A kickboard is a foam board used as a flotation aid for swimmers to develop their lower body and perfect their kicks. It can be used by swimmers of all abilities and can also be used for upper body work. Different materials are used to make kickboards, and they can be found in gyms with swimming pools. It is important to change kicking styles to avoid fatigue and overworking muscle groups. Kickboards can also be used for core workouts and in physical therapy.
A kickboard is a flotation aid for swimmers. It consists of a foam board that supports the upper part of the body above the water. Swimmers use boards to help develop their lower body and perfect their kicks.
Swimmers of various abilities use kick boards. Beginners can use them to help them gain confidence and balance above the water level. Expert swimmers can use kickboards to work on specific swimming activities like backstroke and breaststroke, as well as freestyle swimming.
Some swimmers may also use planks to work their upper body. Swimming enthusiasts refer to a similar tool for upper body work as a “drag buoy.” To use the board as a tow buoy, swimmers hold the board with their lower body and float on top of it, using their upper body to swim. Others rely on extraction buoy tools specifically for this type of exercise.
Some platforms are equipped with handles for more diverse uses. Others are just a flat plate of foam. Many boards are made with EVA foam, a resistant and waterproof polymer. Others are made with HDPE, a polyethylene thermoplastic. HDPE is a recyclable material and is becoming a popular material choice for many consumer products.
Trainers who want to help clients improve their swimming may recommend the use of an exercise chart, not only to work on isolated leg movements or upper body movements, but also to build endurance. Coaches may recommend stretching or other warm-up or cool-down processes to help prepare swimmers for training tasks such as kickboarding activities. Gyms with swimming pools may have kickboards available for those who may benefit from using them.
According to some expert coaches, it is important to change kicking styles when using a kick board. This is partly to prevent certain types of fatigue that are related to stiffness in the body. Changing styles also helps to avoid overworking muscle groups that may not be used much out of the water. It is also good to wait an hour after eating before starting an aquatic workout.
In addition to the conventional uses for kickboards, some swimmers use them to work the core muscles, the muscle groups that carry the body and support the spine. Working your core is a great way to stay healthy and avoid some types of injuries. Kickboards are also useful in some types of physical therapy because their use can isolate muscle groups. Kickboard activities may be recommended for post-operative patients. Talk to doctors before using skateboards or other equipment after a surgical procedure.
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