During the summertime, one of the most favorite activities for both kids and adults to participate in is swimming. I see that a large group of swimmers, both amateurs and professionals, usually make use of leg float for swimming. Pull buoys are highly supportive when you swim.
Among swimming accessories, pull buoys are in the mid-budget range to spend. There are a variety of shapes and sizes for you to choose from, according to your personal needs and aims in achieving particular goals in this tempting watersport.
In case you have the intention to shop for a swimming buoy, it would be quite difficult to get the proper ones if you have zero previous experience in buying this product line. The good news is that I have covered a detailed analysis of the best pull buoys for swimmers on the market and user guidance.
Table of Contents
- What Are Pull Buoys?
- Are Pull Buoys Good or Bad?
- Quick Answer: The Best Pull Buoys for Swimmers
- Comparison Chart
- The 13 Best Pull Buoys for Swimmers Reviews
- Speedo Team Pull Buoy Training Aid
- Arena Freeflow Pull Buoy
- TYR Pull Float Buoy
- Crown Core Aquatic Fitness Pull Buoy
- Speedo Mix-A-Lot Pull Buoy
- TYR Sport Junior Float Pull Buoy
- FINIS Axis Pull Buoy
- FINIS Foam Pull Buoy
- Speedo Junior Team Pull Buoy
- TheraBand Webbed Pull Buoy
- Aqua Sphere Pull Buoy Swim Training Aid
- Swim Research Training Aid Pull Buoy
- VERISA Swim Training Float Pull Buoy
- Finding the Best Pull Buoy for Swimming
- Benefits of Training With Pull Buoys
- How to Use Pull Buoys?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Swim Network Overview
What Are Pull Buoys?
Pull buoys are known to be a specialized tool for swimming workouts like kickboards. They are mainly manufactured in the shape of a figure-eight waterproof foam. Two body parts that swimmers can place the buoy in between are their ankles and thighs. It is meant to train arms motion together with your upper body strength and general endurance while swimming.
Being optional does not make pull buoys less relevant to swimmers of all levels and skills. To start training properly underwater, you will need its help in correcting your position.
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Are Pull Buoys Good or Bad?
Whoever says that pull buoys are not good for your swimming skills, is trying to deceive you.
Swimming accessories such as goggles or life vests and buoys are not only essential. They will also deliver a lot of fine support to enable the best swimming workout for all levels of swimmers, no matter if you are in a serious competition training or learn it for entertainment.
In brief, you can trust me to clarify this question, since no pool float or any other swimming support items are the cause that leads you to perform worse underwater than before.
Quick Answer: The Best Pull Buoys for Swimmers
Pull buoys are not exactly the most crucial support item for swimmers. However, you can use them to help enhance your swimming skills in the long run since they are suitable for multiple ages. Here are some of the most helpful pull buoys to your advantage that I would like to present.
- Best Overall: Speedo Team Pull Buoy Training Aid
“Multiple color choices, scallop form, uplifts hips and legs for precise positioning.” - Best for Beginners: Arena Freeflow Pull Buoy
“High-quality material, incredibly lightweight, 3 kaleidoscopic colors.” - Best Budget: TYR Pull Float Buoy
“Budget-friendly, US flag pattern, ideal for multi-level swimmers.” - Best for Swimrun: Crown Core Aquatic Fitness Pull Buoy
“Versatile EVA foam, useful for tough training, enables long swimming time.” - Best for Open Water Swimming: Speedo Mix-A-Lot Pull Buoy
“Weighs above average, one adult size, unequal ends design for buoyancy.” - Best for Junior Swimmers: TYR Sport Junior Float Pull Buoy
“Specialized design, smaller specifications for kids, increases water resistance.” - Best for Training: FINIS Axis Pull Buoy
“Noticeable color, dual-function design, firmly grips onto legs and ankles.” - Best for Small Legs: FINIS Foam Pull Buoy
“Safe for skin, restrains unnecessary legs action, applicable with small legs.” - Best for 10-Year-Old: Speedo Junior Team Pull Buoy
“Kids’ version of the best overall, ultra-lightweight.” - Best for Post Shoulders Recovery: TheraBand Webbed Pull Buoy
“Cylinder shape, two pieces of floats, an assistant for swimming with shoulder injuries.”
Comparison Chart
Getting to know the quick introduction of effective pull buoys is only the tip of an iceberg. You obviously cannot rely on simple tag labels to understand their strengths and weaknesses to find a suitable pull buoy afterward. A comprehensive product review is what you require.
