Speedo or trunks?

x27haz11 · February 3rd, 2006, 02:37 AM

I was wondering, if a person wanted to start swimming just for exercise, should he wear a speedo or trunks. Speedo obviously has beter ergonomics, but it also attracts the attention and ridicule of others whether you're skinny, buff, or fat. Frankly, I feel stupid when I try to swim fast in trunks, but I feel even stupider when I walk around in a speedo. Which is the better choice?

**mavgrad99** · February 3rd, 2006, 03:24 AM

try naked... no, IM KIDDING... don't want you to get thrown out of the gym or anything, try the next best thing, and what I have found to be very effective... jammer's, all the coverage of trunks with the speed in the water. works for me and I am a six pack short if you know what Im saying.

**Mean Machine** · February 3rd, 2006, 04:01 AM

LOL i think its whatever you feel comfortable in to be honest. Shorts can be a little restrictive and uncomfortable and in my opinion are strictly for the posers who wanna look good as they swagger to the pool in a real hip and cool "look at me sorta way" as i often see at my gym lol, speedos are my favourite and i find are generally worn by older blokes who dont give a shit what they look like and dont run there lives worrying about what people think - often seen as "uncool" by the youngsters.
I love speedos, it freaks out my 15 year old stepdaughter, the number of times ive embarrassed her on the beach or pool side on holidays is Priceless

jcs777 · February 3rd, 2006, 08:47 AM

Yo x27, glad to see another swimmer being recruited. If you've thought it over, and still can't make up you mind, I recommend a compromise. When I was swimming in college we wore our speedos or jammers at meets, but for practice you want a little more drag. Mean Machine is right in that, full shorts are too restrictive, but you can strike a balance betwixt modesty and functionality. I give you, "squares", or practice suits:
http://www.kiefer.com/Kiefer/product...2DB3FE32B993A6
http://www.kiefer.com/Kiefer/product...2DB3FE32B993A6
Those are a couple examples- there's more to be found, for sure.
I just recommend these suits because:
A) while wearing them you don't look like a grape smuggler
B) they aren't a pricey as a jammer
C) they are remarkably comfortable
NOTE: They do not, however, have liners, so I would wear a speedo underneath, unless you're a voyeurist.

Happy swimming.

swimmerfan · February 3rd, 2006, 10:22 AM

Racing trunks all the way--Speedo is just one of many brand names--Try triathlon trunks, they tend to be a wider cut but still form fitting for good hydrodynamics. Finally, who cares what people think. You're there to train. Go for it and swim hard.

**FitnessPhotos** · February 3rd, 2006, 10:42 AM

I've been wearing these Nike trunks that I like, but then again I can't swim well enough to sport a speedo and get away with it. lol

**engr** · February 3rd, 2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcs777

Yo x27, glad to see another swimmer being recruited. If you've thought it over, and still can't make up you mind, I recommend a compromise. When I was swimming in college we wore our speedos or jammers at meets, but for practice you want a little more drag. Mean Machine is right in that, full shorts are too restrictive, but you can strike a balance betwixt modesty and functionality. I give you, "squares", or practice suits:
http://www.kiefer.com/Kiefer/product...2DB3FE32B993A6
http://www.kiefer.com/Kiefer/product...2DB3FE32B993A6
Those are a couple examples- there's more to be found, for sure.
I just recommend these suits because:
A) while wearing them you don't look like a grape smuggler
B) they aren't a pricey as a jammer
C) they are remarkably comfortable
NOTE: They do not, however, have liners, so I would wear a speedo underneath, unless you're a voyeurist.

Happy swimming.

Jey JCS, do you have to make faces like this

if you wear squares???

Anywho, I agree that is a good solution, but have to say that personally I prefer jammers. Just never could get comfortable with the speedo thing.

**aircru** · February 3rd, 2006, 01:08 PM

I swim to help increase my stamina, not so much for speed. The number of laps is always a goal in my mind when I hit the water, and I find the longer the truncks, the harder to attain that goal, so it really requires my maximum energy, focus and effort.
If you are racing against a closk, I guess less is better.....
but I also look/feel very silly in a little bathing suit...

