Breaststroke With Pull Buoy vs Without: Which Should You Choose?

Updated November 2026

Breaststroke with pull buoy is a useful drill, but it is not a replacement for full breaststroke. If your goal is to build upper-body strength and fix your arm pull, the buoy wins. If you want to refine your kick timing and body position, swimming the full stroke without a buoy is the better choice. Most swimmers benefit from using both, in separate sets.

Criteria	Breaststroke With Pull Buoy	Full Breaststroke (No Buoy)
Kick used	None; legs stay still between your feet	Full whip kick
Main muscles worked	Shoulders, lats, chest, arms	Legs, hips, core plus arms
Body position feedback	Buoy keeps hips high; less feedback on alignment	Requires balance and timing; more feedback
Best training focus	Pull strength and stroke endurance	Stroke timing and coordination
Intensity for beginners	Lower; easier to hold good form	Higher; technique breaks down quickly

Upper-Body Strength and Pull Power

With the pull buoy clamped between your thighs, your legs are no longer adding propulsion, so your arms carry the full load. Many coaches suggest setting a 25-yard or 50-yard repeat count and focusing on a long, controlled outsweep. Winner: breaststroke with pull buoy for building arm and shoulder endurance.

Kick Timing and Coordination

Full breaststroke forces you to match your kick to your arm recovery. Without the buoy, you feel the glide phase and learn when to drive your heels back. Winner: full breaststroke for timing, because the buoy removes the kick you need to practice.

Body Position and Streamline

The buoy lifts your hips and legs, which can make your upper body feel stable even when your head position is off. That can hide problems. Swimming full stroke exposes sinking hips and an overly high head quickly. Winner: full breaststroke for diagnosing body line, though the buoy is handy for practicing a flat, relaxed stroke pattern.

Session Intensity and Fatigue

Many swimmers find the buoy version easier to sustain for longer sets, since the legs are resting. That makes it a good choice when you want volume without leg burnout. Winner: breaststroke with pull buoy for accumulating training distance at a steady pace.

Pros & Cons

Breaststroke With Pull Buoy

• Isolates the arm pull so you can build strength and endurance.
• Easier to hold good form during longer sets.
• Con: Does not train the kick or the timing between kick and pull.

Full Breaststroke (No Buoy)

• Trains the complete stroke cycle, including kick and glide.
• Exposes body position problems that the buoy can mask.
• Con: Fatigues faster and is harder to keep technically sound at high volume.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose breaststroke with pull buoy if:

• You want to build upper-body strength for a stronger pull.
• You are recovering from a leg injury or want to reduce kick load.
• You need steady volume in a workout without overtaxing your legs.

Choose full breaststroke if:

• You are working on kick timing and the glide between strokes.
• You want to check your head position, hip line and body alignment.
• You are preparing for a race or timed set and need the real stroke.

For a buoy suited to breaststroke-style pull work, consider a View on Amazon. If you prefer a shape that sits comfortably between the thighs, look at a View on Amazon.

If you want more background on the tool itself, see Why Use a Pull Buoy: 6 Benefits for Better Pool Training and How to Use Pull Buoy Swimming: A Step-by-Step Guide for Pool Training. For arm-focused variations, Pull Buoy Swimming Exercises: 6 Drills That Build Your Kick-Free Stroke offers useful drills.

FAQ

Is breaststroke with pull buoy good for beginners?

It can be, because the buoy keeps your legs still and lets you focus on the arm pull. Beginners should still spend time on full stroke so the kick and timing develop together.

How often should I swim breaststroke with a pull buoy?

Many coaches include it in one or two sets per session, especially during strength-focused blocks. Adjust based on how your shoulders feel, and consult a coach or physical therapist if you have shoulder pain.

Does a pull buoy make breaststroke faster?

It does not directly make your full stroke faster. It builds pull strength and endurance, which can support speed when you return to swimming the complete stroke.

Conclusion

Breaststroke with pull buoy is best for building arm strength and endurance, while full breaststroke is essential for timing and body position. Use the buoy for focused pull sets and full stroke for technique work. Combining both across your week gives the most complete result.

Related reading

• Where to Buy Pull Buoy: 5 Places to Find the Right One for Pool Training

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