With the versatility of swim cords, you can decide to work-out on land (dry) and in water (wet). You can use in almost any training session if you wish you to improve your endurance, technique and swimming speed. Prior to buying the best swim cords for yourself, there are some things you need to know, as well as, how to use swim cords. I have compiled the top 10 best swim cords and also included a buying guide.
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What Are Swim Cords?
Swim cords are one of the most useful training equipment with versatility. They are also called stretch cords or resistance bands. If you haven’t seen one, you can imagine it to have a close resemblance to a skipping rope. However, the rope (cord) in a swim cord is elastic and can stretch to various lengths.
The handles are made from fabric to form a loop or a rope that you can hook on poles or around something or yourself. It may also come with paddles and waist belts. With a swim cord, you can boost your endurance, strength, and technique either on land or in a pool, regardless of the size. You can have swim cords as part of your training gears for triathlon.
What Is the Best Swim Cord?
Swim cords pose as a budget-friendly, space-friendly and time-friendly way of training or working out as a swimmer. Here are some of the best swim cords you should consider.
- Best Overall: TYR Aquatic Resistance Belt Swim Cord
"Long tether, comes from a popular brand, budget-friendly and quick-drying." - Best Budget: Drag Belt Swim Resistance Cords
"Versatile, removable parts, budget-friendly, comes with a comfy waist belt." - Best for Beginners: Stillswim Stationary Tether/Belt Swim Cord
"Fantastic buckle-free belt, can be tied to any object, helps to improve swimming posture." - Best for Swim Training: StrechCordz Long Belt Slider Swim Cord
"Long tether, comes with a warranty and safety cord, best for professional swimmers." - Best Value for the Money: YYST Pool Training Leash Belt Swim Cord
"Polyethylene coating, 44-inch maximum waist circumference, storage mesh included, best for adult and kids."
Where to Buy Swim Cords Near Me?
Finally, you have decided to get a swim cord. By following my buying guide should be able to determine which is best for you and ultimately buy the best swim cord. I strongly suggest that should buy from a reputable nearby shop with decent customer care service. This way, you can easily return, make complaints or utilize your warranty.
You may also buy from online shops, however, ensure that they have a good reputation and nice delivery and customer services. Before settling for any of their published product, check for past customer reviews on such products. For nearby shops, you can use my map below to find the closest to you.
Comparison of Top 10 Best Swim Cords 2020
Buying the best swim cord doesn’t come easy except by chance. Every product will present itself to be the best if you go shopping for swim cords without any clue. There are several products you will come across and decision-making will be stressful. Hence, I have made a full review of the best swim cords for 2020.
Want to save time? Here is a quick review of the best 10 swim cords I have selected for you in 2020.
The Best Swim Cords
Although swim cords have a pretty simple design, they can perform a great deal during workouts. Their elasticity is what makes them relevant to training sessions. You can effectively improve your strokes and make them more efficient whilst improving your swimming speed. Here are the detailed reviews of the top 10 best swim cords in 2020.
TYR Aquatic Resistance Belt Swim Cord
(Best Overall - Editor's Choice)
TYR is quite popular in the swimming world, producing many top-rated accessories and you should expect swim cords from them. Their popularity earns you some level of confidence since they are known for quality products and would want to keep it that way. Their Aquatic Resistance belt swim cord is one of the best resistance band for swimmers, made from durable materials.
The cord has a length of approximately 6 feet and provides much resistance. It terminates on one end with a loop that you can fix to a pole and on the other with a clip system. The clip connects to the waist belt allowing you to perform many wet exercises. It is good for both recreation and professional use, however, the belt can be small for people with a waist size of more than 40 inches.
Pros
- It comes with a waist belt that is joined to the cord by a reliable clip system.
- Easy-to-adjust waist belt.
- Quick-drying.
- Budget-friendly.
- It can be used for recreation and training.
Cons
- The largest waist size is 40 inches.
Drag Belt Swim Resistance Cords
(Best Budget)
It is cool to have many options when it comes to training. You can enjoy much versatility with the Drag belt swim resistance cords and can be used by adults and kids. It comes with a loop and a parachute. You can decide to use any of the two, anchoring the belt using the loop or perform resistance swimming with the parachute, and improve your strength.
