Best Pull Buoy for Swimming

The pull buoy is another important piece of swimming equipment used by swimmers around the world. Designed to fit between the thighs to allow swimmers to focus on arm work without having to kick, the pull buoy can be a friend or foe.

The appeal of the pull buoy is obvious— it lets us swim for longer and with less effort and with one than we can without one and there are many benefits of using one, however, there is also a downside to overusing a pull buoy.

The pull buoy allows swimmers to focus on arm work without having to kick. Pull buoy, a tool for swim training, to put between the legs, to train arms by Edo de Roo / Wiki Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

What is a Pull Buoy?

Pull buoys are flotation devices that are designed to fit between your thighs to keep your legs high while swimming. Pull buoys are a fantastic piece of swimming gear for all levels of swimmer to use from beginners who need to master a good horizontal position in the water to advanced swimmers who want to work on their arms. Used alongside kickboards, hand paddles, swim snorkels, and fins, pull buoys add another element to a training session that makes them even more fun!

Designs and Shapes

Pull buoys have two basic designs. The first is made of a single piece of foam shaped like an elongated hourglass that offers a comfortable and snug fit between the thighs. The second design is an older design made of two pieces of tubular foam held together by two ropes or straps, however, this shape is not as comfortable as the newer design.

A pull buoy can be used for supporting the legs in all four strokes – butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. With the legs supported, the arms movements are isolated and a small flutter kick or no kick at all can be used.  

Pull buoys are flotation devices that are designed to fit between your thighs to keep your legs high while swimming. 

Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of a pull buoy.  

The Advantages of Training with a Pull Buoy

When a pull buoy is used correctly, it can be a very powerful tool for enhancing your performance in the pool. There are several benefits of using a pull buoy:  

1. Teaches/Encourages the Correct Body Position

Using a pull buoy helps to achieve an efficient body position in the water by keeping the legs high and creating a straight and streamlined form in the water. When a swimmer’s legs drop in the water for various reasons from incorrect body position to fatigue, it creates a massive amount of drag in the water and slows the swimmer down considerably. A pull buoy makes you feel streamlined and sleek in the water and helps you to swim more efficiently.  

2. Targets the Upper Body

A pull buoy allows you to target the upper body without having to worry about the legs. It’s a great tool for working on your upper body strength and focusing on the arm movements – an early high vertical catch, pull, extension and recovery. It’s also good for using during recovery sets, especially after hard kicking sets. For a super arms workout, add an ankle band (so you can’t kick at all and hand paddles!)

3. Less Demanding that Full-Stroke Swimming

The legs have the largest muscles in the body – the quads – and burn the most amount of energy when used correctly, particularly for breaststrokers and sprinters. Using the legs at maximum efficiency requires a huge amount of oxygen, quickly leading to fatigue. Using a pull-buoy is far less taxing on the body as the legs are essentially “resting.” This allows you to train longer without becoming as fatigued.

4. Helps to Focus on Better Technique  

Swimming efficiently is equal parts conditioning and technique. Using a pull buoy allows you to isolate the arm movements of each stroke and work on your technique. This tool allows you to work on the fundamentals of the arm movement and perfect them with the correct hip and leg positioning, which will translate into the full stroke without the pull buoy.  All your mental energy can go into working on these elements of the stroke.

5. Helps to Build Lung Power

Pull buoys are a great tool for working on your breathing technique and hypoxic capabilities. Using a pull buoy on hypoxic sets (breathing every 3,5,7,9 on alternate lengths) helps to build lung capacity and power without becoming fatigued from using the legs. A greater lung capacity contributes towards better explosions out of the water after flip turns and faster performances in the water.

6. Helps to Improve a Feel for the Water

Longer swim sets done with a pull buoy help you to get a better feel for the water as you spend more time concentrating on the arm stroke and working to improve your hand’s relationship with the water. Making a conscious effort to work on perfecting your arm stroke without having to worry about kicking is a great way to enhance your overall performance in the water.

Pull buoys are a great tool for working on your breathing technique and hypoxic capabilities. 

