As a parent, your child's safety is a top priority, especially when it comes to water activities. One popular accessory that can provide buoyancy to young swimmers is a swim belt. These lightweight belts are made of durable materials and have adjustable straps, making them perfect for beginners who may struggle with endurance and strength. Even swimmers can benefit from using swim belts to enhance their performance. To help you out on finding a belt, we've narrowed it down to a few of our top picks for swim belts. We've also included important factors to consider before making your purchase. Keep reading to ensure your child's safety while in the water.
Do Swim Belts Actually Work?
When I was first learning how to swim, my biggest fear was sinking. I can’t even count the number of times I was convinced I was going to go down like the Titanic. So, when I heard about swim belts, I thought they were the greatest invention ever. Who wouldn’t want a device that helps you stay afloat? But the question remains: do swim belts actually work? As a seasoned swimmer now, I’m here to give my opinion.
First of all, let’s break down what a swim belt actually is. It’s typically a foam belt that goes around your waist and provides buoyancy. It’s meant to help beginner swimmers stay afloat while they learn how to swim. So, for those who don’t know how to swim, it definitely does work. It provides the necessary support to keep them from sinking. However, if you already know how to swim, you may not need a swim belt.
Secondly, swim belts can be helpful for certain types of aquatic exercise. For example, if you’re doing water aerobics and need to stay in one place while you exercise, a swim belt can be beneficial. It can also help if you’re rehabbing an injury and need to do low-impact exercises. So, in those cases, swim belts can be effective tools.
However, there are some downsides to swim belts. For one thing, they can give you a false sense of security. If you rely too heavily on a swim belt to keep you afloat, you may struggle when you have to swim without one. It’s important to use a swim belt as a tool to help you learn and build confidence, but not as a crutch.
Additionally, swim belts can be a hindrance when it comes to technique. If you’re relying on the buoyancy of the swim belt to keep you afloat, you may not be learning how to properly engage your core and maintain good body position in the water. This can lead to bad habits that are difficult to break later on.
Lastly, swim belts can be uncomfortable for some people. If the belt is too tight, it can cause chafing and discomfort. If it’s too loose, it can ride up while you’re swimming and become a distraction. It’s important to find the right fit if you’re going to use one.
Buying Guide for Children's Swim Belt
When it comes to teaching children how to swim, swimming belts are preferred over inflatable swim rings due to their durability and ability to be secured tightly around the child’s body.
Unlike inflatable swim rings, which can deflate and offer less stability, swimming belts provide a more secure and safe swimming experience. Therefore, choosing a suitable swimming belt for your child is essential.
Comfort
Choosing a comfortable swimming belt is crucial for enjoying and maximizing its benefits. It’s recommended to select swim belts made of a soft, comfortable material that won’t irritate or rub against your skin. The fit should be cozy but not excessively tight. Adjustable swim belts with buckles or straps can help achieve a personalized and comfortable fit. However, some swim belts may have a universal size that fits most people.
Adjustable size
Individuals come in different shapes and sizes, so it’s advisable to choose a swimming belt that offers adjustable sizing options. While some flotation belts come with fixed straps that are not adjustable, belts having a belt-clip system provide flexibility in adjusting the belt’s size to fit your waist comfortably.
Durability
The durability of a flotation belt is crucial, as it is designed to keep you afloat during swimming activities. A swim floatation belt that easily breaks apart can be hazardous, especially when swimming alone. Therefore, selecting a high-quality and sturdy flotation belt that can withstand regular use and last for an extended period is advisable.
Budget
When selecting a swim belt, it’s essential to consider your budget, as they come in various price ranges. Setting a budget before shopping is best to ensure that the swim belt you choose fits within your financial limits to avoid overspending. It’s worth noting that the most expensive swim belt may not necessarily be the best option. Therefore, prioritize features and benefits that meet your needs while remaining within budget.
Swimming with just using a belt or with armbands as well
The swimming belts provide buoyancy and support in the water. Some kids may benefit from combining them with armbands or arm rings, which also provide additional floatation.
This combination can be particularly useful for children or beginners who are still learning how to swim and cannot keep their head above water. The armbands help keep the body’s upper half afloat, while the swimming belt supports the lower half, providing greater security and confidence in the water.
How We Chose the Best Kids Swim Belt
You want your child to learn to swim and stay safe in the water, but traditional floatation devices are hard for children to use and don’t always provide enough support. Regular lifejackets can be difficult for kids to keep on, especially if they’re playing around or trying to learn the basics of swimming. Worse than that, they can make it harder for children to move around and stay comfortable while they’re learning. Swim belts provide your kids with just the right combination of safety, comfort and support so they can learn how to swim faster and with ease. We've done the research for you to help narrow down to just a few selection of belts designed specifically to help kids manage their posture while staying afloat with minimal effort.
🏅 Bessailer Floatation Swim Belts
Why we ❤️ this belt
The upgraded safer design features a semicircle and close-fitting safety buckle design made from environmental protection PVC material and elastic casing. Moreover, it is quick-drying, waterproof, durable, and lightweight.
