#4

Best Kickboard for Swimming 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

I've been doing kick sets since age 8 in Hawaii, and a good kickboard has always been part of my training. Through two U.S. Olympic Trials, a FINA World Championships silver medal, and my current American Record in the 100 yard butterfly for ages 35–39, kick work has never left my training plan. The kickboard you use matters — proper buoyancy, the right shape, and comfortable grip keep your body in position so the kick work actually translates. The best kickboards are firm en

Competitive Swimwear

21 hours ago3 min read

Best Swim Paddles for Training 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

I've been using hand paddles since I started competitive swimming at age 8 in Hawaii. Through two U.S. Olympic Trials, a FINA World Championships silver medal, and my current American Record in the 100 yard butterfly for ages 35–39, paddles have been a staple of every quality training set. The right paddle builds pull strength, reinforces proper catch mechanics, and translates directly to faster race times. Choosing the right size and shape matters more than most swimmers rea

Competitive Swimwear

21 hours ago3 min read

Best Pull Buoy for Swimming 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

The pull buoy has been part of my training since I started competitive swimming at age 8 in Hawaii. Throughout my career — competing at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, winning a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Championships, and setting the American Record in the 100 yard butterfly for ages 35–39 — I've logged tens of thousands of yards with a pull buoy between my legs. I know every subtle difference between a great one and an average one. The best pull buoys eleva

Competitive Swimwear

21 hours ago3 min read

Best Swim Fins for Adults 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

I've been using swim fins since I was a kid competing in Hawaii, and they've been a staple of my training ever since. I competed at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, won a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Championships, and currently hold the American Record in the 100 yard butterfly for ages 35–39. Swim fins have logged thousands of yards alongside me in the pool — I know exactly what separates the great ones from the mediocre. The best swim fins for adults need the

Competitive Swimwear

21 hours ago3 min read

Best Waterproof Earbuds for Swimming 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

I've been competing in swimming since I was 8 years old, and over a career that includes the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Championships in the 4x100 Medley Relay, and an American Record in the 100 yard butterfly for ages 35–39, music has been part of my training routine for decades. The right waterproof earbuds can make a long yardage set feel shorter, keep you locked in during dryland work, and survive the daily abuse of pool water

Competitive Swimwear

21 hours ago3 min read

Best Swim Bags 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

I've been competing in swimming since I was 8 years old, and over a career that includes the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Championships in the 4x100 Medley Relay, and an American Record in the 100 yard butterfly for ages 35–39, I've packed and unpacked a swim bag thousands of times. The right bag keeps your wet gear separated, fits everything you need for a full practice, and holds up through years of pool deck abuse. I've tested ba

Competitive Swimwear

22 hours ago3 min read

Best Swim Watches for Training 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

I've been competing in swimming since I was 8 years old, and tracking my training data has been a critical part of my development at every level. I competed at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, won a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Championships in the 4x100 Medley Relay, and currently hold the American Record in the 100 yard butterfly for ages 35–39. Throughout my career and into my Masters swimming years, I've used swim watches and GPS training tools to monitor my

Competitive Swimwear

22 hours ago3 min read

Best Kickboards for Swimming 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

Kickboards are one of the most-used tools in competitive swim training, and for good reason — they isolate your kick, let you focus on technique without worrying about your arms, and build leg endurance over long sets. I've been competing since age 8, raced at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, won a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Championships in the 4x100 medley relay, and currently hold the American Record in the 100 yard butterfly for ages 35–39. Kickboards have

Competitive Swimwear

22 hours ago3 min read

Best Swim Fins for Training 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

Swim fins are one of the most versatile training tools in the pool. They add propulsion that lets you focus on stroke mechanics at higher speeds, overload your legs for strength and endurance, and help isolate your kick for technique work. The right pair can transform a training session — the wrong pair will leave your ankles wrecked and your hips sinking. I've been competing since age 8, raced at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, won a silver medal at the 2008 FINA Worl

Competitive Swimwear

22 hours ago4 min read

Best Pull Buoys for Swimming 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

A pull buoy is one of the most fundamental training tools in competitive swimming. By elevating your hips and removing the kick, it isolates your upper body and forces you to focus entirely on your pull, catch, and rotation. Whether you're working on stroke mechanics, building arm strength, or simply logging high-volume yardage, a quality pull buoy belongs in every swimmer's bag. I've been competing since age 8, raced at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, won a silver med

Competitive Swimwear

22 hours ago4 min read

Best Swim Snorkels for Training 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

A swim snorkel is one of the most underrated training tools in competitive swimming. By eliminating the need to rotate for air, a snorkel lets you focus entirely on stroke mechanics, body position, and underwater technique. Whether you're drilling butterfly, working on freestyle catch, or training your kick, a snorkel removes the breathing variable so you can isolate exactly what you're trying to fix. I've been competitive swimming since age 8, raced at the 2008 and 2012 U.S.

