Since endurance is a crucial component of open-water, long-distance and triathlon swimming success, it’s essential to increase your threshold through proper training. And NZ Manufacturing is here to help. Our StrechCordz® products can complement your endurance workout and improve your overall performance.

NZ Manufacturing StrechCordz products – engineered for maximum comfort, function and security – have shown to improve stamina, power, stroke and Individual Medley times for international Olympians and novice swimmers. Our StrechCordz Drag Belt/Tow Tether, in particular, helps to increase strength and endurance by using a drag chute. This chute, attached to the swimmer, acts like a weight to provide drag resistance. The resistance causes you to adjust your stroke and stamina, therefore helping to increase your strength and overall endurance. Our drag chute is much safer than using a dumbbell or bucket, and is even compatible with flip turns.

To properly use the drag belt/tow tether, start by performing your normal warm-up laps. Then incorporate a set of laps with this special training tool. As you use the tool on a regular basis, you can begin to slowly build up your number of laps/mileage. When the resistance becomes too easy, simply switch to a bigger tow tether resistance.

Training with the drag belt/tow tether may be challenging at first, but the benefits are worth it. After doing a set of laps with the drag belt/tow tether, you’ll feel faster and more efficient for the rest of your workout. Speaking of workouts, here are three we suggest trying:

Workout #1
Warm-up: 200 yards
Main Set: 1×500 yard
1×400 yard
2×300 yards
1×400 yard
1×100 yard
Kick Set: 4×50 yards kickboard with freestyle kick
Technique: 4×100 yards with tow/drag belt
Cool Down: 200 yards
Total: 3,000 yards or 1.70 miles

Workout #2
Warm-up: 100 yard
Main Set: 2×50 yards
1×100 yard
2×50 yards
2×100 yards
2×50 yards
3×100 yards
2×50 yards
Kick Set: 4×50 yards kickboard with freestyle kick
Technique: 4×100 yards with tow/drag belt
Cool Down: 100 yards Total: 1,800 yards or 1.02 miles

Workout #3
Warm-up: 100 yards
Main Set: 2×50 yards
2×100 yards
3×200 yards
2×50 yards
Kick Set: 8×50 yards kickboard with free style kick
Technique: 8×50 yards with tow/drag belt
Cool Down: 100 yards Total: 2,000 yards or 1.13 miles

Do you have a favorite endurance workout? Use other resistance training methods to increase your threshold? Please share them here!