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In the sport of triathlon, there is no question which sport most people have trouble with. Outside of swimming, cycling, and running, swimming causes the most problems for people by far. Whether it’s terrible form, anxiety in the water, or poor upper body strength, any weakness in swimming is tripled. If you have poor running form, you can still get by; even more so with cycling. If you’re a lousy swimmer, this will make you fight against the resistance of the water much more than necessary. It’s not uncommon to see super athletes knock out marathons with ease without being able to swim two laps in the pool without stopping.

Aside from getting a little swim coaching to help correct your form, there may be something else that can make the difference between giving up midway through the swim or finishing strong with energy to spare for the next two events of the race. .

If you’re a poor swimmer or newcomer to triathlon, listen to this… you MUST buy a wetsuit if you plan on competing. A good wetsuit will allow full range of motion in the shoulders, chest, and legs while providing maximum buoyancy. When you float higher in the water, you’ll go faster and save energy, period.

So now you know you need a wetsuit, but what type, what brand, when should you wear it, and how much should you spend?

USAT guidelines state that everyone can wear a wetsuit if the water temperature is 78 degrees or below. You can wear a wetsuit if the temperature is 79-84 degrees, but it will not be eligible for prizes. Any temperature of 85 degrees or higher, wetsuits are not allowed.

So if the water level is 78 or below, wear a wetsuit, even on a short distance sprint. You will be much faster in a wetsuit and save energy. Of course, you also have to deal with taking it off in transition-1 to the bike, but if you have a lot of practice, it will more than make up for the extra time in transition.

For those who are not strong swimmers, wetsuits can (and should) give them more confidence. Have you ever tried swimming underwater in your wetsuit? If not, try it sometime. You’ll pop like a cork! This is great for someone who is afraid of drowning.

Second, make sure you have a tri suit. It’s fun to see people wearing their body board, surf or even their SCUBA wetsuits. These are not made for our sport. So don’t look in the garage for your old wetsuit, that won’t work. These are too thick and will limit your mobility and speed in the water.

Third, it doesn’t really matter which brand you get. The main concern is whether or not it fits. You can spend all the money in the world on the best wetsuit, but if it doesn’t fit you, it will set you back. It should be snug, but it shouldn’t restrict your breathing or choke you around your neck. Too loose and water will get in and slow it down. If you try one brand and it doesn’t work for you, try another. With so many options, you’ll find one that fits.

Fourth, I like the full arms style of wetsuits. He used to have a long johns style, meaning he had long legs, but no sleeves. I thought long sleeves would limit my stroke, but they don’t. In fact, according to the manufacturer (Quintana Roo), long sleeves actually help you go faster because they increase the water that “traps” your arm as you go. It’s really up to you which type you get. Just try a few and see which one you like best.

Finally, triathlon is a very mental sport. If that carbon fiber frame makes you think you’re going faster, you are. If your new running shoes make you think you’re going faster, you do. And if your wetsuit makes you think you’re going faster, you do.