Where to shop for "fitness" swimsuits? - YouLookFab Forum

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Where to shop for "fitness" swimsuits?

Chris987

Veteran

I just bought a 10-visit pass to a nearby fitness that has a large pool and a variety of water exercise classes, open swim time, plus a few other land-based workout classes. I want to try a little of everything, perhaps even lap swimming which I have not done in years but used to love. I don't currently own a bathing suit suitable for any of this. I want a simple basic one piece with underwire bust support and a slightly high leg opening, with either a short torso length or adjustable straps, one meant for active swimming.

Angie posted about four years ago on one-piece bathing suits and recommended Nordstrom, Lands end, Bare necessities, Zappos, and jcrew as sources. Here is her posting:
https://youlookfab.com/2014/04.....swimsuits/
I will definitely check out those brands, except I'll skip Jcrew since their clothing rarely fits me.

Has anyone found additional good sources since then? The people at the fitness center recommended H20wear.com and I have started looking there (hurrah for their short torso styles!). Everything But Water is in one of my local malls but their suits seems to all be more fashion styles than fitness styles.

Would love to hear any and all recommendations for where to look. I'm totally ok with online shopping.

Thanks!

Shopping

21 replies

Latest reply was from Chris987

Greyscale

Veteran

You might also try Athleta, and running or sporting goods store like REI. I used to just buy my suit at the swim center but there are not usually underwire options.

rebekahphoto

Veteran

ll bean has some good basics for swim in a variety of sizes, swimsuits for all online also

ClaraT

Veteran

In my experience, suits that are made for lap swim (which is what I'd call a fitness suit) don't have some of the features you want i.e. adjustable straps and underwire, since these chafe when you do a longer (>.5 mile) swim. Those features are more often seen in what is termed "recreational swimwear" (just noting this as it can be helpful to have the correct key words).
I swim regularly with women of all shapes and sizes, and the classic speedos or modest speedos (or should I say speedo-style) are the most popular. I love Athleta, as mentioned by Greyscale, but I do not like their lap swim/one piece suits. Swim Outlet and Amazon have a huge variety (and you may be able to search by feature)(see, e.g. https://www.swimoutlet.com/wom.....ear-c9469/). The Swim Outlet interface doesn't look classy, but their products are just fine
If you want underwire, LandsEnd has a good variety and a lot of sizes (but they do not have small sizes--their smallest ones are too big for me, so that just depends on you). In the water aerobics class that is after lap swim, some women (n=about 3) wear sports bras under their swimsuits if they are busty. I've never done the class nor do I have a big bust so YMMV. Hope this helps.

JAileen

Veteran

I have a Lands End suit. It looks like a one piece but isn’t. I like that because I have a long torso. It has underwire.

Runcarla

Veteran

What Ciara T said. I swim 2-3K 2 x per week in a SPEEDO. The ENDURA fabric wears like iron. My preference is for the racer back. I get them at an all purpose sporting goods store in my locale called Sport Check.

If you are just experimenting, Lands' End seems pretty good.

Toban

Veteran

I order from swimoutlet.com for lap swimming. I am a fan of the Speedo Endurance line, especially with the hydro bra. The shirred version is very flattering and supportive and works fine for lap swimming.

Style Fan

Veteran

Reading this with interest. I only have fashion suits. It never occurred to me to wear a sports bra under a suit. What a great idea!

Zibbets

Veteran

You have gotten lots of good advice already. I just wanted to chime in to say that in my area the place to go for fitness swimsuits is a shop that supplies all of the local school and neighborhood swim teams with suits. If you want a b&m store where you can try things on, you may want to look for a similar place in your area.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lands End is probably going to be your best bet.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I wish I could find a good fitness suit! I’m very busty, so I think my fit issues might differ from yours. I prioritize keeping my top immobilized and covered. I’ve used the exercise bra under the suit option and it’s ok—my dissatisfaction is with ease of getting into the bra—I chose an over-the-head style to minimize hardware and I get stuck when trying to get in and out of it. A better option for me has been wearing a bikini top (good secure fit) under a rash-guard for modesty. I don’t lap swim a ton of distance, but I do a lot of aggressive water sports and spend a lot of time in the water. I buy bra-sized swim components from bare necessities.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Chris, I think once you know what brand and style fits you best, you can go to Swimoutlet.com, which is a great resource. But till you know what you're really after, I think it's best to try them on in person and get the help of knowledgeable sales associates if at all possible. Usually the best bet is a local independent shop that caters to swimmers. The one I shop at has not only the suits for racing and lap swimming but also the recreational styles that you are after. You might ask at your new gym to find where the lifeguards or swim instructors shop for their suits.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I can't help with resources here but I thought I would put in another vote for considering the sports bra approach. I wear an aquatic (water suitable) bra with a rashie over the top. The bra is a simple pull on style. Apparently women who play water polo wear them. I agree with EmilyK that it can be a little difficult to get on and off, but I find that with my rashie too. The trade off is that it feels very supportive.

Sheila

Veteran

For lap swimming in a pool I like a chlorine-resistant, no-nonsense tank suit. There is a fabric called ‘Krinkle’ that wears like iron and never fades or sags.

The styles are pretty basic, but this is what I wear and where I find them online is at a website with kind of a silly name:

http://www.swimandsweat.com

Or...there’s always Speedo and Lands End. But the LE suits I’ve had over the years start to show their age very soon due to the chlorine in the pool.

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks so much everyone for all the great ideas.

Zibbets and firecracker your suggestions
to try a local swim shop is one I can act on immediately...a quick google search with my mornings coffee found exactly such a store nearby and I will go this afternoon and start my reasearch.

The sports bra idea is fascinating and sound very worth considering!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Gah, swimming in a sports bra sounds really uncomfortable to me!

I have a lap suit by TYR (via Zappos) and I love it. It pretty much sucks everything in so much that bra support is not needed. Yet it is not difficult to put on. Some suits are so constricting that I broke out in a sweat simply trying them on.

TYR Atlas Maxfit

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Sal

Veteran

I wear a Speedo Enduro suit and can vouch for it's longevity - very simple and plain.

I think you are onto the right plan though going and finding one at a swim shop.

Lap swimming is great fitness and as we age gentler on our bodies than many other sports.

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Chris987

Veteran

Thanks Janet and Sal!

Vix

Veteran

Hi Chris --

Just adding Title 9 Sports to your list. They have some retail but are more for online shopping. Very detailed descriptions, reviews, and knowledgeable CS. Good 1 year return-for-any-reason policy, too.

Sure love that suit Janet posted!

Staysfit

Veteran

Speedo and TYR suits have always been my staples. I’m a swimmer! I buy them at basic sporting goods stores. If there’s a swim team at your local high school, you may be able to find out where they go for suits.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I’ll add that I probably ordered at least a dozen swimsuits from Zappos — a few were not lap suits but more social swim type suits, so more fashion and less function. Oddly enough sometimes I feel like this suit is more flattering than the fashion-y suits! I’ve come to realize that I like a sporty looking suit on me rather than something more va-va-voom, maybe because I don’t need to play up existing curves more than they already are.

Zappos is great for this kind of thing because there’s such a generous return window (a year!). With swimsuits I know I have to try on at least a dozen to find one that works, so that really helps. I can hold onto one or two promising ones while I keep looking.

Chris987

Veteran

Good to know Janet. I have a similar number (or larger) of required try-ons for shoes and dresses, thanks for the great reminder to not get discouraged