Full or LJ
736
Member
841 days
Red5 posted 1 year ago.
You want to use the full, J. The trick is to not fight the suit. Your arms are going to feel like they are pushed out wide and flat vs. swimming without. You need to adjust your stroke to allow for that. You are going to get more bouyancy and a more effective glide/pull with a full. Tempe town lake is going to be chilly, too, so the nearly everyone will be in a full. Give it a few more tries to get a better feel for it.
_______
Bryan
Of course it's 'effing hard, it's IRONMAN!
771
Member
1338 days
Jstyle posted 1 year ago.
I tried to check the tempe lake temp but I can't get a number from anywhere. There is this site but it says it's broke. http://www.tempe.gov/lake/Water/default.aspx
Does anyone know the current water temp?
2816
Member
1313 days
Anton posted 1 year ago.
I've used both...you want the full. Red is spot on.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
372
Member
840 days
kkocan posted 1 year ago.
Go with the full, just practice and get used to it. I was in the same boat last year and was debating a full vs LJ. After much research I ended up with a BlueSeventy full and love it. Although the first time I tried it in the open water I was like you and thought it tired my shoulders out more than usaual. Make sure you have it on correctly and you will get used to it.
________________________________________________
2008 Main Races:
VA Beach Shamrock Marathon
Desoto TTT
WV Mountaineer HIM
IM Wisconsin
169
Member
692 days
solidad posted 1 year ago.
Don't have IM experience in a Full but have raced shorted inthe full. I actually felt like if you could get your stroke to not fight the suit, the suit actually felt like it increased my pull strength because of the stretch and rebound of the material. Plus the bouyancy will be highest which has to bee a good thing for a full IM length swim.
1127
Member
930 days
UFTriGator posted 1 year ago.
solidad;65016 wrote:
I actually felt like if you could get your stroke to not fight the suit, the suit actually felt like it increased my pull strength because of the stretch and rebound of the material.
+1
The full felt weird at first, but by the second time I wore it, there was a very obvious benefit. My QR has special material in the shoulders that's supposed to make it easier to rotate your arms around, but the elasticity pulling them back down makes it feel like you're just flying through the water.
______________________________________________
-Matt
Not fast enough.
1704
Member
1485 days
PrinceofClydes posted 1 year ago.
I have used a Farmer JOhn or FJ in the 3 IMs I have done.
The buoyancy was great and just where I wanted it - in the lower body.
I have not worn a full suit but I prefer the shoulder mobility anyway.
Plus My suit brand new from MOuntain Equipment Co-Op cost only $90 CDN.
The great thing about a FJ suit is that it is so easy to get on and off. Mine has zips up the calves and a zip down the front - which means the pre-race pee is easier than dis-robing with a full suit / zip down the back.
The only negative factor I found is that the chest billows slightly and the suit catches water - a minor drag.
Overall I found it to be a super benefit over swimming "naked."
PoC
"Pain doesn't last, chicks dig scars, glory is forever!"
- Shane Falco.
978
Member
1148 days
PJT posted 1 year ago.
I read a tip from Emilio De Soto recently, and it made sense to me: New wetsuits and wetsuits that have been in storage dry out, shrink, and are less flexible than wetsuits in regular use. Try to get your wetsuit wet a couple of times per week, preferably by swimming, or just soaking in the bathtub.
Red5 is also right about the need for some stroke adjustment.
736
Member
841 days
Red5 posted 1 year ago.
Tempe Town Lake is in the high 60's heading into th elow 70's by race day. Don't worry about taking off the full, they will have plenty of strippers for that, J. Used properly, you will be quicker in the full, just relax your shoulders on the up stoke as your arm exits the water. Let it rideout wide. Enter the water and get your reach/glide going, rotate your torso to get your catch and pull like a mofo! The material on the arms actually help to catch a greater surface area of water, creating more momentun.
_______
Bryan
Of course it's 'effing hard, it's IRONMAN!
1563
Member
1351 days
brittda posted 1 year ago.
I am going to disagree here---I have swam in both and am a strong swimer. I find the full confining and went with the sleeveless for my IM and had no problems. I think it depends on:
1. water temp--I did IMC and the water was like 72
2. how good of a swimmer you are.
736
Member
841 days
Red5 posted 1 year ago.
If you use the pro's as an example, almost all swim fulls, so I don't think the skill level is the issue. Yes, a wet suit can provide comfort to weaker swimmers, but it also provides hydrodynamic benefits which can aid even the most competent of swimmers. I own one of each because I used to feel that I was going to be faster in the LJ because of the greater range of motion. I was wrong and nearly every pro or coach I have talked to also believe the full suits, fitted and used properly, are faster.