**ppsuprise** · February 3rd, 2006, 01:32 PM

well i wanted to get some speedos for tanning not for swimming cause i hate trying to tan in a shorts trunks, but i dont wanna get dirty looks. my wife wants me in them so maybe ill try them out. im not to worryed bout it i geuss, i got a good build and i keep shaved and clean so i dont look liek a complete idiot. but for advice towards swimmers i say go with what is comtable and helps your perfomance in the end.

**FitnessPhotos** · February 3rd, 2006, 01:48 PM

My bad, they aren't Nike, they are Speedo's, but not briefs.

mr-bull · February 3rd, 2006, 02:26 PM

it all depends on what your swimming for really, generally id go for whatever your comfortable in. I used to swim for my country, and theres nothing worse than being as skinny as i am standing on a podeum between to built blokes in nothing more than a tiny pair of speedos with your countrys flag on your ass!!

But a little tip if your training is to put on 2 - 3 pairs of shorts while you train. The extra resistance while you swim will eventually help your overall speed in sprinting.

When you come to raceing or timing yourself put on the speedos and you'll notice the difference as your body used to swimming with more drag!!!

**mudrock** · February 5th, 2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr-bull

it all depends on what your swimming for really, generally id go for whatever your comfortable in. I used to swim for my country, and theres nothing worse than being as skinny as i am standing on a podeum between to built blokes in nothing more than a tiny pair of speedos with your countrys flag on your ass!!

But a little tip if your training is to put on 2 - 3 pairs of shorts while you train. The extra resistance while you swim will eventually help your overall speed in sprinting.

When you come to raceing or timing yourself put on the speedos and you'll notice the difference as your body used to swimming with more drag!!!

Mr. Bull

Keep in mind that if you wear too much resistance, your body position will change (hips too high, head too low) and may result in a training injury, or bad body position habits.

sugar bearr · February 5th, 2006, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x27haz11

I was wondering, if a person wanted to start swimming just for exercise, should he wear a speedo or trunks. Speedo obviously has beter ergonomics, but it also attracts the attention and ridicule of others whether you're skinny, buff, or fat. Frankly, I feel stupid when I try to swim fast in trunks, but I feel even stupider when I walk around in a speedo. Which is the better choice?

Well if its just for exercise and not for competition stick with the trunks, or find a better pair with less drag. Or do like the professionals and get the suit.

thecameraguy99 · February 6th, 2006, 12:48 AM

The triathlon ones are a bit wider in the leg area and aren't as bad as a the typical speedo suits. Besides if you are training that's the whole point - to simulate race conditions or to minimize drag in the water. I wear my tri-swim suit in the indoor pool where I train and at triathlon races. When I'm at the beach I'm in regular, longish surf shorts.

jcs777 · February 6th, 2006, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engr

Jey JCS, do you have to make faces like this

if you wear squares???

Anywho, I agree that is a good solution, but have to say that personally I prefer jammers. Just never could get comfortable with the speedo thing.

Hey engr- that's actually me. so thanks a lot for making fun of my "blue steel" look.
Coincidentally, you DO have to make faces like that if the speedo underneath is too tight. You also sing a couple octaves higher...

Chansey · February 12th, 2006, 01:43 PM

I prefer jammers as well. Speedos are only for competition imho

Wayne_W · March 2nd, 2006, 04:13 PM

I vote for brief-style or jammers. For me wearing baggy trunks is life-threatening. I risk drowning because of the increased drag. Just kidding.
If you're interested, I made a list of on-line suppliers of swimwear. Actually, it is a list of men's swimwear suppliers. I just made a list for myself and then decided i might as well post it. It is here: http://www40.brinkster.com/waynewatson/swim.htm

It lists suppliers of all kinds of men's swimwear. Many of them also sell women's swimwear.

dabozo · March 2nd, 2006, 04:58 PM

I'd go with the jammers. I'm a longtime surfer who grew up in boardshorts, and the jammer suit is just what the doc ordered. As much as you'd like to wear trunks, they interfere too much on certain frog-kick strokes, and will drive you nuts with rubbing if you're not careful.

Just get the jammers and call it a day. But not those crazy racing versions with the funky graphics. Solid black or blue...and yer good to go.

**flints41** · March 2nd, 2006, 05:12 PM

Jammers are the way to go. You can find other ways to work different parts of your body or increase resistance.

kkk1234 · March 9th, 2006, 10:36 AM

Is it only in the States that people redicule guys in speedos?