Simply because we cannot stand there and watch any customer spending money on the wrong product, kindly consult this minimalized comparison table of the mentioned pull buoys. You definitely should obtain an overall look at these favorable swimming gadgets beforehand.
The 13 Best Pull Buoys for Swimmers Reviews
It is an undeniable fact that using a pool float would enable a hassle-free swimming and accurate position underwater for swimmers of all ages and abilities. You can gain more advantages in swimming with pull buoys, which are indeed valuable compared to their price.
Let’s dive into the full product description as well as each of their pros and cons for your convenience.
Speedo Team Pull Buoy Training Aid
(Best Overall – Editor’s Choice)
Being a well-known swimwear brand, Speedo has designed and built the Speedo Team Pull Buoy Training Aid to be a wonderful reform of your wrong swimming position. The buoy has a scallop shape with one smaller end than the other.
By having this design, the buoy can help swimmers concentrate on their favorable stroke techniques. Whatever strokes that you are trying to improve will be corrected by the buoy because inappropriate positioning often results in difficult swimming.
New and amateur swimmers usually cannot control their lower bodies and have to strive harder to swim, which is more exhausting. To develop the most precise positioning underwater, the buoy becomes a great assistant in raising your hips and legs off of water pressure.
There are 3 color options including blue, black and lime. All of them are worth the same price. You can select the color you fancy to gain interest and excitement to grab the pull buoy and swim.
Pros
- It is great for positioning adjustment.
- It has the form of a scallop.
- It enables swimmers to improve stroke technique.
- It elevates legs and hip.
- It is sold in 3 colors.
Cons
- It only comes in one size.
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Arena Freeflow Pull Buoy
(Best for Beginners)
The buoy is built from a kind of material that differs from the regular EVA foam. Its brand Arena decided to combine 80% of polietilenic and 20% of polypropylene to create this buoy so it is worthy to try if this material is better.
The Arena Freeflow Pull Buoy is an 8-shape buoy at only 0.16 ounces. Being lightweight means it is an ideal swimming solution for beginners, who have no experience in shaping their own position and how to control their arm stroke.
It provides enough comfort and a high level of buoyancy at the same time for swimmers. A lot of pull buoys are effective during workouts, however, they are not really comfortable and that is a minus point.
The buoy is manufactured in France then imported into the USA. It is now on sale worldwide on multiple popular shopping platforms.
Pros
- It is made from mixed material.
- Lightweight.
- It suits amateur swimmers.
- It is comfortable.
- It is imported from France.
Cons
- It might be small for grownups.
TYR Pull Float Buoy
(Best Budget)
They created the second TYR pull buoy for flexible genders to use. It is a unisex float buoy so both women and men should benefit from it easily. Its general size options are built only for adult swimmers.
3 pattern choices are available for the buoy: blue/white, black/blue and US flag. Several of them are made directly in the USA whilst the others are imported from TYR manufacturers in China. The quality is equal.
The buoy applies to both professional and recreational users. Most of them find it extremely functional to support their swimming workouts. Above all, its price feels like a bargain at such large sizing and is multi-purpose.
It can isolate your legs and decrease negative kicking during swimming exercises. That way, you would be able to focus more on evolving correct arm stroke and positioning underwater. The sleek finish also prevents skin chafe while using it.
Pros
- It is unisex designed.
- It is a universal fit.
- It has 3 color selections.
- It generates precise arm stroke.
- The smooth texture reduces chafe.
Cons
- Its large dimension is a limitation to small adult legs.
Crown Core Aquatic Fitness Pull Buoy
(Best for Swimrun)
The buoy creates a competitive stroke and helps to master your technique better underwater. Stroking is essential in forming your swimming skills and level in general.
It allows your legs to rest rather than doing scissor kicking. This act lengthens your training time and will improve your ability soon with the Crown Core Aquatic Fitness Pull Buoy.
You are probably unaware of this but using the buoy supports you to control your breathing easier and longer. Quick breath and gasping are major disadvantages, which often prevent you from achieving sufficient workouts.
The buoy is applicable to both adults and teenage swimmers for its dimensions are pretty large.
Pros
- It enables proper stroke and technique.
- It avoids unnecessary kicking.
- It provides breath control underwater.
- It is ideal for young adults.
Cons
- It has a redundant height.
Speedo Mix-A-Lot Pull Buoy
(Best for Open Water Swimming)
The Speedo Mix-A-Lot Pull Buoy is widely known for creating a streamlined body form for swimmers of all levels, by raising their legs and hips higher above the water surface. This action maintains your lower body to float most of the time and enables a better swimming workout.