💧 features
The adjustable design makes it suitable for adults and children, and the ergonomically designed unique shape provides a comfortable fit without any limitations. The Besailer swim floatation trainer also comes with 100% satisfied customer service to ensure a confident purchase. It is a lightweight and portable option for beginners or kids learning to swim. It can be inflated in seconds without needing a mouth or pump, making it more hygienic.
🥈 Crown Sporting Goods Water Aerobics Exercise Belt
Why we ❤️ this belt
In addition to providing a low-impact workout that’s easy on the feet, this belt provides extra comfort as it consists of EVA foam. This ensures a comfy and flexible fit where it matters most, without any pinching or tight squeeze.
💧 features
It provides a comfortable and safe, low-impact training option for those recovering from injury or seeking to improve their cardio fitness. The product comes in two sizes, each with an adjustable strap and buckle to make sure a customized fit. The SM/M size fits up to a 40” waist, while the L/XL size fits up to a 45” waist. The Crown Sporting Goods belt is designed not only for kids but for individuals looking to incorporate water exercises, water aerobics, aqua jogging, or physical therapy into their workout routine.
🥉 Fstcrt Swim Belt
Why we ❤️ this belt
This swimming belt consists of high-quality neoprene material, which is softer, more comfortable, and warmer than traditional EVA swimming belts. The swim belt features a humanized design with a three-section construction for added convenience and comfort.
💧 features
It has a hidden zipper pocket with a removable EPE lining for easy cleaning and carrying, as well as storing small items while swimming. The swim belt comes in Medium and Large sizes, with adjustable straps and a high-quality buckle that ensures a secure fit. The size “Medium” fits waists from 22.5” to 44.5”, while the size “Large” fits waists from 28.5” to 54”. The Fstcrt is a great piece of exercise equipment for use in the pool. It provides buoyancy and keeps you afloat while you exercise, making it ideal for cross-training, rehabilitative water exercises, and swimming training. Its color is black.
Children’s Swim Belt FAQs
Keeping kids safe in the water is a primary concern. It’s hard to trust that traditional swimming lessons and techniques will keep our children safe while they’re in the pool. The standard methods aren’t enough, so what can you do? Your child could wear floaties, but those aren't the most stylish option for their little swimmer. Introducing swim belts – the perfect, comfortable, and stylish solution to keeping your child safe while swimming! They are made of lightweight materials so that your little one can safely enjoy their time in the water without feeling weighed down or uncomfortable. Learn more by checking browsing through the Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the purpose of using a swim belt?
Swim belts are typically used as buoyancy support to help individuals stay afloat in the water while swimming or participating in water aerobics. They can also be a training tool for beginners or children learning to swim, allowing them to build confidence and improve their swimming skills in a safe and controlled environment.
Swim belts can also be useful for individuals recovering from injuries or those with physical disabilities who may need extra assistance staying afloat in the water.
Can we use swim belts for snorkeling?
It is important to note that swim belts are not specifically designed for snorkeling and do not offer the same level of buoyancy as snorkeling vests or life jackets. Snorkeling vests are made to provide extra buoyancy.
They feature a valve system that allows the user to easily inflate or deflate the vest to achieve the desired level of buoyancy. These vests also keep the user upright, which is important for snorkeling.
What are swimming belts made of?
Swimming belts are usually made of a synthetic rubber material, like polyurethane or other resilient plastic compounds, that add flexibility and durability. The shape of the belt is designed to provide buoyancy while also allowing maximum movement in the water. Some can be adjustable by buckles or clips, so it's easy to adjust for different body types.
Swim belts are an essential tool for beginner swimmers, as they help teach proper technique and form without compromising safety. They keep swimmers afloat during exercise or practice and can aid them if they tire out while swimming long distances. They allow children to learn swimming skills more quickly as they assist with balance in the water while giving parents peace of mind that their children won’t sink too far from shore when playing in shallow waters.
How to select a swimming belt in accordance with size?
First, you will want to determine the size of swim belt that is best for you. For children (under 4 feet tall) you may need a kid's specific sized swimming belt. Measurements should be taken around your waist or chest area (depending on how the belt is designed) to get an accurate measurement of what size fits best. To ensure proper comfort while swimming, it is important to ensure that the buckle fastened around the body sits comfortable and doesn't move during activity; not so loose it easily slides off but not too tight as it cuts into skin or restricts movement when swimming in deep water.
Best Swim Belts for Children
Do swim belts work? The answer is yes, but with a few caveats. Swim belts can help beginner swimmers and those doing aquatic exercise, but they should not be relied upon too heavily. They can give a false sense of security and hinder proper technique if used incorrectly. So, if you’re a beginner swimmer or in need of low-impact exercise, a swim belt could be a helpful. Just don’t forget to put in the work to learn good techniques and don’t let the belt become a crutch.
Moreover, we also shared a few swim belts that can help your kids, providing them with the best swimming experience. So choose one you consider appropriate for your kids and let them enjoy the waters.
Happy swimming!
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