people can benefit from the answer as well?

[@barryfield9300]

Bell shaped curve my friend. Really level headed, friendly, cool folks/the average Joe & Jane who are trying to lead a healthy lifestyle/the jerks who have to win at all costs. This goes for age groupers and pros.

[@cerchcerchington359]

Soooooooooo basically scrap the bouy lol I use it when I’m tired n it lets me basically cheat the workout, prob not productive

[@michaelpatten1286]

Triathletes I need your help. I am older, in the opposite situation where my right knee cartilage is "shot", already had stem cell treatment in my right knee that probably did not work, etc. and my new sports medicine doctor recommends using the pool buoy so I can't use my legs while I swim. Also, I just started physical therapy. My question is do I just need the pool bouy to ensure I am not using my legs or the knee straps as well. In addition, should I start lifting weights for increasing upper body strength for swimming considering my knee is "shot". Any advice is appreciated.

[@TriathlonTaren]

My advice would be to do what your Physio and Sports Med doc has recommended. None of us here on the Internet have seen your body, seen your gait, know what the actual problem is or your physiology, and our advice might screw you up permanently. Go with the professionals who have seen and touched your body.

[@HoopyAmero]

I use the buoy two days after leg day so I don't have to use my legs.

[@Lucky008aau]

No bouy for me. I have a bad kick, I have sinky legs, and my legs sink too much even with the bouy (even with the big black and silver one). .But, these thunder thighs float very nicely in my wetsuit (Xterra Vortex 4 sleeveless, aka a cheaper suit that floats you nicely, but makes it more difficult to rotate side to side). Pressing down with the "T" of the chest and not having full lungs of air seems to work best for me (@3:33 above).

[@Joygre1]

Hello! do you have a link for floatie pants?

[@TriathlonTaren]

I don't -- just Google neoprene shorts!

[@cmillholland]

0:34 - Talk about pool toys!

[@robertkacala]

why in UK snorkelers are forbidden to use in swimming pools ???

[@jml6331]

Robstar i had that too! Apparently the snorkel can prevent the lifeguard from getting to your airways if you are in trouble... slightly frustrating as lots of drills suggest using one

[@michaelnystrom9578]

I thought the buoy was to work on strength and stroke rate🤔I don’t have sinky legs, but I’m using a buoy constantly now (without kicking) to get some meters in. It actually leaves me sore and is hard to get through the distance. Any thoughts Taren??

[@michaelnystrom9578]

Injured ankle ligament is my reason for use...

[@alanguages]

I found out, a pull buoy can be used to improve flutter kicks. It just has to be higher between the legs. Not just right above the knees, but between the thighs.

[@ourchaneayoub2877]

You right bro

[@dannybowles6181]

Pressing the buoy is from Total Immersion. Credit where it's due.

[@triyourbest7000]

Legend has it he drowned after the thumbnail @taren would triathletes ever consider flat pedals to save time in t1 and 2.?They would save time mounting the bike and putting shoes on so I was just thinking is it stupid to do so?

[@TriathlonTaren]

Well, there's no distance where pro triathletes (who's livelihood depends on being fast) don't use clip ins.

[@lizbaum4836]

What is a floatie pants option for women?

[@TriathlonTaren]

Same thing

[@gdeangelkick]

"Sinky legs"... is that a new technical term? There can be a combination of 2 things that cause "sinky" legs. 1) Actual buoyancy. There is not much fat in the lower leg / foot area of most swimmers. Even "thunder thighs McGee" may have more muscle on those hams than fat! 2) Lack of core strength, in particular an imbalance between the dorsal and ventral core muscles. So think of it like this -- you start working on your legs doing dry-land sets and running more -> you are adding more muscle to your legs, making them less buoyant, and not doing much for your core strength. Better to get a balance ball and work some isometric sets to strengthen the core muscles with reverse planks, etc. The pull buoy has nothing to do with any of that. It's simply a way to train to build up more power from your arms by taking away the propulsion of the legs (and add some drag).

[@mustaphab.1190]

I ditched the buoy after a couple of sessions and forced myself to balance naturally. My perso solution by experience: swimming long (not over gliding but long up on the front), keep concantrated on the whole core tightness and rotation, and finally: swimming without dropping the extending shoulder(driving the upper arm high somewhere above my ear level?). The last one made the most impact!

[@mustaphab.1190]

Tight neoprene short helped me a lot in open water. I highly recommend to everybody. Not so indoors friendly due to higher pool temp.

[@Nutty_Professor]

40km? holly smoke....you can cross the Rio De La Plata dude

[@surfer4478]

missed the point?

[@Jorah40]

Not allowed snorkels in our public pool

[@TriathlonTaren]

Weird!

[@cryptojedii]

Less talking and more demonstrating...Geez!

[@thomasgiallo5899]

First

[@M3T2W01f]

When I teach my beginners, I teach them how to kick first. It makes everything else easier.

[@tnm140]

It’s pronounced boo eeee

[@shadeie6395]

You also don't know how to pronounce buoy. It's like BOOIE not BOY 😂🤣

[@andylumsden8576]

It's boy in British English, depends on where you are from as to the pronunciation.

[@hardstock07]

You talk too much , quarter of video you still yacking and talking still too much!