Pull Buoy Meaning in Swimming

A pull buoy is a foam flotation device placed between a swimmer’s thighs during practice. This tool keeps the legs afloat without kicking to allow total focus on the arm stroke. By isolating the upper body, athletes can build arm strength and improve their pulling technique through the water. It also helps maintain a flat and streamlined body position while the legs remain still. An athlete uses a yellow pull buoy to complete a four-hundred-meter freestyle training set. Using this device prevents the hips from sinking while the swimmer focuses on their high elbow catch. Coaches assign pull sets to increase the endurance and power of the shoulders and back muscles. Proper use of the buoy leads to a more efficient and stronger overall swimming stroke.