After seeing this on FB multiple times and at 15% off, I took the plunge. Also, my local pool has been closed for resurfacing so I have not been able to swim since the end of March. Using ZEN8 gives one a solid workout! I’ll be interested to see the results when I finally am able to get back in the pool. Also, it arrived quickly and was fairly easy to set up, although getting it fully inflated takes some time. Thank goodness that a pump is included!!
The Zen8 is working out great. It took about 3 15 minute swims to find I can even track distance, SWOLF and time using the swim app on my Garmin 945 watch. I think the Zen8 will let me get a fitness workout without taking time to drive to the pool.
I was excited dor this product since it would be a good training alternative cause the open water is still really cold. In using it, it seems to not keep air in it, is that how it is designed to do? Is is less stable than I thought it would be. Is that how it was designed to be, since in the water one wouldn't be stable? I will keep trying to use it to see if it helps me. The concept is great.
Hey Adam. Sorry to hear about your inner bench. It should hold the air tight, and should not leak. Please email us, and we will send a replacement to you today, free of charge!
The Swim bench is designed to be unstable. the small side to side movements will over time lead to a stronger core and better body control. As you get used to it, you can incorporate single leg workouts (One leg off the ground) or both feet off the floor. This will help improve your streamlined position with time, reducing drag in the water.
Hope this helps.
Best,
ZEN8
I bought to practice prone paddling since I can’t make it to the ocean that often. I would kneel on 2 Bosu balls and paddle on my knees. The bungee chords were a lot tougher than I thought, probably need and easier chord. I swim a lot (9k-11k per week) so not a beginner I only made it 15 minutes the first time! Looking forward to my next session. I don’t have any pictures or videos at this time, but can send something later. Thanks, Charles
The workouts are very productive and efficient. I wasn’t expecting much from the trainer. However, I was proven wrong. The workouts are exactly what is neede and I’m very confident about my first Tri this summer.
The standard cords brake, I use them form 30-40 minute sets and have had 2 sets snap. The second set were a replacement so can’t complain about them.
Great, well fitting goggle. The Z1 looks the part and certainly feels comfortable. Love the fact that the nose piece is adjustable - this is something that I look for in a pair of goggles. Slight downside, the fitting is a little loose - it won't come off when the goggles are on, but they may slide out when putting them on/taking them off. Other than that, great goggles, and they fit my eye sockets perfectly.
Enjoy swim specific training on days I can’t get to the pool or I want to add a strength/swim/upper body workout to training. Trainer helps visualize the high elbow swim stroke and building muscle memory. Already have noticed a difference in the pool as I am more aware and able to notice my high elbow catch mechanics. More powerful stroke with just technique improvements.
The ZEN8 swim trainer is exactly what it says on the tin and more. Like many triathletes, finding time to swim is not always easy while trying to balance work, family life and fitting in the other training hours that are needed to be fast.
This does it all, it has meant that I have actually become a faster swimmer while swimming less. It's easy to fit a quick 20 to 40 minute session into the day before work or before an evening run or ride. The online workouts are effective and easy to follow, and you see the results quickly when you get in the water. It will help you develop your catch, pull and push phases of your stroke and depending on the workout, can increase you core strength.
Also, the after sales service is A++. When I had an issue with a part, a quick email conversation was started and replacement sent.
Although nothing replaces being in the water and trying to breathe, ZEN8 has definitely helped me improve my stroke and enabled me to slowly analyze exactly what I'm doing wrong with each portion of the stroke. It is helping me build shoulder strength and it is the best for, the price, to help with swimming when you can't get into the water. It stores easily and can be quickly set up and broken down and put away. I wish I had ordered ZEN8 months ago when I first saw it.
LVL 2 Swim Cords by ZEN8 | Swimming Paddles for Dryland Swim Training
can’t not give a review have not received item ordered..
ZEN8 Indoor Swim Trainer for Triathletes Swimmers & Surfers
Really like it but would appreciate more full length videos - current guides more text based and this makes it a little harder to use initially
First session with my new Z1 goggles and I was very impressed. The smaller nose bridge, with the ingenious replacement mechanism, soon gave me the perfect fit, a leak free swim and a very comfortable fitting. Brilliant! My new preferred goggle and they look amazing.
I’ve only used this a handful of times, but so far, it’s great. Very informative videos. Easy setup. Will definitely use often.
Zen8 is a good alternative for the pool when you don't have time to go there, and also really helps to be aware of the catch
Great to hear Rob! Glad you like it. We are sure you've seen this video: https://www.zen8swimtrainer.com/blogs/tips/perfecting-the-catch
If not, Kieran explains the catch and how we can improve it really well.
Happy training!
Ultimately this bit of kit can be replicated with other bits of kit, Tubes and a bench for a lot less money, but where the Zen8 is clever is in the small details, the single handles with paddles attached to aid catch, and the slightly unstable ‘bench’ to promote core and postural strength, Come together for a far more realistic experience.
I purchased the Zen8 having read a few reviews, I have been using it about three weeks and I am feeling the benefits as I didn't have much upper body strength, so open water swimming was a bit of a challenge against the current, feeling the benefits, buts early days.
Ich glaube, erst durch den ZEN8 Swimtrainer habe ich den hohen Ellbogen wirklich verinnerlicht, das macht sich bereits im Pool bemerkbar. Meine Schwimmmuskulatur ist in den wenigen Wochen Training deutlich kräftiger geworden, durch Athletiktraining habe ich das bisher nicht erreicht. Und außerdem: im Gegensatz zum klassischen Trockentraining mit einem Zugseil macht es mit dem ZEN8 Trainer wirklich Spaß, ich trainiere gerne damit. Klasse Produkt, kann ich jedem Triathleten empfehlen!
I have been using swim cord bands as additional swim training for personal training and coaching. However, since Covid hit and forced lockdowns, I have been looking for swim specific training tool in the market as the swim cord approach has, unfortunately, had multiple gaps:
I find that core engagement and streamlined horizontal positioning are neglected. So then the next solution is combining the swim cord and a bench or yoga ball; the next challenge that occurs with the bench plus cords compo is that the bench is a stable platform, and it's hard to engage the core facing down a stable platform. Finally, the yoga ball is unstable. However, you are in a streamlined horizontal position.
The zen8 swim bench plus the swim cord checks both core engagement and streamlined horizontal position concerns. It is imbalanced, activating my core while on it and firing up every muscle for a better-streamlined horizontal position with every stroke.
Great indoor swim trainer/improver, builds strength and improves ability with online coaching, ideal if you have limited or no access to a local pool and it is to cold to go open water swimming.
Has helped my swimming technique tremendously!
Wow, since the Covid pandemic started, I have incorporated dry swims to my training. I used a Halo swim bench (great for high arm catch practice). Although this was a great tool, I had limited core engagement or feedback. If the catch was off, I might disturb a swim trmplate. With the Zen8 bench, my core is engaged. Feedback has been recieved real time as stroke deficencies will challenge my ballance of I start to scrape the floor. Very portable device. GREAT JOB!
