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Triathlon Wetsuit

Monday, March 3rd, 2008

Triathlon Wetsuit

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.

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Low Jeremy maintains http://triathlon.articlekeep.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.