6 Best Pool Training Equipment For Synchro That Top Coaches Swear By
Unlock peak synchro performance with coach-approved tools. We reveal the 6 essential items for building power, height, and perfect technique in the water.
Your child just came home from their first synchronized swimming practice, buzzing with excitement about "eggbeater" kicks and "sculling." You’re thrilled they’ve found a sport that blends athleticism and artistry. But then the equipment list arrives, and you’re left wondering what’s truly necessary versus what’s a nice-to-have.
Equipping Your Swimmer for Synchro Success
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
When your child dives into a new sport, especially one as unique as artistic swimming, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the gear. The goal isn’t to buy the most expensive equipment. It’s to provide the right tools that allow them to learn proper technique safely and build confidence in the water.
Artistic swimming demands an incredible combination of grace, power, breath control, and timing. Unlike competitive speed swimming, where the focus is on propulsion, synchro gear is designed to build core strength, refine body position, and perfect synchronization. Each piece of equipment serves a very specific purpose in that developmental journey.
A brand-new, 8-year-old swimmer needs far less than a 14-year-old training for nationals. The key is to match the investment to your child’s current stage and commitment level. Start with the basics, and add more specialized tools only when the coach gives the green light. This approach supports their progress without cluttering your gear bag or straining your budget.
FINIS Nose Clip: The Unquestionable Essential
Imagine trying to paint a masterpiece while someone is splashing water in your face. That’s what it’s like to attempt synchro without a nose clip. This small, simple device is the most critical piece of equipment your swimmer will own, and it’s non-negotiable from day one.
The nose clip prevents water from rushing into the nasal passages when a swimmer is upside down, a position they are in constantly. This isn’t just about comfort; it’s fundamental to the breath control required for long underwater sequences. Without one, a swimmer’s focus is shattered, and learning even basic skills becomes a frustrating struggle.
While you can find cheap versions, this is one area where a small step up in quality makes a huge difference. Models like the FINIS Nose Clip are designed with a silicone frame and a secure fit that won’t slip off during powerful, fast-paced movements. This is the first and most important purchase to make, ensuring your swimmer can focus on their skills, not on getting water up their nose.
Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Goggles for Clarity
We’ve all been there: the five-dollar goggles from the big-box store that leak or fog up within minutes. For a synchro swimmer, clear and reliable vision is crucial. They need to see their coach for corrections, their teammates for spacing, and specific markers on the pool walls and ceiling for orientation.
In artistic swimming, practice time is precious. A swimmer constantly stopping to empty or defog their goggles misses out on key instructions and disrupts the flow of the group. The focus needs to be on the choreography and technique, not on faulty equipment. This is why a durable, well-fitting pair of goggles is a smart investment early on.
The Speedo Vanquisher line is a workhorse for a reason. It provides a comfortable, leak-proof seal for a wide variety of face shapes and offers excellent anti-fog properties. For a young swimmer just starting out (ages 7-10), the priority is a comfortable fit. As they progress to learning full routines, the reliability of a high-quality goggle becomes essential for team success.
All Pro Ankle Weights for Powerful Eggbeater
You’ll hear the term "eggbeater" a lot. It’s the powerful, alternating leg kick that allows swimmers to stay high above the water’s surface with their hands free for choreography. Developing a strong eggbeater is a cornerstone of the sport, and that’s where training tools come into play.
Ankle weights are an advanced tool for building strength and endurance in the legs. By adding resistance, they force the leg muscles to work harder, making the swimmer’s unweighted eggbeater significantly more powerful and efficient. This is pure, targeted strength training for a core synchro skill.
However, this is not a beginner’s tool. Using weights before the fundamental technique is mastered can lead to improper form or injury. Only purchase ankle weights when a coach specifically recommends them, typically for intermediate or advanced swimmers (often ages 11-14+) who are ready to take their power to the next level. This is a purchase driven by readiness, not by season.
FINIS Foam Pull Buoy for Sculling Drills
Watch an artistic swimmer, and you’ll see their hands are constantly in motion, acting like small, precise propellers. These hand movements are called "sculls," and they are used to propel, support, and lift the body through the water. Mastering various sculls is key to the sport’s signature grace.
A pull buoy is a simple piece of foam placed between the thighs to provide flotation for the legs. This effectively neutralizes kicking, forcing the swimmer to rely entirely on their upper body and sculling technique for movement and stability. It’s a classic drill tool used to isolate and strengthen the arms, wrists, and hands.
Most clubs will have a supply of pull buoys for general use. However, as a swimmer becomes more serious, having their own can be beneficial for practicing on their own time. It’s a versatile piece of equipment that is useful across many skill levels, from late-beginners learning basic sculls to elite athletes refining their technique.
FINIS Tempo Trainer Pro for Perfect Timing
The "synchro" in synchronized swimming is all about timing. Every head snap, arm extension, and leg kick must be executed in perfect unison with every other swimmer and with the music. As routines become more complex, internalizing this rhythm is a massive challenge.
The FINIS Tempo Trainer Pro is a small, waterproof metronome that tucks securely under a swim cap. It emits an audible, adjustable beep, providing a constant rhythmic cue that swimmers can hear underwater. Coaches use it to drill specific sections of a routine, ensuring the entire team is moving on the exact same beat. It trains a swimmer’s internal clock.
This is a specialized tool for dedicated, competitive athletes. A novice or recreational swimmer has no need for it. But for a teen swimmer working to perfect a routine for a major competition, the Tempo Trainer can be the key to transforming a good performance into a great one. It’s a purchase to consider when your child is deeply committed to the competitive side of the sport.
Lubell Underwater Speaker for Routine Practice
As your swimmer gets more involved, you’ll hear them talk about "doing a full run-through." This means performing their entire routine with music, just as they would in competition. But how do they hear the music when they spend half the time underwater? The answer is an underwater speaker.
This piece of equipment is a game-changer for team practices. The speaker is dropped into the pool and broadcasts the music clearly both above and below the surface. This allows the entire team to hear every beat and musical cue simultaneously, which is absolutely essential for achieving true synchronization. Without it, swimmers are essentially guessing the timing.
Parents, you can breathe a sigh of relief—this is a team purchase, not an individual one. You won’t be asked to buy one yourself. Understanding its importance, however, helps you appreciate the complexity of your child’s training and see the value in team fundraising efforts. It’s the tool that brings the "artistic" element of the sport to life during every practice.
Choosing Gear for Your Swimmer’s Synchro Journey
Navigating the world of sports equipment is a journey in itself. The key is to remember that the gear should always serve your child’s current developmental stage, not just the name of the sport. For artistic swimming, think in phases.
- Beginner (First Season): Focus on the non-negotiables. A well-fitting suit, a high-quality nose clip, and a reliable pair of goggles are all that’s needed to start strong and build a solid foundation.
- Intermediate (Developing Skills): Once your swimmer has mastered the basics and is working on building strength and height, a coach may recommend tools like a pull buoy for sculling or ankle weights for eggbeater. Wait for the coach’s direction.
- Competitive (Fine-Tuning Performance): For dedicated athletes on a competitive track, specialized equipment like a personal Tempo Trainer can become a valuable tool for perfecting timing and synchronization.
Ultimately, your child’s coach is your best resource. Always talk to them before purchasing a new piece of equipment. They know your swimmer’s abilities and what tools will best support their next step. Your role is to provide the right gear at the right time, clearing the way for them to focus on the joy, challenge, and beauty of their sport.
Remember, the best equipment you can give your child is your encouragement and support. The gear simply helps them translate their hard work and passion into graceful, powerful movements in the water.