A swim kickboard is a buoyant, rectangular-shaped foam or plastic device that swimmers use to provide support and increase buoyancy while doing kicking drills and other leg-focused exercises in the water. It is typically held out in front of the body with the arms resting on top of the board, allowing the swimmer to focus solely on the lower body and leg movements. Using a kickboard during swimming workouts can help improve leg strength, endurance, and kicking technique, making it a valuable tool for swimmers of all skill levels.
Why need to use Swim Kickboard?
Using a swimming kickboard during swimming workouts offers a number of benefits for swimmers. Firstly, it provides buoyancy and support for the upper body, allowing the swimmer to focus solely on the lower body and leg movements. This can help to develop leg strength and endurance, as well as improve kicking technique and body positioning in the water. Additionally, kickboard drills can be a great way to isolate and target specific muscle groups in the legs, which can be particularly beneficial for triathletes or other endurance athletes looking to build overall strength and power. Finally, using a kickboard can help to break up the monotony of traditional swimming workouts and add some variety and challenge to your training routine.
Types of Swim Kickboard-
There are several types of swim kickboards available, each with its own unique features and benefits. Some common types of swim kickboards include:
Foam Kickboards – These are the most common type of swim kickboards and are typically made from lightweight foam. They offer good buoyancy and support, making them ideal for beginners and those working on their kicking technique.
Padded Kickboards – These kickboards have a layer of padding on the top for added comfort and grip. They are ideal for longer training sessions and can help reduce hand fatigue.
Pull Buoy/Kickboard Combo – This is a two-in-one training tool that combines a kickboard and a pull buoy. It can be used as a kickboard or flipped over to use as a pull buoy, making it a versatile training tool.
Hydrodynamic Kickboards – These kickboards are designed to be more streamlined and offer less resistance in the water. They are ideal for swimmers looking to improve their kicking speed and power.
Ankle Kickboards – These kickboards strap around the ankles, forcing the swimmer to use only their legs for propulsion. They are ideal for building leg strength and power.
The benefit of using Swim Kickboard-
Using a swimming kickboard offers several benefits for swimmers, including:
Improved Leg Strength: Using a kickboard can help swimmers to develop stronger leg muscles, which is essential for faster and more efficient swimming.
Better Body Positioning: By using a kickboard, swimmers can focus solely on their leg movements, which can help to improve body positioning and balance in the water.
Increased Endurance: Kicking with a kickboard can be a great way to build endurance in the legs, which can be particularly beneficial for triathletes and other endurance athletes.
Improved Kicking Technique: Kicking with a kickboard can help swimmers to improve their kicking technique, ensuring that they are using the correct form and maximizing their propulsion in the water.
Variety in Training: Using a kickboard can help to add variety to traditional swimming workouts, making them more interesting and challenging.
Rehabilitation: For injured swimmers, using a kickboard can be an effective way to continue training while avoiding the use of the arms, which may be affected by the injury.
How to choose a Swim Kickboard?
When choosing a swimming kickboard, there are a few factors to consider:
Buoyancy: Look for a kickboard that provides enough buoyancy to support your upper body and keep you afloat while you focus on your kicking. Foam kickboards are typically the most buoyant.
Size and Shape: Kickboards come in different sizes and shapes, so choose one that feels comfortable to hold and fits your body. A smaller kickboard may be easier to handle for those with smaller hands, while a larger kickboard may offer more support for the upper body.
Material: Kickboards can be made from foam, plastic, or other materials. Foam kickboards are lightweight and buoyant, while plastic kickboards are more durable and can be more hydrodynamic.
Purpose: Consider why you are using the kickboard. Are you looking to improve leg strength, endurance, or technique? Depending on your goals, you may want a kickboard with additional features, such as a padded top for comfort or a hydrodynamic shape for speed.
Budget: Kickboards can range in price from a few dollars to over $50. Consider your budget and how often you will be using the kickboard when making your selection.
Ultimately, the best way to choose a swimming kickboard is to try out a few different options and see which one feels the most comfortable and effective for your swimming goals.
