*Swimming Goggles:

Swim goggles should be a standard part of any swimmer's guar and provide a protection in the water. The human eye is not designed to work in an aquatic environment and the goggles keep the water out of your eyes, preventing them from being saturated with chemicals in the pool or saltwater, and they help you see where you are going in the water.

Goggles are supposed to be comfortable and for that reason, before the swimming goggles hit the water check:

Is the goggle too small and pinch the eye sockets? Could the nose bridge be adjusted or no? Is the strap the right size for adjusting and can be easily adjusted and don't detach themselves too easily? Are you allergic to silicone? Do you prefer silicone or sponge goggle? Check that goggle lenses have an anti-fog coating (on the inside). Do you like the dark or light lenses?

After swimming, rinse your goggles in water and hang them to dry (straps hanging down) and store them in a goggles case to prevent the lenses from getting scratched.

Rubbing the inside of the goggles removes the anti-fog coating and the goggles may begin to fog. If this happened, use anti-fog coating.

*Swim Cap

Caps are worn in an attempt to keep hair relatively dry, to protect from chlorinated water, to keep water out of the ears. Competitive swim caps also reduce drag in the water caused by loose hair. Swim caps are made from a variety of different materials:

Silicone Swim Caps

Silicone is one of the most popular materials used for swimming caps. Silicone caps will last for years, when maintained properly.

Latex Swim Caps

Latex is a far thinner material than silicone. Latex swim caps rip more easily especially. Latex caps are generally much cheaper than other types of swim caps.

Rubber Swim Caps

Rubber caps are thicker and not stretchy. Rubber caps are known for their durability and longevity, because of the thickness of the material.

Lycra Swim Caps

Lycra™ is a trademarked name for a synthetic fiber. Lycra swim caps are known to be very soft and will never pull your hair. Since Lycra is a fabric, those caps will allow water to flow through the material while swimming.

How to Put On a Swimming Cap

Before you put on the cap, be sure to remove any jewelry that may catch the cap. If you have long hair, put your hair up and secure it with an elastic hair band .Then, hold the swim cap wide open with both hands ensuring that your fingers are on the inside of the cap and thumb is on the outside. Starting at your forehead, pull the cap over your hair and down towards your neck.

Cap Designs

Swim caps with designs are very popular in the last few years. There are a wide variety of cap colors and designs available. You will find a huge selection of novelty swim caps in a reputable swim shop or online

Where to Shop for Swim Caps?

Many large sporting goods stores have a basic selection of swim caps. However, if you want more designs, color and selection buy from a real swim shop or an online.

*There are a variety of shampoos and conditioners that you can buy to help protect and repair your hair if you swim often. When used with a swim cap, it will give you the best protection by keeping your hair clean and healthy.

*Be sure to rinse off your swim caps in fresh water after use, to dry off your cap and store in a dry place. Leaving a swim cap in the sun will destroy it.

*Fins

The best way to improve your technique, flexibility of your hips and strength in your legs is by using fins. Fins allow you to swim faster using the biggest muscle groups, which means you also develop your cardiovascular system. There is not a right or left fin.

Fins come in 2 lengths, short fins and long fins, with each fin model creating a different type of training.

Long fins are great for beginners, as the long blade rewards the swimmer with easy forward propulsion and raises the hips to the surface.

The short fins allow your legs to kick fast. By reducing the length of the blade and positioning it at the correct angle, the legs and feet mimic a natural swimming kick. Many swimmers can actually swim faster with shorter fins.

Short blade fins are generally used in the pool, both when practicing a complete swim stroke or when training with a pull buoy.

But if you are out for a leisure swim, then long fins will probably be your preference.