For swimming enthusiasts, professional athletes, or the head of purchasing for a campus swimming team, a suitable competition swimsuit is by no means an ordinary piece of equipment that can be worn. It is a “speed suit” that combines fluid mechanics, materials science and the rules of the event. If you choose the right one, you can improve the score by another 0.1 seconds; if you choose the wrong one, you may not even be able to go up to the field. Today we will explain the doorway of competition swimwear from core technology to procurement.
1. The “black technology” of competition swimsuits: what makes it faster than ordinary swimsuits?
Ordinary swimsuits pursue comfort, while the core of competition swimsuits is “anti-water resistance” and “boosting”, which is all backed by the technical support. For example, compressed fabrics can tightly wrap muscles and reduce vibration loss during exercise, I have seen breaststrokers in the provincial team say that after wearing the right compression swimsuit, the efficiency of kicking the legs is significantly improved; The surface hydrophobic coating is like coating the swimsuit with an “anti-stick water film”, allowing the water to pass through quickly and reduce the dragging feeling.
These technologies are not isolated, ultrasonic welding seams replace traditional needle and thread, avoiding the raised water resistance caused by the stitches; The three-dimensional cutting competitive version is based on ergonomics, and the key parts such as shoulders, neck, waist and abdomen are streamlined. It is worth mentioning that these technologies must pass FINA certification technology to be compliant, such as the content of spandex high elastic yarn and the elastic modulus of fabrics, there are strict standards.
2. Unavoidable event rules: What is FINA certification?
After FINA revised the swimsuit regulations in 2010, the “high-tech swimsuit chaos” was put to an end, and now if you want to participate in the Olympic Games and World Championships, swimsuits must pass the “certification level”. For example, some people bought swimsuits known as “speed swimming artifacts” online, and were banned due to excessive proportions of non-textile fabrics during the pre-game inspection, directly missing the opportunity to compete.
We have compiled the core rules into a clear table to help you quickly avoid pitfalls:
Rule categories | Core requirements | Consequences of violations |
|---|---|---|
Certification requirements | It must be in the FINA compliant swimwear list with a unique certification logo | Disqualification |
Material restrictions | The proportion of non-textiles is ≤ 50%, and thickening materials such as neoprene are prohibited | The results are invalid |
Size specifications | Coverage does not exceed the navel to the shoulders, and the men’s model does not exceed the knees | No appearance |
Remember, be sure to check the list of compliant swimwear on the FINA official website before the game, and don’t let “non-compliance” ruin your preparation.
3. How to choose top brands? The flagship series has its own specialization
There are many competition swimwear brands on the market, but there are only a few at the professional level, and their flagship series have their own focus, suitable for athletes in different sports. For example, Speedo Fastskin is the “trump card” of short-distance sprints, which many freestyle swimmers love to use; The Arena Powerskin is more compressive and suitable for long-distance enduro racing.
The coaches of the municipal swimming team I have come into contact with shared that when they match swimsuits to the team members, they will assign them according to the project: Nike HyperElite for 50 meters in the short pool, with extremely low water resistance; Choose Mizuno Sonic for a long distance of 1500 meters, and the fabric is breathable and not easy to get tired. If you’re a novice, the TYR Venzo offers better value for money and is the first choice for entry-level competitive models.
4. Size is more important than brand: How to wear a compression swimsuit to fit?
The “fit” of competition swimsuits is completely different from ordinary clothes, not “comfortable”, but to achieve the effect of “secondary fit”. Many people feel tight when they wear it for the first time, which is normal – a finger can be inserted into the shoulder and does not slip off when raising the hand, which is the appropriate shoulder tightness standard.
The correct size selection steps are:
- Accurate measurement: use a soft ruler to measure the hip circumference and waist circumference, men’s models additionally measure the length of the crotch, and women’s models pay attention to breast shape data;
- Compare size chart: There are differences in sizes of different brands, such as Speedo is narrow, Arena is loose, and the size chart of competitive swimsuits of specific brands shall prevail;
- Try-on tips: Pull up from the ankle when wearing to avoid twisting the fabric, and do 5 strokes after wearing to see if there are any local folds or looseness.
Young players should pay special attention not to buy too big “long bodies”, ill-fitting swimsuits will increase water resistance, but affect technical improvement.
5. Fabrics determine performance: these innovative materials should be known
Fabrics are the “soul” of competition swimsuits, and now mainstream innovative materials have their own advantages. Carbon fiber fabric enhances muscle support and is suitable for strength athletes; Xtra Life Lycra is super chlorine resistant and can be worn for more than half a year for training, which is 3 times longer than ordinary fabrics.
There are also some black technology fabrics worth paying attention to, such as bioceramic printing, which can promote blood circulation and reduce lactic acid accumulation; Lightweight mesh fabric is breathable and sweat-wicking in areas such as the armpits to avoid long-term wear. When purchasing, you can choose according to the scenario: chlorine-resistant fabrics are prioritized for training, and materials with low longitudinal resistance coefficient are focused on for competitions.