Every part of the cord, the loop, parachute, and belt, is detachable, thanks to durable hooks on both ends of the cord. The swim cord can also slide around on the belt to improve swimming comfort. The belt also comes with neoprene padding for added comfort and Velcro strap for easy adjustability. The product comes with a mesh bag.
Pros
- It offers more versatility.
- It comes with a Velcro strap for easy adjustment.
- The waist belt is padded for comfort.
- The parts are removable.
- The swim cord can slide around the belt to improve convenience.
Cons
- Waist belt circumference is small.
Stillswim Stationary Tether/Belt Swim Cord
(Best for Beginners)
Having a good swimming posture means you will use less energy and force more powerful strokes while swimming. The Stillswim stationary swim tether can help you improve your swimming posture thanks to its innovative belt design. It is designed to hold on the waist and pass between the legs, looking just like a harness. The belt can reach up to 56 inches in circumference, however, it doesn’t come with a buckle.
Apart from the belt design, the cord doesn’t come with a loop but a rope. This is quite good as it allows you to fasten the rope on any strong object. You really don’t need a pole. The tether is 6 feet long which makes it a good choice for wet exercises.
Pros
- It is ideal for long pools.
- It has a unique, innovative belt that improves swimming posture.
- It can be used by both sexes and all ages.
- The belt is adjustable and wide.
- It comes with a rope instead of a loop and can be tied to almost anything.
- It is lightweight.
Cons
- The waist belt is less comfy.
StrechCordz Long Belt Slider Swim Cord
(Best for Swim Training)
If you are looking for a long stretch cord for wet exercises in big pools, then you should purchase this product. The StretchCordz long belt slider swim cord is unique for its cord which can reach up to 20 feet unstretched. When fully stretched, it can attain up to 20 meters, hence, it poses as the best to improve your strength and acceleration. It comes with a 30-day warranty.
The product is sold in four color combinations which represent the resistance (or tautness) of the cord. Silver has the lowest resistance, yellow, green and red are in-between and black has the highest. The cord is attached permanently to the waist belt and can move freely around it. To provide comfort and prevent marks, the belt comes with a neoprene cushioning.
Pros
- It comes with a long cord, reaching up to 20 feet.
- 30-day warranty and a safety cord.
- It is available in different levels of resistance.
- The waistband is well-padded for comfort.
- The cord is freely attached to the waist belt.
Cons
- The parts are non-removable.
YYST Pool Training Leash Belt Swim Cord
(Best Value for the Money)
Here is another swim cord with a long swim tether, this time, from the YYSTT brand. The swim cord is ideal for wet and in-pool exercises to improve your endurance and strength. It has a cord of about 6.6 feet long and a resistance that falls in the midrange. It can be used for professional and recreational purposes by kids and adults.
The bungee cord is sturdy and coated with polyethylene for extra durability. It has a webbing loop on one end and a waist belt on the other. The belt features a quick release and can be adjusted to fit almost any waist. It is also padded with neoprene to improve comfort even if worn for long. In addition, a mesh bag is included for portability and storage.
Pros
- It comes with a storage mesh bag.
- Long swim tether for big pools.
- The waist belt is adjustable to a circumference of 44 inches.
- Polyethylene-coated cord for extra durability.
Cons
- No warranty.
Super Swim Tether Belt Swim Cord
(Best With Large Waist Circumference)
The Super Swim belt swim cord is a unique product on this list. It doesn’t come with an elastic tether but relies on its rod for resistance. The rod is made from fiberglass and you need to install it into its stainless base on the deck of the pool and attach the rope to the rod.
The rope has a belt attached to it. The belt comes with a Velcro strap which makes it adjustable for almost all waists. It has a circumference of 64 inches.
Pros
- The parts are durable and corrosion-resistant.
- It comes with a comfy waist belt.
- The waist belt has a big circumference of 64 inches.
Cons
- It cannot be used outside a pool and without its rod.
- It may not be easy to install.
YYST Bungee Training Tether Belt Swim Cord
YYST Bungee training tether belt is a fantastic bungee cord for swimming, a good choice for kids and adults. The swim cord can perform excellently for wet and dry training sessions. When you purchase the swim cord, you get a waist belt, a loop, the swim cord and a nice storage mesh bag to add. The cord is lightweight and super strong to withstand any form of tension.
