Choosing a Suit for Water Exercise

Summer has arrived, and with it, the opportunity to exercise outdoors in a lake or pool. Here are some tips for selecting a suit that will deliver when you want to do more than just sunbathe. Your swim suit needs to be durable, supportive, and provide adequate coverage during activity. Prepare now by getting a suit that is “suited” for this purpose!

The swim suit to wear while exercising in the water should have different features than what I call a “social” swim suit – one you would wear to a pool party or while relaxing at the beach. Here are a few tips, based on my 25 years of teaching water exercise and seeing many designs of suits worn by class participants.

First of all, forget about a two-piece (unless it is a tankini). A one-piece will be much more comfortable and you can count on it to stay with you at all times.

The idea is for your suit to be part of you as you jump, kick, ski, and change directions in the water. This means a higher-cut bodice that lies close to your sternum. Choose a suit with enough bust support for your build. (There are designs that accommodate a mastectomy.) And no skinny straps! The straps need to be wider (at least an inch wide) to hold your suit up. Look for a conservative leg cut, since there will be a lot of leg action!

Fabric is an important consideration and it is well worth the investment to get a suit that is chlorine resistant. (Chlorine-resistant suits are significantly higher in price.) Some companies, such as H2OWear, have a one-year guarantee. (But check the restrictions on this, as the guarantee is void if you wear the suit in a hot tub.) I have had chlorine-resistant suits last for years. A lined suit will also last longer.
The investment in a durable suit may be beyond your reach at this time. Wearing a leotard and a tee shirt may be an option. Check your pool rules, since some have restrictions on what can be worn in the water.

Be sure to rinse the suit very thoroughly afterward and you might want to add a few drops of chlorine-remover (available at aquarium shops) to the last rinse. Also, if possible, lay your suit flat to dry. I use a mesh sweater dryer for this.

This may sound like a description of a boring swim suit. But there are many designs that meet these qualifications in a wide array of fabric, prints and colors. Express your style in the color or print of your fabric. Or, wear some lively earrings or sunglasses, a colorful hat or headband, or carry a unique beach bag. I have seen some very put-together and eye-catching accessories!

More people are wearing waterproof shoes to protect their feet from rough pool bottoms or sharp rocks, shells, or litter at the shore. Shoes are particularly recommended for participants with diabetes. Footwear with secure lacing or other closure will stay on your feet better. These may be ordered from H2OWear, or Land’s End. Water shoes tend to be slippery at first, but you can rough up the soles with sand paper. Some people wear ordinary athletic shoes while exercising in the water.

Purchasing a swim suit and some foot wear may be your first step in preparing for water exercise. If you will be outdoors, remember to wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. And be sure to bring a water bottle and set it by the side of the pool so you can drink before, during, and immediately after your workout! See this week’s post featuring ways you can work out in the water!

Photo credits: localfitness.com.au