_______
Bryan
Of course it's 'effing hard, it's IRONMAN!
771
Member
1338 days
Jstyle posted 1 year ago.
Well guys I picked up an FJ yesterday and hit the pool... I am gonna have to admit I really like it. I have never swam those kinda laps before at that speed and I wasn't even tired. Since the opinion around here is go full I am gonna get a full again tonight and try it one more time just fitted differently... I will give some feedback tonight or tomorrow. Thanks every one for chiming in...
190
Member
1006 days
jmruns430 posted 1 year ago.
Are you renting the suit? If you are and can try out different brands/fits, that might make all the difference. I tried on 4 brands and only found one that really "fit" me right. The suit I have is an Ironmanwetsuit (now blueseventy) and my arms actually feel better lifted straight up because of how they designed the mobility of the suit. I actually think I swim better in the wetsuit, so if you can find the right one it should make a positive difference for you.
532
Member
677 days
Ironmom posted 1 year ago.
I think you should go with whatever works best personally for you. If a suit makes you faster, but feels worse, it might not be the best suit. I never underestimate the mental component of anything, so what feels mentally best to you may be the best thing, regardless if it is the technically "fastest" option or not.
I haven't used a full suit ever, but may be getting one this year. But I've swam in dozens of races in my FJ and always felt comfortable and never had a problem with being slow in the swim. So my advice would be to check out both (sounds like you have the ability to do that), take the advice here and relax into the full and see if you can make it work for you. If you can't, have a great race in the FJ and don't worry about it!
Blue Skies, -Robin-
http://ironmom.blogspot.com/
771
Member
1338 days
Jstyle posted 1 year ago.
Aight guys and girls I went back again to get another wetsuit. Let me tell you I am racking up the miles on trips the past 4 days to the tri shop. At 25 miles each way I am going to make sure I don't have to go back for a LONG while :) Well now I got a full and I am going to try one last time. If I don't like this one then the FJ is what I am going to go with... Wish me luck everyone.
736
Member
841 days
Red5 posted 1 year ago.
A few articles I found:
From Nytro.com, a triathlon online store:
Full Wetsuit vs. Sleeveless Wetsuit
A full wetsuit will be warmer and faster - faster due to the increased buoyancy. In general, a well-fitting full suit will be an additional 2 seconds/ 100 meters faster than the same model in the sleeveless version. Some swimmers have experienced swim times dropping between 5-15 seconds per 100m, that is a savings of 2.5 to 4 minutes in a 1.5K swim (Olympic Distance Triathlon)! Some swimmers avoid the full wetsuit as they feel they cannot "feel" the water on their forearms, leading to a less efficient stroke. Another reason is that swimmers experience fatigue in their shoulders and torso. Both of those concerns can be remedied with the correct size wetsuit.
This was in the FAQ at athletesden.com:
Fullsuits are faster providing the stroke efficiency is not compromised. Traditionally, fullsuits were only used for extreme cold as they were renowned for reducing stroke efficiency and causing muscle fatigue in the arms. The invention of freedom panels, and the introduction of new materials, has now overcome this deficiency. These features are essential when choosing a fullsuit. Fullsuits provide greater buoyancy than sleeveless suits and also have less water entry and surface resistance as a result of the extra neoprene coverage. These features can transfer to time savings of up to 2 or 3 minutes improvement (depending on design) versus sleeveless suits over 1500 meters.
And finally this one from Carmichael Training Systems:
Sleeves or No Sleeves
One of the biggest questions when finding the right fit is sleeves versus no sleeves. The purpose of a wetsuit is to make you more buoyant and to reduce friction in the water. Becoming more buoyant raises your body higher out of the water, resulting in less surface area to plow through the water during your race. Additionally, the wetsuit reduces the amount of drag in the water, facilitating an improvement in your overall glide. Sleeveless wetsuits are good for warm-water swims (just on the verge of USAT regulations), and you may feel you have a greater range of motion as well. A full-body wetsuit will help keep your core temperature warmer during long cold swims, will make you more buoyant in the water, and will increase the circumference of your arms, which allows you to push more water with each stroke. In short, go for a full-body wetsuit unless you’re swimming in warm water.
_______
Bryan
Of course it's 'effing hard, it's IRONMAN!
771
Member
1338 days
Jstyle posted 1 year ago.
Ok well I am giving the full a shot and if it doesn't work out Bryan I AM COMING FOR YOU!!! just kidding it's all a trial and error I'll just have to see how it plays out...
