Training aid apparatus and method for swimming

Abstract

A training aid apparatus for swimming includes a cord with first and second ends and first, second, and third cord retention devices positioned on the cord. Each of the cord retention devices includes a through hole that receives the cord twice so as to define first, second, and third loops in the cord. The second and third loops may be secured to the legs of a swimmer such that when the swimmer kicks during swimming, the training aid apparatus limits the maximum vertical and horizontal distances that the legs can move apart from each other. Thus, the training aid apparatus encourages proper kicking form during swimming. The cord retention devices are adjustable so that the limitations imposed on the swimmer's legs can be modified for different swimming strokes.

1 . A training aid apparatus for swimming, comprising:
 a cord including first and second ends;   a first cord retention device having a first through hole, the cord passing through the first through hole twice so as to form a first loop of cord delimited by the first cord retention device;   a second cord retention device having a second through hole, the cord passing through the second through hole twice so as to form a second loop of cord delimited by the second cord retention device; and   a third cord retention device having a third through hole, the cord passing through the third through hole twice so as to form a third loop of cord delimited by the third cord retention device,   wherein the first cord retention device is disposed on the cord between the second and third cord retention devices such that a first intermediate cord section is located between the first and second cord retention devices and a second intermediate cord section is located between the first and third cord retention devices, and   wherein when the second and third loops are secured to each leg of a swimmer, the training aid apparatus limits movements of each leg relative to the other.   
     
     
         2 . The training aid apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first interference member disposed on the cord at the first loop, the first interference member being sized to prevent the first loop from slipping through the first through hole in the first cord retention device.   
     
     
         3 . The training aid apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a second interference member disposed on the cord at the first end, the second interference member being sized to prevent the first end of the cord from slipping through the second through hole in the second cord retention device.   
     
     
         4 . The training aid apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a third interference member disposed on the cord at the second end, the third interference member being sized to prevent the second end of the cord from slipping through the third through hole in the third cord retention device.   
     
     
         5 . The training aid apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second and third cord retention devices may be moved along the cord and re-secured to the cord to adjust the size of the second and third loops for locking the second and third loops in position at a certain location on a swimmer's legs, thereby modifying the maximum vertical distance one leg of the swimmer can kick from the other leg of the swimmer. 
     
     
         6 . The training aid apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first cord retention device may be moved along the cord and re-secured to the cord to adjust the length of the first and second intermediate cord sections, thereby modifying the maximum horizontal distance that the swimmer's legs may be spaced apart while swimming with the second and third loops secured around the swimmer's legs. 
     
     
         7 . The training aid apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first, second, and third cord retention devices each include an outer housing with a housing through hole and a plunger with a plunger through hole, the plunger inserted into the outer housing and biased so that the plunger through hole is biased to move out of alignment with the housing through hole to thereby grip the cord passing through the housing through hole and the plunger through hole. 
     
     
         8 . The training aid apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cord is an elastic cord. 
     
     
         9 . The training aid apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the elastic cord is composed of a core of natural rubber and a nylon outer casing. 
     
     
         10 . The training aid apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a retaining member coupled to the first loop, the retaining member adapted to be coupled to an anchoring device to hold a swimmer in position when the second and third loops are secured to the swimmer's legs.   
     
     
         11 . A method for training a swimmer with a training aid apparatus including a cord having first and second ends, a first cord retention device having a first through hole receiving the cord twice so as to form a first loop of cord, a second cord retention device having a second through hole receiving the cord twice so as to form a second loop of cord, and a third cord retention device having a third through hole receiving the cord twice so as to form a third loop of cord, the method comprising:
 securing a first leg of the swimmer into the second loop with the second cord retention device;   securing a second leg of the swimmer into the third loop with the third cord retention device; and   limiting the maximum vertical distance and the maximum horizontal distance between the first and second legs of the swimmer while the swimmer swims.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 adjusting the second and third cord retention devices to change the position on the first and second legs of the swimmer at which the second and third loops are secured, thereby modifying the maximum vertical distance that the first leg can kick away from the second leg during swimming.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first cord retention device is disposed on the cord between the second and third cord retention devices such that a first intermediate cord section is located between the first and second cord retention devices and a second intermediate cord section is located between the first and third cord retention devices, and the method further comprises:
 adjusting the first cord retention device to change the length of the first and second intermediate cord sections, thereby modifying the maximum horizontal distance that the swimmer's legs may be spaced apart while swimming with the second and third loops secured around the swimmer's legs.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 coupling a retaining member to the first loop; and   coupling the retaining member to an anchoring device to hold a swimmer in position when the second and third loops are secured to the swimmer's legs.