The Disadvantages of Training with a Pull Buoy

As with any other piece of swimming equipment, there is a danger of crossing over from tool to crutch and becoming reliant on it. Using a pull buoy all the time leads to losing efficiency in some of the critical aspects of swimming, such as lower body strength and the kick.

The overuse of a pull buoy can have disadvantages such as:  

1. Limits Hip Rotation

The entire body is connected in swimming and the power in the arm stroke is derived from the rotation of the hips, which is the core of swimming. Using a pull buoy causes the hips to rotate less, which slightly reduces the stroke length.

2. Creates an Artificial Lift in Hips and Legs

A pull buoy artificially lifts the hips and legs to create a horizontal and streamlined position in the water. It is vital to maintain that body position when the pull buoy has been removed, however, not all swimmers can do this.

3. Breaks the Kinetic Chain of Swimming

Competent swimmers use the entire body to move through the water efficiently from their fingertips to their toes and everything in between. Using a pull buoy breaks this kinetic energy as the legs are being isolated, leading to less time being spent on becoming more efficient at the whole system.  

4. Less Work on the Core

The core is at the center of swimming and swimmers rely exclusively on their core strength for stability. A pull buoy provides artificial support and relieves the core of its duties, which are to provide a base of support, stability, balance, transfer of power between the arms and the legs.

Swimmers rely exclusively on their core strength for stability. 

How to Get the Most Benefit from Using a Pull Buoy

Here are some top tips to get the most out of using your pull buoy:

1. Alternate Pull Buoy and Swimming

Alternate regular swimming with a pull buoy to keep your stroke balanced, your core strong, and your technique efficient in both your arms and your legs.

2. Use it for Targeted Work or Recovery Only

Use your pull buoy for specifically working your arms or as a recovery tool – don’t simply use it because it’s the easy way out. When using a pull buoy, focus on one or two technical elements of your stroke like the high elbow catch or the recovery – you can work on these with a good position and an excess of oxygen thanks to the pull buoy.

3. Maintain a Specific Breathing Pattern

Pull sets are excellent for working on your breathing patterns and technique. Holding a higher breathing pattern (breathing every 5 or 6) or breathing bilaterally is easier during pull sets with a pull buoy as your leg muscles are not oxygen-thirsty, so take advantage of this to help improve breath discipline.

4. Charge into the Walls

Take advantage of having more oxygen and work on your entry and explosion out of your turns. Hold your breath for a few strokes into the wall and explode out of the turn when you surface. 

Use your pull buoy for specifically working your arms or as a recovery tool. 

What to Look for in a Pull Buoy

Here are some key aspects to keep in mind when shopping for a pull buoy:

1. The Width of the Pull Buoy

The narrower the pull buoy, the tighter you will have to squeeze your legs to keep it in place. If you have wide hips, a narrow pull buoy tends to pop out when you are doing flip turns or are fatigued and not squeezing tight enough.

2. The Shape of the Pull Buoy

Pull buoys generally come in two different shapes: a one-piece hourglass-shaped pull buoy that is sometimes slightly larger on one end than the other; and the “classic” (old-school) pull buoy constructed of separate foam cylinders connected by nylon straps that can be tightened to your preference.

3. The Size of the Pull Buoy

Pull buoys are available in different sizes, although very slight. Swimmers with large leg muscles should go for a bigger pull buoy with higher flotation to raise the body position in the water. Slight swimmers should go for a smaller pull buoy – a large one may offer too much flotation and raise the body too high in the water.

4. The Material

Most pull buoys today are made from soft foam which is quite comfortable to use even on longer sets. The old-school pull buoys are made from harder foam and tend to chafe and rub the thighs.

Best Pull Buoy for Swimmers

Now that we know all about pull buoys and how to use them, let’s take a look at some of the top brands on the market. I jumped in the pool with a range of pull buoys and tested them all and came with a list of my top picks:

BEST OVERALL – Speedo Team Pull Buoy 

This is a great pull buoy! It’s made from soft, chafe-free EVA foam and is very comfortable to use. It is slightly larger than the other pull buoys which worked for me and have one side that is slightly bigger than the other, which helps with hip elevation and good positioning in the water. The ergonomic design fits perfectly between the thighs and doesn’t slip out at all.

