When buying a suit for competitive or serious swimming, the most important thing to remember is fit. Because you'll be spending a considerable amount of time in your suit, you want to make sure you'll be able to move comfortably without hindering your movement through the water. Here is what you should look for to achieve a good, comfortable fit.
The suit should like perfectly flat against your torso making sure there are no puckering or pulling at the seams. Also be sure there is no pulling from the straps or openings. A suit that has a higher spandex content will allow for a flat fit. You are looking for a snug fit that will accommodate a good range of body motion, but not a fit that is too tight.
Make sure you can stretch your body out without any stretching from the leg or neck openings.
The next thing you'll want to look for is how the leg openings fit. Make sure the elastic in the openings do not dig into your legs or pucker. Move to a larger size if the leg openings are too tight.
Check the back for adequate coverage. If the suit does not provide enough coverage you may want to try a larger size or perhaps a different style.
How do the shoulder straps look and feel on your shoulders? Make sure they do not dig into the skin. A suit with wider straps may work better for you than a narrow one. Rotate your shoulders to determine if the straps will remain comfortable and in place in all arm positions. You want straps that are not too loose which can slow you down if they don't stay securely on your shoulders as you swim.
When fitting the suit to the chest and bust area you are looking for one that will provide you with sufficient coverage. Lift your arms in front of a mirror to determine if the suit is adequate. Make sure the suit provides ample support without completely flattening the breasts.
If you are a serious swimmer and have considered purchasing a full body suit, be aware these suits can be quite pricey because of all the additional fabric used in making them. They can be great for shaving off fractions of seconds, but are probably not necessary if you are merely swimming for fitness purposes. These suits should fit snuggly against all parts of the body, but not so tight that they are uncomfortable, painful, or cuts off circulation.
Now that you've got the tools for correctly fitting competition suit, you are ready to go out and purchase a suit that you feel confident in!
Mark Washburn is a freelance writer with experience on fitting one piece swimsuits and other swim related topics.
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