Instead of the sport of swimming embracing advancements in technology I feel like it is taking a step back. From the top of the sport to local club teams the suit controversy has hit us all.

Don't get me wrong I am all for fair competition, which these new suits do not give, but to ban types of suits that have been around for years is insane. It first started with the Lazar and Blue Seventy Suits being banned and now its all the way down to leg suits. This is crazy, next thing you know we are going to be back to the basic speedo suits that they wore in the 70's.

The only thing that makes banning these suits fair is that not everyone can afford these high tech suits. By banning them it puts everyone on an equal playing field and true talent and hard work is rewarded, without the help of a suit.

It is very upsetting to see a swimmer who has not trained as hard and with less talent beat another swimmer who trains so much harder just because they are wearing the high tech suit compared to the other swimmer.

With these high tech suits it basically all comes down to who has the money to afford them or be sponsored by them. Its great that the sport is advancing but if everyone can't advance together it makes the sport unfair.

The Pike Exercise

After 12 years in the sport of swimming I have never encountered a dry land exercise as hard as the pike. I find myself almost in tears after each set I do and dreading the next set I will have to do. This exercise includes your own balance and a stabilizing ball. This might sound easy but once you try it you will understand the difficulty of this exercise.

Step 1: Grab a large size stabilizing ball, make sure it is filled up enough, and roll out on it so that you ankles are at the end of the ball and your hands are out in a push up position.

Step 2: Curl your abs in to bring the stabilizing ball up to your chest. You should now be in a pike position, just like the divers.

Step 3: Now, with your abs, roll back out into the plank position that you started in.

You should do two sets of 30 for this exercise with no breaks in each set. Its more difficult then you would think people.

This exercise not only works your abs but manages to work your lower back and arms all in one. In swimming these are vital parts. For breaststrokers and flyers you need a strong lower back to lift your upper body. Strong abs will help every swimmer with their turns, rolling in and out of them. While strong and stable arms are also a must.