Pros

•         Made from durable and soft EVA foam
•         Good buoyancy
•         A larger end for hip elevation and correct body positioning in the water
•         Chafe-free

 

Cons

•         May not be suitable for slight swimmers as it may be too buoyant

No products found.

TYR Pull Buoy

The TYR pull buoy is another excellent pull buoy for swimmers that fits comfortably, doesn’t slip around, and doesn’t chafe. It has an ergonomic shape that offers a comfy fit between the thighs and is made from soft EVA foam with a silky finish that doesn’t cause any rubbing on the skin. It provides very high buoyancy so is a good pull buoy for larger and stronger swimmers, however, there is a junior-sized pull buoy for smaller adults and children.

Pros

•         Made from durable and soft EVA foam and chafe-free
•         High buoyancy – ideal for larger swimmers
•         A larger end for hip elevation and correct body positioning in the water
•         Available in junior size for small adults and children

No products found.

FINIS Pull Buoy

The FINIS pull buoy is ideal for female and young swimmers as it is slightly smaller than the previous two pull buoys and offers a very comfortable and snug fit. Designed in the characteristic yellow color of FINIS, the pull buoy is made from durable and soft EVA foam and has a smooth finish that is chafe-free. The design helps to lift the hips and legs and helps to get a good body position in the water, allowing you to focus on your upper body strength. The FINIS pull buoy is available in two sizes: adult and junior.

Pros

•         Made from durable and soft EVA foam and chafe-free
•         Medium buoyancy and ideal for young and female swimmers
•         Great for hip elevation and correct body positioning in the water
•         Available in adult and junior sizes

Cons

•         Better for smaller swimmers

No products found.

Arena Freeflow Pull Buoy

The Arena Freeflow Pull Buoy has very similar qualities to the FINIS pull buoy in that it is a great piece of swim equipment for female and young swimmers as it is slightly smaller than the previous two pull buoys.

The pull buoy is made from durable and soft EVA foam and has a smooth finish that is chafe-free. It offers a very comfortable and snug fit and helps to lift the hips and legs and helps to get a good body position in the water, allowing you to focus on your upper body strength.

Pros

•         Made from durable and soft EVA foam and chafe-free
•         Medium buoyancy and ideal for young and female swimmers
•         Great for hip elevation and correct body positioning in the water
•         Available in adult and junior sizes

Cons

•         Better for smaller swimmers

No products found.

BEST FOR BEGINNER SWIMMERS: SpoiledHippo Pull Buoy

The SpoiledHippo Pull Buoy is a fantastic pull buoy for beginner swimmers as it has adjustable straps on the side to ensure the pull buoy doesn’t slip out from between the thighs. It is also much larger than standard pull buoys and provides more buoyancy to the swimmer.  

Made from durable and soft EVA foam, the shape has an asymmetrical design and is very comfortable to use. The thin security straps on either side of the buoy provide a secure and snug fit and keep the buoy in place while you are swimming. The straps are adjustable for all body types and sizes.

This piece of swimming equipment is made from high-quality foam. It is very durable, but also soft on your skin. In addition, it does not soak in water, and when you are finished with your swimming session it will dry up very fast without any leftover smell.

Pros

•         Made from durable and soft EVA foam
•         The soft finish is chafe-free
•         Adjustable security straps keep the buoy in place
•         Great for beginner swimmers
•         One-year warranty

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Other Pulling Options

Pull-Kickboards are dual-functioning pieces of swim equipment that combine a pull-buoy with a kickboard. While they are a great piece of equipment with dual functionality, they do not offer much flotation and are best used with swimmers who already have a strong kick. Pull-kickboards are also great if you don’t want to carry too much equipment around as they are lightweight and take up half the space of a separate pull buoy and a kickboard in your swim bag.

