Wetsuit Men

Wetsuit Men

Men's Triathlon Wetsuit - Get The Edge

In the past, sports in general were considered a male activity, and high endurance sports like triathlon were especially restricted to male only participants. But just as societal attitudes have evolved in regard to gender and sporting activity, the gear associated with a given sport has evolved with the needs of the athletes themselves. With the introduction of triathlon specific wetsuits to the sport, suit design and technological advances have made it possible to highly refine the characteristics that separate a men's triathlon wetsuit from one that is tailored for female competitors.

The subject of using a triathlon wetsuit has been a bit controversial ever since they first began being used. Many events, such as the Ironman competition in Hawaii, do not allow the aid of a wetsuit. There are valid arguments on either side of the issue, but the fact remains that a wetsuit provides an excellent advantage to any triathlete who chooses to use one.

If you are a male triathlon competitor and you are thinking about purchasing a men's triathlon wetsuit, there are a few things to keep in mind while searching for the perfect suit.

All wetsuits are not alike. I know this sounds pretty obvious, but I've actually seen people at triathlon competitions wearing wetsuits designed for surfing or scuba diving. If you're new to triathlon and you are contemplating wearing a wetsuit for the swim, be sure you shop for a triathlon wetsuit! These types of suits are designed specifically so that the suit is thinner in the shoulders, elbows, and armpits and thicker in the areas where you need buoyancy while swimming – the upper legs and chest. Also, the exterior of most modern triathlon wetsuits is designed for competition swimming. A great deal of research and material goes into the hydrodynamic function of the suit.

Make sure you can wear a suit at your event. If you are going for your first triathlon and you are considering wearing a wetsuit, check the rules for your event to ensure wetsuits are permitted. It would be a huge waist or time and resources if you were to purchase a suit, test it and train with it, only to arrive at your event and find the suit is not even permitted.

Be sure you can test your suit before settling on a purchase. Many online retailers or local shops have very friendly return policies, allowing you to test your suit before you make a final decision. Another option to save a bit of money is to find a shop where you can try on a suit, and then find it online for an even cheaper price. Searching online it's fairly easy to find discount codes for many of the online triathlon gear retailers. Every triathlon wetsuit brand is cut a bit differently, so definitely find the suit that fits you best. You will be much faster in any suit that fits properly than you will in one that is slightly baggy (greater drag) or binding (less flexible, more restrictive).

Many experienced triathletes choose to swim without the aid of a wetsuit because they see not wearing a suit as a truer test of one's abilities. Other triathletes, even the more experienced one's, feel that if you are allowed a competitive advantage then use it! Whatever you have in mind, undeniable reasons exist justifying why it is good to wear a suit. The greatest benefit of using a triathlon wetsuit whether you be male or female is the added buoyancy they provide. This is specifically advantageous to beginners who feel their legs may be "too heavy" while in the water. Not having to use your legs as much during the swim will also be also save your legs for the run and bike ride, and you wont be burning all the energy the large leg muscles generally require. Triathlon wetsuits will also keep you warm if your event is in particularly frigid water, and as stated they seriously cut down on drag as well. All of this adds up to a great deal more energy you will have later for the other two events of the competition.

Many of the diehard purists of the sport feel that triathlon wetsuits should not be allowed in the sport. In many instances these purists have a valid point, and in a great deal of events having a wetsuit is just impractical and becomes more of a hindrance than an advantage – think transition during a shorter triathlon or swimming in warmer water. There are other instances in which it is almost impossible to go without a wetsuit and the competitor may not even be able to participate without the aid of a suit. For many athletes, the wetsuit is something a beginner may find valuable, but an experienced triathlon competitor should eventually transition away from using a wetsuit. Whatever your take on the subject, triathlon wetsuits will always prove to be a valuable tool for any athlete who wishes to test their own physical mettle.

About the Author

Joel Henderson is an avid writer and fitness enthusiast. You can read more about the subject of this article at Best Triathlon Wetsuit. For other fitness info, check out Blood Pressure Monitors Now and Electronic Body Fat Scale.