How to use Swim Kickboard?
To use a swimming kickboard:
- Hold the kickboard with both hands, placing your arms on top of the board and extending your body out behind it.
- Begin kicking your legs in a steady, consistent motion. Your legs should be straight and close together, with your toes pointed and your ankles relaxed.
- Keep your head down and your face in the water, focusing on your leg movements and body positioning.
- To vary your workout, you can try different types of kicks, such as flutter kicks or breaststroke kicks, or add in drills like sculling or one-legged kicking.
- Start with shorter distances or intervals and gradually build up to longer workouts as your leg strength and endurance improve.
- Remember to take breaks and rest as needed, and be sure to stay hydrated throughout your workout.
Using a swimming kickboard is a great way to improve leg strength, endurance, and technique, and can be a valuable tool for swimmers of all levels.
What does swimming with a kickboard do?
Swimming with a kickboard can provide several benefits for swimmers, including:
Improved Leg Strength: Kicking with a kickboard can help to build leg strength, which is essential for faster and more efficient swimming.
Better Body Positioning: By using a kickboard, swimmers can focus solely on their leg movements, which can help to improve body positioning and balance in the water.
Increased Endurance: Kicking with a kickboard can be a great way to build endurance in the legs, which can be particularly beneficial for triathletes and other endurance athletes.
Improved Kicking Technique: Using a kickboard can help swimmers to improve their kicking technique, ensuring that they are using the correct form and maximizing their propulsion in the water.
Variety in Training: Swimming with a kickboard can help to add variety to traditional swimming workouts, making them more interesting and challenging.
Overall, using a kickboard can be a valuable tool for swimmers of all levels, helping to improve leg strength, endurance, and technique while adding variety to your training routine.
Is swimming with a kickboard good?
Yes, swimming with a kickboard can be very good for you. Kicking with a kickboard can help to develop leg strength and endurance, improve kicking technique and body positioning in the water, and add variety to your swimming workouts. Additionally, using a kickboard can be a low-impact way to exercise, making it a good option for people with joint pain or injuries. However, it’s important to note that while kicking with a kickboard is a great way to work your legs, it doesn’t provide a full-body workout like swimming with your arms as well. So while it’s a valuable tool for swimmers of all levels, it should be used in conjunction with other swimming exercises for a complete workout.
Do Olympic swimmers use kickboards?
Yes, Olympic swimmers do use kickboards as training tools. Kicking with a kickboard is a common exercise for swimmers of all levels, including elite athletes training for the Olympics. Kicking with a kickboard can help to develop leg strength, endurance, and technique, which are all essential for competitive swimming. While elite swimmers may use other training tools and exercises in addition to kicking with a kickboard, it is still a valuable component of their training regimen.
What is the difference between a kickboard and a bodyboard?
Although both a kickboard and a bodyboard are used in the water, there are several key differences between the two:
Purpose: A kickboard is primarily used as a training tool for swimmers to work on their leg strength, technique, and endurance. A bodyboard, on the other hand, is used for riding waves and is typically associated with the sport of bodyboarding.
Design: A kickboard is usually rectangular or oval-shaped and is designed to provide buoyancy and support for the upper body while kicking. A bodyboard is typically more crescent-shaped and has channels on the bottom to help riders steer and control the board in the water.
Size: Kickboards are generally smaller than bodyboards, as they are designed to be held in front of the body while kicking. Bodyboards are larger and wider, as they need to support the weight of the rider while riding waves.
Materials: Kickboards are typically made of foam or plastic, while bodyboards are usually made of foam and have a slick bottom layer for speed and control.
Overall, while both a kickboard and a bodyboard are used in the water, they have different purposes and designs and are used for different activities.
Are kickboards safe?
Yes, kickboards are generally considered safe when used properly. They are designed to provide buoyancy and support for the upper body while kicking, making them a helpful tool for swimmers of all levels. However, as with any exercise equipment, it’s important to use a kickboard safely and according to instructions. Here are some tips for using a kickboard safely:
- Choose the right size kickboard for your body. A board that is too small may not provide enough support, while a board that is too large may be difficult to control.