372
Member
840 days
kkocan posted 1 year ago.
Make sure you put it on correctly...There are some good articles out there on the internet about how to step by step put a wetsuit on properly. I think some people don't take the time to put one on right and therefore don't reap the benifits.
I am a strong swimmer and I always thought I'd hate a full, but went with one anyway. Tried a 2xU as it seemed like a great suit but just didn't fit me. Trisports took it back and sent a Blue Seventy and I love it.
________________________________________________
2008 Main Races:
VA Beach Shamrock Marathon
Desoto TTT
WV Mountaineer HIM
IM Wisconsin
736
Member
841 days
Red5 posted 1 year ago.
Dude, I HATED the full sleeve the first 2 times I wore it and was CONVINCED I should just go without one entirely beacuase I felt it interfered with my shoulder rotation. It only took me relaxing my shoulders and letting my arm on the up stroke just do what it wants to do, and I felt much better. :)
_______
Bryan
Of course it's 'effing hard, it's IRONMAN!
771
Member
1338 days
Jstyle posted 1 year ago.
Aight boys and girls this is the verdict:
I went back to the store and got an Xterra large full suit...
Now let me explain why this is a big step for me real quick. I kept refusing to get a large because since I went on a diet and fitness kick 2 years ago I lost 75lbs I just loving be able to wear mediums and be loose on me. The thought of going back into a large just freaked me out. Well the problem was a medium was just to short on me. I am too tall to get away with it so it pulled my arms down on me.
Anywho this is what happened I swam in the large for about 1500 meters in the pool (complete with really strange looks from people.) I have never in my life swam that fast. Now I know it's not fast for you guys but I swam a 25 minute 1500. My best time prior was a high 29. Now the suit kinda bothered my arms some but I don't think it will be enough to keep me out of one.
So the verdict is Josh in a full suit at IM AZ!
Shout outs to everyone for the advice.
557
Member
1544 days
Riverbrady posted 1 year ago.
Also, if you're just starting into using it, give it a few swims. Full wetsuits do necessitate you change a few things slightly and until you do/are comfortable with it, your shoulders will tire out more quickly.
"Care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical, expect more than others think is possible."
2816
Member
1313 days
Anton posted 1 year ago.
Nice choice Jstyle...I think the right one.
I'm shoppin' now...just blew out my 5 year old QR yesterday. Split on the arm and shoulder..i'll patch it and keep it for practice,but ain't goin to Tupper Lake and IMLP with a marginal suit! Wife said.."That's awful!...you just go treat yourself to a new suit! I want my baby looking good!" (Jeepers I am lucky!)
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
736
Member
841 days
Red5 posted 1 year ago.
I told you! Nice job!
_______
Bryan
Of course it's 'effing hard, it's IRONMAN!
771
Member
1338 days
Jstyle posted 1 year ago.
Cool well thanks everyone. I have a hook up since I am sponosored by Snickers so looks like I am getting a DeSoto any opinions???
736
Member
841 days
Red5 posted 1 year ago.
Although I am not sure how I feel about the 2 piece set up, everyone I know who has one seem to really like it.
_______
Bryan
Of course it's 'effing hard, it's IRONMAN!
4637
Member
1671 days
beads1985 posted 1 year ago.
I use my full suit when it is colder than 65 degrees or if the swim is longer than a mile and below 68.
On a swim with water over 70-72 degrees (or barely legal by USAT standard) I feel very warm in my sleeveless and I would be overheating in a sleeved suit.
Otherwise, I love my sleeveless. I feel I have more mobilty and I don't believe my drag is increased that much, or my buoyancy is decreased significantly.
My sleeveless comes off a little quicker(even if I am thoroughly lubed up) than my full suit, so my T1 is faster.
I have both, and I got good deals on them, but a full suit is going to be more expensive than a sleeveless no matter the brand.
Studies are good for information but I would consider what is comfortable for you.
Just my .02 :D
Nothing to it, but to do it
I tried to do an open water swim on Saturday and it went ok but it was much harder then it should have been. I was wearing a full suit just to get used to it but the suit held my arms down so much I was getting exhausted from the beginning. I can normally swim 4k at the drop of a hat and after 3k I just wanted to go home.
So after thinking about it for a while I thought hey I should check out an FJ or sleeveless suit. So I rented one today and I am gonna hit the pool afterwork. My question is "is this FJ going to give me near the same bouyancy as the full? I know it won't be exactly the same but is it close? Am I just spinning wheels with an FJ suit and I should swim with just a swim suit?