Two buoy color choices are available with the main camo background pattern including a combination of black and white, whereas the other is more eye-catching for its white, red and blue mixture on one buoy. There is a high chance that this colorway is due to the product name Mix-A-Lot.
Its weight is actually heavier than the average rate on this list, therefore it can cover a certain amount of pressure that holds you back while swimming in open water areas. Open water is not that simple for newbies to swim through at ease without any support accessories along.
With this buoy, Speedo chooses to produce one free size for grownups. Adult swimmers, who are planning to level up and test themselves in open water areas will find the buoy absolutely useful for your training.
Pros
- It forms a streamlined body position.
- It has two outstanding camo patterns.
- Heavy, therefore useful for open water swimming.
- It is in a flexible full size.
Cons
- It is not suitable for children.
TYR Sport Junior Float Pull Buoy
(Best for Junior Swimmers)
The TYR Sport Junior Float Pull Buoy is the most lightweight pull buoy on this product list. This feature helps to explain why it is ideal for kids to practice their swimming skills. Heavy pull buoys sometimes turn defective in terms of inappropriate users.
Its small ergonomic design is another factor to support young swimmers with small legs.
It is suggested to use the buoy to train your child’s upper body strength by boosting the endurance and body weight affected by water pressure. Unless they are born talented, most kids do not know how to move their bodies properly underwater so extra help will not hurt.
Furthermore, the buoy is capable of directing swimmers to have smooth arm stroke and a few other beneficial swimming techniques. It is normal to kick in disorder while you swim but you should reduce that frequency with a pull buoy like this.
Pros
- It is ultra-lightweight.
- The ergonomic design is for junior swimmers.
- It helps kids to practice upper body power.
- It strengthens water resistance.
- It develops arm stroke and technique.
Cons
- The black/blue pattern is not appealing to kids.
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FINIS Axis Pull Buoy
(Best for Training)
The second pull buoy from FINIS is practical for your usual swimming workouts because it has a special dual-function design. It is unlike any other buoys on the list, so that can be seen as a bonus point for standing out.
It is engineered for an easy transition between your legs and ankles while swimming, with extra keyholes on each end and a contoured structure. As a result, you can make use of the buoy both as a leg buoy and an ankle float simultaneously.
Also, the buoy enhances gentle and precise hip rotation underwater. When you rotate hips in an inappropriate method, water pressure will place a great impact on your entire body and make you feel tired quickly.
A better grip on your body parts can be empowered by the buoy. Its lightweight EVA foam construction allows the buoy to hold onto swimmers at all times since it is not slippery.
Pros
- It is dual functioned.
- It works as an ankle float and a leg buoy.
- It helps to lead the better hip rotation.
- The light texture ensures a secure grip.
Cons
- It costs higher than average.
FINIS Foam Pull Buoy
(Best for Small Legs)
Kids tend to have more delicate skin than grownups and so do junior swimmers. Parents should go for a float, which has soft material and firm structure like the FINIS Foam Pull Buoy to avoid chafe or irritation for their children.
The buoy can disable your legs to provide better focus on the upper body part. You might have been aware that redundant kickings will drain energy and reduce speed underwater. Therefore, unskillful swimmers should have something to keep their legs together.
The combination of black and yellow to create a bee pattern for the buoy is a good idea. In case your buoy slips away in a crowded swimming pool, it is not difficult to be identified from far away.
FINIS has intended to manufacture the buoy specifically for junior swimmers and adults with small legs. That is the reason why they offer two sizes of the pull buoy. Their prices are distinguished but it will not cost you over $20.00.
Pros
- It is made from soft EVA foam.
- It restrains superfluous leg motion.
- It has an observable pattern.
- It is built especially for small legs.
- The prices are reasonable.
Cons
- The pattern might not suit adult swimmers’ taste.
Speedo Junior Team Pull Buoy
(Best for 10-Year-Old)
The buoy is a kids’ version of the Speedo Team Pull Buoy Training Aid, which I have referred to as the best overall. This buoy is about 3 ounces less than the full version. Its dimensions have been customized to fit children’s legs.
Instead of 3 color variations like its larger adult version, the buoy limits down to two colors of blue and lime. These colors are noticeable and easy to spot out if the buoy ever got lost in a crowd at the swimming pool.
The brand Speedo divides this pull buoy into two different sizing to aim for a particular group of customers. Therefore it is built in only one size, which is great for a 10-year-old junior swimmer. Its unequal ends promote effective swimming by increasing upper body strength.
