If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best stationary swim trainer is, then I’d recommend the YYST Swim Bungee as the best one.
Now that summer is here, it’s probably a good time to talk about stationary swim trainers.
While it can be nice to have a small outdoor pool to have backyard parties with, they often don’t offer much compared to those meant for exercise.
Ironically enough, you might get a better workout in a tiny pool at home depending on how crowded your local swimming areas get during the summer.
Here are the top stationary swim trainers we’ll be reviewing:
- Reliable Outdoor Gear Swimming Belt
- YYST Swim Bungee Training Belt
- Tyr Aquatic Resistance Belt
- Aqua Sphere Stationary Swimmer
- YYST Swim Ankle Strap Stationary Swimmer
So What is a Stationary Swim Trainer?
Also known as swim tethers or swimming belts, this type of device is a training aid meant to allow you to get a full, water based workout, in the comfort of your own backyard.
This is done by tethering your body to a solid object and basically swimming in place.
Belt Type
This type of stationary swim trainer uses a comfortable strap to wrap around your waist. This strap is connected to a rope that tethers your body in place.
It gives you a little more freedom of movement than the ankle type, but you tend to swing side to side more often.
This is the type of swim trainer that I’d recommend for most people.
There isn’t much to fuss over when you’re setting it up, and changing swimming positions mid exercise is much easier with this type of tether.
Another positive is that belt tethers are probably safer than ankle trainers.
I know, it might seem crazy that someone can drown in an outdoor pool, but it can happen.
Just be aware that safety is always an issue and keep an eye on younger children who wish to try using a tether.
Ankle Type
These types of swim tethers act similarly to the belt model, but instead holds you in place via straps around the ankles.
It feels like you get a more ‘realistic’ swimming simulation with this type, but the straps can be quite uncomfortable and cause chafing.
This discomfort is especially true with leg focused workouts, which is why I would primarily recommend waist type tethers.
The Advantages of a Stationary Swim Trainer
Being able to get a full swim session in just about any smaller pool is pretty huge.
Besides not having to share lanes with others at the gym, there’s the extra time you can save between driving to the pool and home.
Honestly, just the convenience factor alone is enough for me to purchase a swim tether.
Instead of having to go for a morning run, I could wake up and get my cardio in with a brisk bout of swimming.
Rather than relying on coffee to get my morning started, a cold swim is a surefire way to wake you up if nothing else.
I’d also go on about how great it feels to get home and take a quick dip in the pool, but I’m fairly sure you’ve gotten the message by now.
In terms of exercising, swim trainers actually offer a surprising utility that isn’t apparent at first.
Namely, the bungee tethers act similar to resistance training.
While primarily meant to simulate the movement of full on swimming, you can play around with how hard you push, and the tether will compensate in return.
The Disadvantages of a Stationary Swim Trainer
The main downside to swimming tethers are that they can’t completely simulate the swimming experience.
While you’ll still get a good workout in, it’s going to feel slightly disorienting at first.
You’ll be constantly moving backwards and forwards depending on the strength and speed of your stroke.
Added to that is the sideways movement you’ll get at times, and you might find it difficult to focus on training until you get used to the sensation.
Something else to worry about has more to do with ankle trainers than waist tethers.
The former type of stationary swim trainers can cause your tethers to cross underwater when switching from your front and back.
It’s not a large problem as long as you twist back the other way, but it can be annoying and potentially dangerous.
Sure, it is incredibly unlikely that you’ll ever get tangled up enough that it’s going to be an inescapable problem, but possible danger is still danger, especially with kids.
The Best Stationary Swim Trainer Reviews
In this section we’ll be looking over five different swim trainers I’ve used this summer.
I’ll be grading them at the end based on my own criteria of comfort, ease of use, and training effectiveness.
As always, feel free to do further personal research on products that fit your own needs better.
Reliable Outdoor Gear Swimming Belt
The Reliable Outdoor Gear Swimming Belt doesn’t just come with the adjustable waist strap and tether.
It also comes with a small underwater parachute you can use to add resistance to water sprinting. This product is also fairly inexpensive.
This trainer is used by either hooking the parachute onto the tether, or by linking said chord onto a handrail or pool ladder.
While personally I’m the type to use weights while running underwater, the small parachute helped to add a good amount of resistance to any sprints I attempted.
Depending on the size of your pool, you might have to run in small circles, but I assume it would still be effective.
As for exercising while tethered, I had no complaints. The waistband was decently comfortable despite the lack of padding, and the elastic cord kept me in place while I swam.
Pros
- Inexpensive and comes with a resistance parachute
- Great for larger pools
- Waistband is adjustable for most sizes and ages
Cons
- The parachute might not work correctly in smaller pools
- The strap system is a little annoying
- The lack of waistband padding might cause discomfort with extended use
YYST Swim Bungee Training Belt
The YYST Swim Bungee Training Belt is extremely comfortable to use.