Competitive Swimwear

23 hours ago3 min read

Best Hand Paddles for Swimming 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

Hand paddles are one of the most effective tools for building upper-body pulling strength in the water. They increase resistance on every stroke, force better catch mechanics, and accelerate power development faster than unassisted swimming. But choosing the wrong size or shape can reinforce bad habits or even cause shoulder strain. I've been competitive swimming since age 8, raced at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, earned a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Champion

Competitive Swimwear

23 hours ago3 min read

Best Waterproof Headphones for Swimming 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

Music in the pool is a game-changer for training motivation — the right playlist can push you through hard sets and keep your mind focused during long aerobic work. But not all swimming headphones are built equal. Waterproofing standards, bone conduction versus in-ear design, battery life, and audio quality vary dramatically between models. I've been competitive swimming since age 8, raced at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, earned a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World

Competitive Swimwear

23 hours ago3 min read

Best Swim Caps for Training 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

A swim cap is one of the most underrated pieces of training equipment in the pool. The right cap keeps your hair out of your face, reduces drag, and holds up through thousands of yards of hard use. But not all caps are built the same — silicone, latex, and polyester caps each perform differently depending on your hair type, training environment, and personal preference. I've been competitive swimming since age 8, raced at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, earned a silver

Competitive Swimwear

23 hours ago3 min read

Best Swim Fins for Training 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

Swim fins are one of the most effective training tools in the water. They help you develop ankle flexibility, increase your kick power, and allow you to hold a faster pace so you can focus on stroke mechanics at race speed. But fins are not one-size-fits-all — short blade fins, long blade fins, and monofins all serve different purposes, and the wrong choice can build bad habits or put unnecessary stress on your joints. I’ve been competitive swimming since age 8, raced at the

Competitive Swimwear

23 hours ago3 min read

Best Kickboards for Training 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

Kickboards are a staple of every serious swim training program. Done right, kick sets build leg strength, improve ankle flexibility, reinforce body rotation, and give your arms a chance to rest between pulling sets. But the wrong kickboard — one that's too buoyant, too stiff, or the wrong size — can cause neck strain and actually reinforce bad habits. I've been competitive swimming since age 8, raced at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, earned a silver medal at the 2008

Competitive Swimwear

24 hours ago3 min read

Best Swim Bags for 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

A swim bag is more than just a way to carry your gear — it's the command center for your training life. You need enough room for two-a-days, pockets that keep your wet suit separated from your dry clothes, and construction that holds up through years of chlorine exposure and pool deck abuse. I've been competitive swimming since age 8, raced at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, earned a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Championships in the 4x100 medley relay, and curre

Competitive Swimwear

24 hours ago3 min read

Best Pull Buoys for Training 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

Pull buoys are one of the most underrated tools in a competitive swimmer's bag. By eliminating the kick and isolating your upper body, a pull buoy forces you to develop a stronger catch, a better high-elbow pull, and more efficient body rotation. I've been competitive swimming since age 8, raced at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, earned a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Championships in the 4x100 medley relay, and currently hold the American Record in the 100 yard

Competitive Swimwear

24 hours ago3 min read

Best Swim Parkas for 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

A swim parka is one of those pieces of gear that separates serious competitive swimmers from casual lap swimmers. When you’re standing on deck at 5:30 a.m. in a cold natatorium, or waiting between races at an outdoor meet with wet hair and damp skin, a quality parka is essential. I’ve been competitive swimming since age 8, raced at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, earned a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Championships in the 4x100 medley relay, and currently hold th

Competitive Swimwear

1 day ago3 min read

Best Hand Paddles for Training 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

Hand paddles are one of the most effective tools for building pulling power, refining catch technique, and developing the high-elbow underwater stroke that separates elite swimmers from the field. I've been competitive swimming since age 8, raced at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, earned a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Championships in the 4x100 medley relay, and currently hold the American Record in the 100 yard butterfly for ages 35–39. Paddles have been a stap

Competitive Swimwear

1 day ago3 min read