- Hold the kickboard with both hands and keep your arms extended on top of the board. This will help to provide stability and prevent the board from slipping.
- Keep your face in the water and focus on your leg movements and body positioning. Be aware of other swimmers around you and avoid kicking near their heads or bodies.
- Start with shorter distances or intervals and gradually build up to longer workouts as your leg strength and endurance improve.
- Always supervise children when they are using a kickboard, and make sure they understand how to use it safely.
By following these tips and using a kickboard properly, you can safely incorporate this tool into your swimming workouts and enjoy the benefits it provides.
Pros and Cons of swimming kickboards
Pros of Swimming Kickboards:
Improved leg strength: Kicking with a kickboard can help to build leg strength, which is essential for faster and more efficient swimming.
Better body positioning: Using a kickboard can help to improve body positioning and balance in the water by allowing you to focus solely on your leg movements.
Increased endurance: Kicking with a kickboard can be a great way to build endurance in the legs, which can be particularly beneficial for triathletes and other endurance athletes.
Improved kicking technique: A kickboard can help swimmers to improve their kicking technique, ensuring that they are using the correct form and maximizing their propulsion in the water.
Variety in training: Swimming with a kickboard can help to add variety to traditional swimming workouts, making them more interesting and challenging.
Cons of Swimming Kickboards:
Limited upper body workout: While kicking with a kickboard can provide a great lower body workout, it doesn’t provide the same level of upper body exercise as traditional swimming strokes.
Overuse injuries: Like any repetitive exercise, excessive use of kickboards can lead to overuse injuries such as tendonitis or stress fractures.
Reduced cardio workout: Because kicking with a kickboard tends to be less intense than traditional swimming strokes, it may not provide the same level of cardiovascular exercise.
Can promote poor body alignment: When used incorrectly, a kickboard can actually promote poor body alignment and posture in the water.
Not suitable for all swimmers: While kickboards can be a helpful tool for many swimmers, they may not be appropriate for those with certain injuries or medical conditions that affect their ability to kick or balance in the water.
Overall, swimming with a kickboard can provide many benefits, but it’s important to use it properly and in conjunction with other swimming exercises for a complete workout.
FAQs about Swimming Kickboards:
Here are some frequently asked questions about swimming kickboards:
What size kickboard should I use?
The size of your kickboard will depend on your body size and personal preference. As a general rule, a smaller board will provide a greater challenge and help to build strength, while a larger board will provide more support and stability.
How do I hold a kickboard?
Hold the kickboard with both hands on the sides, and rest your forearms and elbows on top of the board. Make sure your hands are positioned near the edge of the board for the best grip and control.
How do I use a kickboard?
Hold the kickboard in front of your body and kick with your legs while keeping your face in the water. Focus on maintaining proper form and technique, and try to kick continuously for a set amount of time or distance.
Can I use a kickboard if I can’t swim?
It is not recommended to use a kickboard if you cannot swim. Kickboards are designed to be used in conjunction with other swimming strokes and require a certain level of skill and experience to use safely.
Can I use a kickboard for rehab after an injury?
A kickboard may be appropriate for certain types of rehabilitation exercises, but it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional or physical therapist to determine if it’s safe and appropriate for your specific injury or condition.
Can I use a kickboard for open-water swimming?
While it’s possible to use a kickboard for open-water swimming, it’s not recommended as it can be difficult to control and may not provide adequate protection from the elements. A wetsuit or other specialized gear may be more appropriate for open-water swimming.
Swimming kickboards are a valuable tool for swimmers of all levels, offering benefits such as improved leg strength, body positioning, endurance, and kicking technique. While there are some potential drawbacks to using a kickboard, such as limited upper body workout and the risk of overuse injuries, these can be mitigated by using the tool properly and in conjunction with other swimming exercises. When used correctly, swimming kickboards can be a fun and effective way to enhance your swimming workouts and achieve your fitness goals.