The is my chosen suit for competition, and is very popular with many of the top swimmers (often seen in top events, and worn extensively in the olympics).
The Aquablade range consists of the same material in a variety of different cuts. As with all competition suits, you find a style that suits you best, and matches your personal needs. While there is a full leg suit available as well as the high neck variety, i will focus on the olympic back suit.
This is most definetly a competition suit-you wouldnt really have any need to pay over 40.00 for a recreation costume-you are better off purchasing an endurance fabric suit which will last at least 3 times longer. If i remember rightly, these suits, as with many competition suits, are only designed to survive about 30hrs of chlorinated water swimming, so they are not a cheap option.
The fabric consists of vertical 'stripes' about 0.5cm wide. No, its not deckchair style colours-the fabric differs alternating across the 'stripes',all in the one colour. The idea behind the fabric is to channel the water along the 'stripes' while the body is gliding through the water (after dives and turns, and during the stroke itself). This is to reduce the 'drag' of the costume, and make you more streamlined in the water, and therefore achieve a faster time. (The psychological element also comes into play here).
The suit is high legged (just above the hip bone to allow freedom of movement-i find this especially useful in breastroke), and the olympic back style is the only style i will wear on a costume-the straps fit between the shoulder blades (again, for freedom of movement), and join a horizontal strap below the shoulderblade level. I,personally,find this style the most comfortable, since it is the least restricting. The suits are designed to be tight to the skin, so should be bought small, allowing for the give of the water-there is no point in buying one if these if it is baggy, as the fabric can have no effect.
The suit itself now comes in a range of colours-originally, there was just the bright blue and the black, but now there is a purpley colour and a navy blue, as well as blue and black suits with a design worked in to the fabric (these cost in excess of 55.00). Obviously the colour makes no difference to the speed, and is down to personal choice (bright blue, purple).
I find these suits very comfortable for competitions, and find they are a very flattering style. Although they appear expensive, this is what you can expect from a competition suit. Remember-these are not designed for recreational swimming, but if you have the money to spare, there is no harm in buying one.
Additional info:
-The suit is 80% polyester and 20% elastine -Should be swilled in clean water to remove chlorine straight after use to prolong the life of the suit
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