Product Review: Ameo Powerbreather

I don't do very many product reviews, so you know something's really good when I do recommend it! Today I'm reviewing the Ameo Powerbreather, a swim snorkel, but not like any swim snorkel you've seen before! 

A traditional snorkel is a very useful piece of swim equipment as it allows for a better head & body position which allows you to really concentrate on your stroke (without having to worry about turning your head to breath). The ability to really focus on what you’re doing during the catch and pull phase of the swim stroke is fundamental in learning to swim with an efficient swim stroke. 

So what makes the Ameo Powerbreather different and better than a traditional swim snorkel? The first thing you'll notice is that you have 2 tubes that go either side of your head, rather than the more traditional singular tube that sits in front of your face, this allows for greater visibility when swimming, which can be rather handy when in a busy pool or in open water (yes, you can use it in open water too!).

The next noticeable thing is the special valve system that's attached to the mouthpiece, this allows you to breathe in fresh air each time (so you're not breathing back in expelled carbon dioxide) and this valve system also provides partial resistance when breathing in which strengthens the respiratory muscles. This does take a few lengths to get used to, as initially it does feel slightly awkward when breathing (due to the restriction) but it soon goes and feels 'normal' very quickly. 

I really like the feeling of not worrying about breathing and chasing your next breath, so the freedom to focus on your stroke, whilst also working on the endurance side of training is a big plus of the Ameo Powerbreather. 

My verdict? I really like the Powerbreather, I've added it to my bag of swim tools and it's now a fundamental part of my swim sets. You might get a few odd looks from fellow swimmers or triathletes when you pull this out of your swim bag and strap it on, but you soon get used to that. And........ if it's good enough for Olympic and Ironman World Champion Jan Frodeno, it's good enough for me!