How do I choose a kickboard?
When picking out a swimming kickboard, there are several things to keep in mind. First, what size do you need? Kickboards usually come junior or adult sizes, but they are pretty much "one size fits all." Most kickboards are made of a buoyant foam and are typically not very expensive. These kickboards work fine and are the kind most people are familiar with, but they can cause shoulder pain with extended use. If this occurs, a swimmer can look for an "ergonomic" or "streamlined" kickboard. This style of kickboard are typically lighter and glide through the water easier. This allows them to put less strain on the swimmer's shoulders and be more comfortable for an extended amount of time. There are even inflatable kickboards that are nice if cargo space is limited, but they are not recommended if a normal kickboard can be used instead. At the end of the day, using a pool kickboard is really up to personal preference and any one labeled as "adult" should work fine. Adults and kids alike can really use a kickboard of the same size if needed. Buying one kickboard for the entire family or a couple for multiple people to share is sometimes a good idea if you don't have the room to lug around multiple kickboards every time you take the kids to the pool. Although, it is usually a better idea to go with an adult sized kickboard since children and adults will have an easier time sharing one of that size and the kids can even grow into it!
Are Kickboards good for swimming?
Many people probably have seen kids using a pool kickboard and thought they were just something meant for kids. Although kids or adults learning how to swim use them, anyone can benefit from a swimming kickboard. One crucial part of good swimming technique is keeping your legs and hips high in the water. This allows your body to be straighter and more in line. This is important for not only swimming speed, but also helps your body evenly use each muscle group to increase stamina and reduce the chance of injury of cramping. These things all make a swimming kickboard a great idea for anyone who is looking to swim intensively or for many hours each week.
Another benefit, that isn't quite as obvious, from a swimming kickboard is the ability to use one with a snorkel much easier. Using a pool kickboard with a snorkel, you can take multiple laps without ever having to come up for air. Knowing how to breathe is obviously important, but being able to swim your hardest in a workout without having to come up for air can be invaluable.
How much do Kickboards cost?
Typically, buying a swimming kickboard is not a very big financial setback. You can typically find a basic kickboard for around $15 for a basic one. Buying a cheap one is a great part to start to see how one works out for you. The ergonomic/streamlined swimming kickboards are a bit pricier at around $25. You can find some inflatable kickboards even cheaper, but the extremely cheap ones aren’t always the best. It’s usually a good idea to opt for an inflatable kickboard that isn’t quite the cheapest if that’s they style you are interested in. Most adult kickboards are durable and last many years so opting for the one you like the most is usually the best idea when buying one.
What muscles does swimming with kickboard work?
Swimming kickboards are a great way to focus on your leg, hip, and stomach muscles. This means that using a kickboard is great if you have a shoulder or upper body injury, you can still go for a swim! A kickboard is also great if you want to strengthen your leg muscles to improve your swimming speed or endurance. Swimming with a kickboard puts the biggest load on the swimmers quads and hamstrings which are both very large and strong muscles. This means they require a lot of work to strengthen. These muscles are also very important for walking and other basic tasks so anyone can benefit from strengthening them.
If you want to take your leg workout in the pool to the next level, you can hold the pool kickboard vertically and swim like that. This will create a lot more resistance and make your legs work much harder than if you held the kickboard horizontally or didn't use one at all. Being able to not only isolate these muscles, but also push them even hard, can help you squeeze a strenuous leg workout in at the pool even if you do not have much time to spare.