Essential swim gear for beginners

I’m training for my first Ironman.

There’s only one problem.

I’m a beginner swimmer.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m capable of not drowning. But I’ve never swam freestyle, which is the most common triathlon swim stroke.

Until now, that is.

I’m two months into my Ironman prep. Though I’m an avid runner and regular cyclist, swim training is completely new to me.

The first time I went to the pool, I swallowed a disgusting amount of water. I was exhausted after and left the pool feeling completely defeated.

What had I gotten myself into?

Determined to learn how to swim, I took to the internet.

I quickly realized I would need to invest in some gear to help develop my mechanics.

In this article, I will cover the gear I’ve been using to get started with swimming.

Thankfully, I’ve found it’s all been pretty affordable.

I can’t say the same for cycling, but that’s a story for a different day.

Essential Swim Gear for Beginners According to a Beginner

Let’s start with the bare minimum essential swim gear for beginners.

1. Swimsuit

First up is a swimsuit designed for the sport of swimming. 

That mean’s your bikini or board shorts are not going to cut it.

Unlike beach wear, sport swimsuits are designed to allow for function while minimizing drag in the pool.

For women, this typically means one-piece suits with necessary lining, flat seams, and more coverage and support. For men, this will mean less material that fits snuggly. 

A lot of guys go with the speedo cut, but if that’s too revealing, then I recommend jammers, which offer more coverage.

Both men and women can find performance suits for around $30 on Amazon. 

2. Swim Cap

The second essential swim gear for beginners is a swim cap.

Most pools require swimmers to wash their hair prior to entering the pool or wear a swim cap.

When you swim a lot, the chlorine can dry and damage your hair. Silicone or latex caps can help protect it. They will also keep any hair you shed from staying behind in the pool.

If you have long hair, get a slightly larger swim cap.

3. Goggles

This next piece of essential swim gear for beginners is a non-negotiable. I’m talking about goggles.

Whether you swim in the ocean, freshwater, or a pool, you need to be able to see where you’re going and what’s around you.

Your eyes will thank you. 

This next piece of gear has been a lifesaver for me.

4. Ear Plugs

After my first few swims, I would leave the pool, barely able to hear a thing. Every time I turned my head to breathe, water flooded my ear canal.

It would be days later when the water finally drained.

I finally invested in earplugs. I got three pairs for $7 from Amazon, and they have worked great.

I recommend letting them dry outside their container after your swim because they will hold water if you don’t.

It can be a little awkward removing them when other people at the pool try to talk to you. But for me, they’ve been worth every penny.

5. Kickboard

The next thing you’ll need is a kickboard.

A lot of pools will have these on hand.

I’ve been using the kickboard to develop my stroke and breathing. The kickboard keeps you level in the water, allowing you to practice each arm stroke deliberately while also allowing you to breathe.

I also like using the kickboard to work on my kick. I didn’t realize how ineffective my kick was until I isolated my legs.

6. Pull Buoy

The pull buoy is another piece of equipment that functions like the opposite of a kickboard.

You place the pull buoy between your thighs to keep your lower body afloat while focusing on your arms. This is a great way to develop proper stroke mechanics without worrying about your kick.

Swimming is a full-body activity in which the upper body, lower body, core, and head all have different jobs. Many swim tools will help isolate one of these areas to focus on the others.

7. Snorkel

The most essential and valuable piece of equipment for me has been the center-mounted snorkel.

Unlike a side-mounted snorkel you might use for snorkeling, the center-mount snorkel aligns with the nose between the eyes.

The center mount snorkel allows the swimmer to maintain a neutral head position so they can work on their stroke without having to worry about breathing.

A lot of swim instructors recommend starting with a swim snorkel to learn the stroke before incorporating the breathing.

The snorkel was the first item I purchased after swallowing half the pool during my first swim. After two months of using it to learn the stroke, I’m finally able to focus on my breathing.

8. Fins

My pair of fins is the other essential gear that has allowed me to work on my breathing.

Swim fins allow you to move through the water faster and more efficiently.

One of the most challenging parts of learning to breathe while swimming freestyle is the body sinking or dipping.

The fins allow you to move through the water quickly and without sinking as fast.

A word of caution: If you start your workout with fins, you will feel like you are crawling through the water at a snail’s pace when you take them off.

I like to start without fins and use the tools to work on my stroke and kick. Then, I put the fins on to work on my breathing. 

Doing it this way makes me feel like I’m flying through the water.

9. Swim Bag

The last item of essential swim gear for beginners is a swim bag.

As you’ve probably noticed, fins, goggles, caps, earplugs, a towel, and other equipment can be a lot to carry. 

A large mesh bag will make trips to the pool hassle-free and will keep your gear dry.

There’s plenty of other swim gear you can invest in down the road. A lot of swimmers like hand paddles, smartwatches, and tech suits, among other pool tools.

But these recommendations should be enough to get you started.

​If you’re just starting your swimming journey, know you’ll make little improvements with each swim session.

After weeks of training sessions, you’ll feel more confident in the water and be on your way to becoming a better swimmer. 

Essential Swim Gear for Beginners According to a Beginner Recap

Let’s do a quick recap of the essential swim gear for beginners.

1. Swim suit. A swimsuit designed for the sport of swimming. Show up at the swimming pool like a swimmer, not like you’re ready for a day at the beach.

2. Swim cap. Latex or silicone caps will keep your hair on your head and not in the pool.

3. Goggles. You don’t need anything fancy, just a pair that keeps the water out and your eyes dry.

4. Ear plugs. This is essential swimming gear if you get water stuck in your ears.

5. Kickboard. This will help you develop a strong kick or work on your stroke and breathing.

6. Pull Buoy. This is a great way to work on your arms without worrying about your lower body

7. Center-mounted snorkel. This is a great tool for learning the stroke without having to worry about breathing.

8. Fins. Fins are one of my favorite pieces of swimming equipment. They allow you to work on your stroke mechanics without sinking. Plus, you can go way faster in the water, and who doesn’t want that?

9. Swim bag. Swim bags are larger and usually have mesh for easy drying. 

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If you want to take your training to the next level but aren’t sure where to start or how to fit these strategies into your busy schedule, take a look at my coaching page. I’m an experienced strength and conditioning specialist with a background in endurance sports. I’d love to help you achieve your fitness goals.

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