With a length of 6.5 feet, you have more than enough to perform any exercise. It has a sturdy loop to help you hold fast to poles. The waist belt is friendly, coming with neoprene padding to enhance comfort. Impressively, the adjustable waist belt can reach a circumference of 44 inches. The belt uses a simple and strong buckle.
Pros
- The belt can accommodate a waist circumference of 44 inches.
- The manufacturer included a mesh bag for portability.
- The cord length is 6.5 feet.
- Neoprene-cushioned waist belt for great comfort.
- The waist belt is fitted with a reliable, easy buckle system.
Cons
- The elasticity may be too much for swimmers.
StrechCordz Short Belt Swim Cord
(Best for Dry Exercises)
With the StretchCordz short belt swim cord, you can turn your backyard pool to an efficient training facility. The product has a short cord of about 4 feet and is best for light, dry exercises such as resisted walking or the chest fly technique with the product. The product is available at different resistance levels which are indicated by colors. The product comes with a loop and a 2-inch wide waist belt.
The green version has the lowest resistance, red in the middle and the black is tauter. The belt is adjustable and has a large maximum circumference of 44 inches. It features a safety cord together with the swim cord. It doesn’t have removable or replaceable parts. However, its availability in different resistance and versatility should make it appealing.
Pros
- It can be used in small pools or for dry exercises.
- It is available in different resistance levels.
- It comes with an adjustable waist belt.
- Wide belt circumference.
Cons
- The parts are non-removable.
- The waist belt is less comfortable.
Reliable Outdoor Gear Swimming Belt Cord
(Best With Parachute)
The Reliable outdoor gear swimming belt cord is one of the best swim tether available, thanks to its long bungee cord of about 7 feet. This makes it the best training gear to improve your strength for an upcoming event such as the Olympics or Triathlon.
It offers some bit of versatility as it comes with a parachute and can be attached to poles for static swimming. The product is lightweight. It features a removable belt made from nylon. The belt comes with a Velcro strap that can be adjusted to a maximum width of 38 inches.
Pros
- It has a long bungee cord.
- It comes with a parachute.
- It is lightweight.
- The belt is adjustable.
Cons
- Small belt circumference.
Meanhoo Swim Training Belts Cord
(Best With Long Cord)
The Meanhoo belt cord is a simple training accessory for any professional swimmer. It has the longest bungee cord on this list, reaching up to 9 feet without being stretched. It is made from quality materials for durability.
Each end of the cord comes with a hook. The product comes with a waist belt that has a Velcro strap that allows easy adjustment. It is lightweight and also comes with a mesh bag for portability.
Pros
- The belt comes with a Velcro strap.
- It has a very long cord of about 9 feet.
- The parts are removable.
- Lightweight.
- It comes with a mesh bag.
Cons
- No warranty.
Swimming Cords Buying Guide
Cord Resistance
The major property of a swim cord is its elasticity. Elasticity varies from product to product. Ideally, if you are a beginner, you should start with a less elastic band to avoid injuries. Before you decide in which to go for, ensure that the tautness of the swim tether is what you can manage.
Cord Length
The length of the swim cord is important too. It determines which type of exercise you can perform with them. Short cords will perform excellently for dry (out-of-pool) exercises such as triceps improvement and resisted walking. The longer cords will do just fine in pools for almost all wet exercises. You have much distance to work far from the loop.
Comfort and Size of the Waist Belt
Your comfort during the entire training session is determined by the waist belt. The waist belt should fit properly, hence, you should try putting it on before you purchase them. Similarly, the waist belt should be made from or cushioned with soft materials to ensure maximum comfort and prevent marks or injuries.
Additional Features
Apart from the first three criteria, swim cords also come with other important features you may want to consider. Some swim cords come with removable parts such that replace worn out parts. Some products come with parachutes, allowing you to perform resistance swimming and, ultimately, build your speed. Other features you may want to enjoy include warranty and the presence of a storage bag.
How to Use Swim Cords?