With the purpose of sealing your legs tight to each other, the buoy helps swimmers to focus entirely on their hip rotation and stroke technique. It reduces the amount of scissor kicking.
Pros
- It weighs less than the full version.
- It has small dimensions.
- It has one size for 10-year-olds.
- It has unequal ends design.
- It lessens redundant kicking.
Cons
- It is somewhat small for some kids.
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TheraBand Webbed Pull Buoy
(Best for Post Shoulders Recovery)
The buoy enables swimmers to simplify the pulling technique in swimming, which is meant to build greater upper body strength. Your stroke rate will be increased considerably by having the buoy between your legs while working out underwater.
It is made out of premium dense foam in two connected cylinder pieces by an adjustable band. Its 3 sizing options prove that the TheraBand Webb Pull Buoy is versatile for a large number of swimmers.
The buoy is designed mainly for new swimmers at the age of young adults to support them for both professional and recreational uses. They should use it to practice swimming under the supervision of older swimmers in case any troubles occur.
As a great recovery method for swimmers that encounter shoulder injuries, the buoy is also advised to use for post shoulder surgeries if a swimmer insists on training.
Pros
- It advances the pulling technique.
- It has two attached cylinder foams.
- It has 3 sizes.
- It suits teenagers the most.
- It is perfect for shoulder rehabilitation.
Cons
- It gets too buoyant sometimes.
Aqua Sphere Pull Buoy Swim Training Aid
The buoy has a big and thick shape of a rectangle with pop-out tops and pressed middle area. This buoy form would require big thighs to hold because it will slip away easily from kids’.
You should place the buoy in between your ankles and thighs and immobilizes them for improving swimming power and the correct position underwater. Your level can be upgraded quickly.
Its dimensions are rather large so adults might find the buoy as a helpful training aid. It has a reasonable price compared to what it offers.
In addition, it comes with a 2-year product warranty so you can easily return the item or get a refund by following their policy guidelines.
Pros
- It has an uncommon shape.
- It isolates thighs and ankles.
- The dimensions are ideal for adults.
- Its price is reasonable.
- It includes a warranty in two years.
Cons
- Its large surface leads to a loose grip.
Swim Research Training Aid Pull Buoy
(Best for Advanced Practice)
The buoy is useful in isolating kicking motions that often pull your legs down at the pool. They are natural for any unprofessional swimmers to perform but using this buoy will reduce that unwanted frequency.
The EVA foam is soft and durable for extended use. If a pull buoy does not stay in shape for the long term, then it is not something you should invest in.
There are two different sizes for junior and adult swimmers to take advantage of. Each of them is measured and built in the most suitable dimensions so swimmers can feel comfortable using.
It defines the proper alignment which you should acquire underwater for the best swimming workout. Your underwater position means so much in the progress.
Pros
- It neutralizes irrelevant kicking.
- It is sustainable and soft.
- It has two sizes for various swimmers.
- It promotes better alignment.
Cons
- Its price is a bit high.
VERISA Swim Training Float Pull Buoy
(Best for Group Swimming)
As the buoy is portable and really easy to store, it can be used for exercises by a group of swimmers. Even a large quantity of the VERISA Swim Training Float Pull Buoy will not take much room for storage.
It enables to correct your posture underwater because swimming position plays an essential role in making you a skillful swimmer.
You can feel free to add an elastic leg strap together with the buoy, in case you encounter any difficulties in holding it from slipping away. It is understandable though, some swimmers cannot control pull buoys well.
It is made from the EVA skin-friendly material that does not irritate or chafe your skin. No one wants to have red itchy marks on their thighs after using a pull buoy.
Pros
- It is easy to store and portable.
- It fixes your swimming position.
- It can be used along a strap.
- It does not cause skin irritation.
Cons
- Its colors may differ from the displays.
Finding the Best Pull Buoy for Swimming
No one would like to show up being unprepared without prior experience and knowledge in buying a suitable pull buoy for swimming. That enables my presentation below to be more valuable to your shopping time.
You should always set out a list of basic criteria to compare among thousands of different tools and brands. Look at mine for an example.
Material
Most pull buoys are manufactured as soft EVA foams. EVA is a kind of plastic, which is soft and elastic enough to be made into rubber but this material is extremely tough. It is considered as a safer alternative to PVC.
The EVA material is both gentle and durable for multiple uses underwater. It does not scratch or leaves irritation on your skin surface as there are a lot of swimmers with sensitive skin. If you plan to buy a pull buoy for your children, it is best advised to select EVA foams.