6. Gender and style: Don’t let style drag down your grades
The design differences between men’s and women’s competition swimsuits are based on different body structures and sports characteristics. Women’s models are mainly one-piece competition swimsuits, and the width of the shoulder straps and the breast pad fixation system are key – wide straps are suitable for freestyle and reduce shoulder friction; The narrow straps are suitable for butterfly swimming and are more flexible.
The men’s model is divided into knee-length swimming trunks and short models, short pool competitions to reduce water resistance, and open water knee-length to prevent scratches. The back design is also exquisite, the open back design is suitable for players with good flexibility, and the closed back support can help novices stabilize the stroke.
7. Scene subdivision: Swimsuits for training and competition are different
Many people use competition swimsuits to practice physical fitness, which is a big mistake! The compression fabric of the competition swimsuit is a “one-time reinforcement” that quickly loses elasticity with repeated use. The correct approach is “scene separation”:
- Daily training: Choose competitive models for training, focusing on durability and comfort, such as Speedo’s training series;
- Warm-up before the game: wear a warm-up swimsuit before the game, maintain muscle temperature, and the material should be breathable and easy to take off;
- Main competition: use flagship models, such as the main sprint swimsuit, designed for short-term bursts;
- Relay race: Prepare 2 pieces and use them in rotation to maintain the elasticity of the fabric.
8. Proper maintenance: make the “speed robe” more durable
A high-end competition swimsuit costs thousands of yuan, which is ensuring that the maintenance can be extended by twice the life. The core principle is “chlorine-proof, light-proof, and gentle washing”. Specific steps:
- Rinse immediately after the game: rinse off the chlorine with cold water, do not use hot water, it will destroy the elasticity of the fabric;
- Pre-immersion treatment: soak in cold water with neutral detergent for 15 minutes, do not rub;
- Drying skills: lay it flat in the shade, do not expose it to the sun, and do not use a dryer;
- Contraindications: Do not use fabric softener and bleach, and use a towel to absorb water when dehydrating, do not wring it out.
9. Procurement and customization: a money-saving way for team procurement
When purchasing from schools or clubs, custom logos and names are just needed. As a purchasing consultant, I share a few tips: first, find a brand authorized distributor to ensure FINA certification; Secondly, the MOQ of group purchase custom LOGO is generally 10 pieces, and the more it is, the lower the unit price; Finally, reserve the delivery schedule plan, customized models usually take 2-3 weeks.
The group buying case of the national team is very informative, and they will unify the color palette in the selection of printing color cards, while reserving 10% of the spare size to deal with temporary substitutions. When purchasing cross-border, check the tariff code in advance to avoid delays in customs clearance.
10. Market trends: Which swimsuit to buy now?
At present, there are two obvious trends in the competition swimwear market: one is the trend of environmental protection and recyclability, and many brands have launched swimsuits made of recycled nylon; The second is the acceleration of domestic substitution, such as Li Ning’s competition series, which is 30% more cost-effective than imported brands and has also passed FINA certification.
In terms of price, the entry-level model is 300-500 yuan, the professional model is 800-1500 yuan, and the flagship model is more than 2000 yuan. If you have a limited budget, second-hand competition swimsuits or rental models are also good choices for student parties.
Purchasing consultant Yigu’s point of view
As a Sourcing Agent who is deeply involved in sports equipment procurement, I suggest that team procurement give priority to the principle of “certification + adaptation”, don’t blindly chase imported big brands, and domestic compliant models are more cost-effective. When purchasing personally, first clarify your own needs: novices should not buy the top model, the training model is sufficient; Professional players should try on different brands, because the difference in fit will directly affect the performance. In addition, pay attention to the update of the rules of the event, FINA will adjust the compliance list every year, and check the official website before purchasing to avoid spending unjust money.
FAQ FAQs
Q1: Is a FINA certified swimsuit necessarily faster than a regular swimsuit? A: Yes. The fabric and fit of the certified swimsuit have been tested by hydromechanics, and the data shows that it can reduce water resistance by 10%-15%, which ordinary swimsuits cannot meet this standard.
Q2: How long can a competition swimsuit last? A: It is recommended to use the competition model 5-8 times, and the training model can be worn for 3-6 months if it is used 3 times a week, and proper maintenance can extend the life.
Q3: How do junior players choose their size? A: Choose according to your current height and weight, and don’t buy a larger size. Teenagers grow fast, so it is recommended to change the size every 3-6 months to avoid a bad fit affecting training.
Q4: Are there any special requirements for competition swimwear in open water? A: UV protection fabric is required, and the color is recommended to be bright, which is convenient for rescue identification, and it must comply with FINA’s size specifications.