As simple as a swim cord can be, it can perform a great job when you need to stay in shape or rehabilitate your body. With swim cords, you can conveniently improve your technique both on land and in water. You can increase your endurance and also build your strength. Interestingly, it is an effective low-impact training gear for those afraid of catching an injury.
Swim cords vary in elasticity, hence, you should always start with the more elastic ones before moving to the less elastic ones. Swim cords mostly come with a loop and waist belt. The loop is to attach the cord to a strong object and the waist belt to the waist as in the case of dry exercises or static swimming. Some swim cords allow you to replace the loop with parachutes so you can perform resisted swimming.
Performing Swim Cords Exercises to Improve Your Swimming
Before you begin any training session, ensure that your swim cords are free from marks or cracks. You may also check frequently during the training session. If your swim cord snaps, you may injure yourself pretty bad or the next person beside you. There are two types of exercises you can perform with swim cord:
- Dry exercises
- Wet exercises
Top 6 Dry Exercises With Swim Cords
Dry exercises, the name suggests, doesn’t need you to use the pool. In a nutshell, there is no contact with water. To you swim cords for dry exercises, you may need to hook the cord in a strong pole or any other strong object.
Dry exercises are mainly used to improve your technique and workout your body. Below are some dry exercises you can perform with a swim cord.
1. Butterfly stroke exercise
To start with, hook the swim cord on a pole such that it fulcrums around the pole. Hold the ends in your hands and move far away from the pole, creating a tension on the rope. Bend your waist forward and put down your head.
This exercise simulates your regular butterfly stroke. Stretch your hand far from your head, pulling the cord. Just like the butterfly stroke, pull down your arms to your sides. Do not forget to spread your palms for the pull phase and point out your elbows.
2. Triceps improvement
To perform this exercise, hook the midline of the cord on a foot. Hold the handles on both hands. Put your elbows on your sides and pull the cord just like you are carrying a dumbbell. The focus is your triceps, hence, remember to squeeze them in every stroke.
3. Breast-stroke technique
Hook the cord on a pole and position yourself just like you did for the butterfly stroke (bend your waist and put down your head). Keep your elbows high and replicate the breaststroke with the cord in your hand.
4. Single-arm exercise
This exercise is similar to the butterfly stroke exercise. While the butterfly moves the two arms at the same time, the technique requires you to move your arms alternatively.
5. Chest fly technique
Unlike the butterfly stroke exercise, this exercise requires you to stand upright. Hold the cord in front of you, each handle on one hand, and keep your arms straight to your chest level. Pull the cord by outstretching your arms to your side but rep your arms straight and parallel to your shoulders.
6. Reverse fly technique
This is quite similar to the chest fly technique. However, the swim cord is positioned at your back.
Performing Wet Exercises With Swim Cords
You may also use wet swim cords in the pool. Wet exercises can help you improve your strength and endurance. Most wet exercises are done by tying the rope around you and the other end to a pole outside the pool. You move into the pool and swim against the resistance of the swim cord. This way you can improve your swimming speed and endurance. Always ensure you have a coach around you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It’s pretty impressive to see you reading and scrolling carefully down to this section. Do you have any questions? Here are some frequently asked questions to help answer those pressing questions.
Swim Network Overview
Static and effective workout is one of the things you enjoy in a swim cord. Just by staying on a spot, swim cords can work well for those interested in increasing their speed. With a swim cord, you can monitor and study your swimming technique and posture, giving the chance to make the necessary adjustment where necessary. You can also improve your strength with these lightweight, elastic cords.
Understanding how tasking it can be to find and settle for the best swim cords, I have made available the top 10 swim cords to consider in 2020. Each product was well-researched, reviewed and their full features included in the review, alongside their pros and cons.
From my research, the TYR Aquatic Resistance Belt Swim Cord is the best swim cord available. Aspiring swimmers can start with the smart Stillswim Stationary Tether/Belt Swim Cord. The StretchCordz Long Belt Slider Swim Cord is ideal for professional swimmers. The Drag Belt Swim Resistance Cords ranks as a budget-friendly option.
Have you purchased any of the swim cords on my list? Do you have remarks or comments to make? Kindly drop them in the comments section below. You can also share this article with friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, and other social platforms by clicking on any of the buttons below.
