I remember going to college as a music major. As a double bass player, I was used to borrowing someone else’s instrument. I only got an instrument of my own for the purpose of taking it to college.

I wasn’t in school long before I needed a new instrument. The plywood instrument just didn’t do much to showcase my skills. As a matter of fact, it hindered me. When I got a better instrument, my playing improved markedly.

They’re saying a swim suit can do the same thing for elite athletes. In spite of myself, I couldn’t help but be skeptical. Come on, don’t swimmers win races, not swim suits?

But then I read that of the 41 world records made since late May, When Speedo introduced its new LZR (LASER) suit, 37 were made by athletes wearing the LZR suit. The suit applies science to keep within the rules. The Olympic rules state that you can’t make a swimmer more bouyant. Speedo instead makes the swimmer smaller by compressing the areas of the body more prone to drag. Ah, the dreaded form drag, where your body actually works against you to slow you down in the water. This LZR suit addresses that issue, and top athletes are trying to wear it, no matter which company they endorse. It’ll be available to the public this fall. I’d like to try it, even though it looks painfully tight.

Remember that Spike Lee Nike commercial?

That’s what they’re saying about this suit.