Here are some of the top pull-kickboards on the market:

BEST OVERALL – Speedo All-Age Elite Pullkick Swim Training Aid Kickboard

The Speedo All-Age Elite Pullkick Swim Training Aid Kickboard is a specially designed, two-in-one combo that serves both as a kickboard and a pull buoy. It’s quite small – it only measures 10.5 x 9.25 inches – and very lightweight so can easily fit in your training bag.

Its unique shape allows a comfortable fit between your legs as a pull buoy and as a kickboard with extended arms. It is also a good swimming tool for one-arm drills and backstroke. Its size and shape require more effort when kicking as it does not provide as much buoyancy as regular kickboards and swimmers with shoulder or back issues may feel some discomfort when using it to kick.

Pros

•         Dual functionality is ideal for carrying less equipment
•         Ergonomic and hydrodynamic design
•         Contoured sides for easy grip for both legs and hands
•         Good swimming tool for one-arm drills and backstroke

Cons

•         Not as buoyant as regular kickboards
•         Suitable for experienced swimmers only

No products found.

Arena Pullkick Pro Swim Kickboard

This amazing little piece of dual-function training aid is lightweight, practical, and good-looking. Designed for optimum buoyancy and comfort, it combines the design of a pull-buoy and a kickboard, allowing swimmers to use it as either.

When used as a kickboard, the Arena Pullkick Pro Swim can be used for two-arm, one-arm and underwater drills, as well as regular kicking, and its asymmetrical shape is streamlined and ergonomic in the water. Its size and shape require more effort when kicking as it does not provide as much buoyancy as regular kickboards and swimmers with shoulder or back issues may feel some discomfort when using it to kick.

Pros

•         Dual functionality is ideal for carrying less equipment
•         Asymmetrical, ergonomic, and hydrodynamic design
•         Comfortable, easy grip for both legs and arms
•         Good swimming tool for all kinds of drills

Cons

•         Not as buoyant as regular kickboards
•         Suitable for experienced swimmers only

No products found.

Arena Pull Kick – 2-in-1 Pull Buoy and Kickboard

The Arena Pull Kick – 2-in-1 Pull Buoy and Kickboard is another great dual-function pull-kickboard that is designed for optimum buoyancy and comfort. Rectangle in design with channels and grooves for hand grips and forearm comfort, the 2-in-1 Pull Buoy and Kickboard is ideal for working on both your arms and legs in one set. It’s lightweight (weighing in at 14 grams!), streamlined and ergonomic, and is available in different colors.

Pros

•         Super lightweight and ergonomic in the water
•         Comfortable, easy grip for both legs and arms
•         Grooves and channels for easy finger, arm, and leg grip
•         Designed for optimum buoyancy and comfort

Cons

•         Suitable for experienced swimmers only

No products found.

FINIS Axis Buoy

The first dual-function pull buoy introduced to the swim market, the FINIS Axis Buoy is an outstanding piece of swim equipment for working the upper body. Unlike other pull buoys that are placed between the thighs and raise the hips in the water, the FINIS Axis Buoy is placed around the ankles to immobilize the legs and build upper body strength.

The ergonomically designed keyholes of the pull buoy are placed over the ankles but can be moved to the legs if required. The dual-function pull buoy lifts the hips and legs and is good for working on hip rotation and upper body strength. It is made from soft EVA foam that has a smooth finish and doesn’t chafe or rub the skin.  

Pros

•         Dual-function pull buoy for working the upper body
•         Allows for hip rotation unlike other pull buoys
•         Made from durable and soft EVA foam
•         Smooth finish is chafe-free
•         Great for hip elevation and correct body positioning in the water

 Cons

•         Suitable for advanced and experienced swimmers only

No products found.

Final Thoughts

Pull buoys are an essential piece of swimming equipment for swimmers who want to improve stroke technique, work on breathing technique and capabilities, increase their lung power, and build upper body strength. While there are advantages and disadvantages to using a pull buoy, if it is used correctly, it can contribute to an improvement in your overall performance in the water.

Happy swimming!