I utilizes a neoprene wrapped belt that deals with any possible chafing you’d get after significant usage.
The tether itself is meant to be connected to any pole or furnishing within the pool. This item is also quite inexpensive for what you can get out of it.
The first thing to mention is that the neoprene wrapping around the belt is great for anyone with sensitive skin.
The buckle system is also incredibly convenient compared to other models where you have to mess with velcro every time you want to take the belt off.
This product also comes with a mesh storage bag that makes it easy to carry. If you plan on taking this product to the pool, take care not to forget in the lockers!
Pros
- Very compact package that is easily portable
- Belt is designed well and is comfortable to wear
- Buckle type belt makes it easy to put on or take off
- Excellent all around swimming trainer
Cons
- The belt should fit most people, but it isn’t as variable as some other waist tethers
- You’ll have to purchase a belt extender if it’s too small
Tyr Aquatic Resistance Belt
Made out of the highest quality materials, like everything else that’s been marketed ever, I’d probably put more stock in the phrase if the parts didn’t look cheap.
That isn’t to say the Tyr Aquatic Resistance Belt is bad, it does the job it needs to, compares decently to the other models on this list, and is the most inexpensive option.
I can’t complain about the belt’s comfort level, it’s got enough padding on it that there shouldn’t be much, if any, chafing.
The belt is also held in place by a lever system which is easy to put on and take off. The problem I have with these types of belt buckles is that they can loosen during strenuous use.
Overall, there isn’t much I can say about the Tyr Aquatic Resistance Belt that stands out over the others besides its lack of cost. Nothing special, but it’s not terrible, and it gets the job done.
Pros
- Least expensive option
- Lever type belt buckle is easy to use
- The adjustable waistband has enough padding to be comfortable for extended use
Cons
- Not a huge fan of where the belt connects to the tether
- Extended use might see the bungee cord start to fray
- Lever type belt buckles have a tendency to unlatch during heavy use
Aqua Sphere Stationary Swimmer
I’m normally not a fan of ankle type swim trainers, but I think I can make an exception for the Aqua Sphere Stationary Swimmer.
The first major problem that they deal with is the chafing issue. The ankle straps are designed intelligently to wrap and support itself around the foot.
Said straps are also wrapped up in neoprene so the likelihood of chafing is negligible.
The second thing I like about this are the quick release buckles on the ankle straps. In the unlikely case that drowning becomes a real threat, all you need to do is unbuckle the straps and you’re good to go.
Mostly it just makes it easier to take the ankle wraps on and off, but I like the idea of convenience mixed with safety.
To speak a little more about the design of the Aqua Sphere Stationary Swimmer, these are one of the more comfortable designs I’ve used.
Instead of a tether connecting directly behind the foot in a ‘U’ shape, they connect instead to the outside of the ankles near the heels.
This makes swimming with these a less annoying experience.
One major downside is that the velcro stopped staying secure after two or three weeks. It’s not an insurmountable problem, but it’s more than a little annoying to figure out a workaround.
Pros
- Smartly designed with safety and convenience in mind
- Tethers are intelligently placed and don’t get in the way of swimming
- Neoprene foot straps are very comfortable
- Very inexpensive for what you can do with it
Cons
- You still can’t crossover freely with these
- Might require more work to setup if you don’t have a pool ladder
- The velcro stops working well after a couple uses, it needs a better system to hold it in place
YYST Swim Ankle Strap Stationary Swimmer
I’m not exactly a fan of this type of ankle strap, but it’s simple and it works okay. Basically the entire thing consists of one large neoprene wrap that completely covers your ankles in thick, bulky cloth. There are two straps that hang underneath your feet which will connect to the tethers, and this is where personal preference really gets in the way of the review.
Ankle tethers uses in this format feel very strange at first and is hard to get used to. And despite the abundance of soft neoprene padding, it still feels strange to have my ankles covered entirely and pulled back on.
If you have any fears of being grabbed underwater by the ankles, the YYST Swim Ankle Strap Stationary Swimmer might not the training aid for you.
Pros
- Low price
- The neoprene wraps are admittedly comfortable
Cons
- Swimming with these will be uncomfortable at first
- Better for arm work than for leg forms
- The straps connecting to the bungee are going to rub up against your feet on occasion
The Best Stationary Swim Trainer is…
I’ll have to go with the YYST Swim Bungee as the overall winner. Besides not being a big fan of ankle trainers, I felt like this product had the best overall build quality to offer.
Personally, comfort is a huge deal for me when I’m working out. This is doubly true for underwater workouts where the skin becomes sensitive and tender.
I’d rather not have to worry about chafing or any painful rashes that’ll take away from focusing on exercising.
The extra thick padding ensures that you won’t have to worry about any of that.
In terms of convenience and safety, you can’t beat a quick release buckle. Snap on, snap off. Easy.
The entire package is also only going to cost somewhere around twenty bucks, so why not get the comfortable one?