Size and Weight
Loads of pull buoy brands made their products to be versatile with available applications for both kids and grownups. In contrast, the minority of others choose to manufacture their pull buoys in one size only. Probably because they aim for certain groups of users in each item and these brands produce a wide range of different pull buoys.
Pull buoys functions the best when they are lightweight so as not to slow swimmers down and boost higher buoyancy. As you can see, FINIS Axis Buoy is the heaviest item on the list and that is a slight disadvantage compared to others. Kids should use a small and light buoy to train their swimming skills.
Durability
Last but not least is the durability of pull buoys. Buoy colors tend to wear off under the sun and from pool chlorine. Plus, several of them look aesthetically nice however their persistence through time is low. In consequence, you should consult from previous online customers of pull buoys you intend to buy to learn about their performance and lifespan.
If any pull buoys can stay in shape after extended uses, then that is one considerable option for you and your children to purchase.
Benefits of Training With Pull Buoys
Since you have acknowledged that pull buoys are more than helpful for swimmers via the previous section, I would like to discuss their common benefits. Of course, divergence still exists among pull buoys from different brands. Nonetheless, those are minor details. Let’s go through a few basic pull buoy benefits and understand why it has been welcomed by global swimmers.
Precise Swimming Position
Positioning is the primary factor to succeed in swimming. Humans were not born to naturally adapt themselves underwater, so it is understandable if your swimming position is not proper yet. Even when you work out alone or with a swimming team, using a pull buoy for obtaining the right position is highly recommended.
Pull buoys are widely applied for swimmers to practice their arm stroke, hip rotation together with other simple techniques. Despite them being fundamental skills, new swimmers will make mistakes in performing these. Additional help from a pull buoy is exactly what you need.
Builds Upper Body Strength
In other respects to define your proper swimming position, a pull buoy can also develop core muscles to increase a swimmer’s upper body strength. It immobilizes legs from negative kicking and uplifts the hips so your lower body will not be dragged down.
How your upper body performs underwater is what matters to gain results, but most amateur swimmers experience disorder kicking that becomes an obstacle to the progress. With these lower parts sealed, the upper body has to work harder to swim forward and so, motivates you to focus more on arm stroke.
Inexpensive Training Solution
The main function of a pull buoy is to improve your swimming ability and level up quicker than independent practice without any professional support. These personal achievements are not something huge to be boasted of like winning the Olympics, but they are certainly helpful in terms of training and emergencies.
Pull buoys eliminates the shortcomings in your swimming workout and supports the entire body to accomplish a fast and stress-free experience underwater. Their prices on the market have never gone above $30.00 and can be used for the long term, thus it is no doubt that this is an affordable and effective training aid.
How to Use Pull Buoys?
Pull buoys are ideal for both junior and adult swimmers to practice underwater with them. Swimmers often place a pull buoy in the middle of their ankles and legs while working out. It is suggested by professionals to locate the wider end of the buoy between your legs for better buoyancy.
There are warnings printed on pull buoys to emphasize that they are not life-saving devices and should only be used for workout purposes. It is dangerous to rely on a small pull buoy with the hope that it can save you from dangerous situations like a complete life vest.
In spite of the buoy being incredibly beneficial, I have a piece of advice that you should not swim with it every single time you go to the pool. If you lean on to its function too frequently, you would start to fantasize that it is your real swimming ability and skills.
Pull buoys should be used at particular circumstances in training. The rest of your workout should depend on your capability to swim because you have had prior equipment to define the most correct position and techniques. It is time to apply them on your own.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about pull buoys for swimmers.
Swim Network Overview
Pull buoys are effective and beneficial training aid for swimmers of all levels. Both adult and junior swimmers can make use of them for professional and recreational purposes.
That is the main motivation for me to research the market and gather the most favorable pull buoys right here. Through my detailed review, the Speedo Team Pull Buoy Training Aid is overall brilliant whereas the Runner Up position is settled for the FINIS Foam Pull Buoy. These pull buoys are diverse in users, which means multi-age swimmers would feel great using them.
A low-cost but powerful buoy selection has to be the TYR Pull Float Buoy. While junior swimmers will suit the other product of TYR called the TYR Sport Junior Pull Float Buoy.
There’s a chance you are not into the pull buoys I have presented, but instead, you can take in a lot of useful information and tips in regards to buying and using pull buoys. Should you follow my comprehensive buying guide, you would be more than pleased with what you receive in the end.
Do you have a valuable comment or experience that you would like to speak out? Feel free to drop your thoughts in the comment section. It is awesome to share this information-rich article about pull buoys with your friends and fellow swimmers on Facebook or Twitter by clicking on the buttons below.
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