I know fins are good training tool, take some of the pressure off my sore rotator cuff, and do improve my kick after even a couple laps. But the Speedos I have feel really heavy. I'm small, and am looking for fins that won't weigh me down so any suggestions would be appreciated.
I can see wearing fins to reduce the strain on your shoulders, but is there any reason to use them otherwise? Other than to go faster, that is. Whenever I've worn fins I definitely go faster, but it doesn't seem to make me work my legs harder and I also wonder if the fins affect kicking technique.
Agreed. I do see a benefit to fins for the dolphin kick, but definitely not as much for the freestyle. Even if you do manage to strengthen your leg muscles using fins, I have observed that swimmers who use fins on a regular basis tend to have a slower kick rate. Additionally, the structure of the kick changes - as I mentioned earlier - with the tendency towards a bent-knee, wider style of kick. You can actually see this quite clearly in the review video posted above at about 1:47.
Many coaches tend to prescribe fins for beginner swimmers who have trouble completing specific drills. Personally, I think this is simply taking the easy way out. Instead of adjusting the drill to allow these swimmers to strengthen their kick and their core unaided, putting the fins on is a quick way to make the swimmer feel faster and allow the practice to proceed without interruption or additional coaching.
Bottom line: use fins - or any other swim tools - sparingly!
I can see wearing fins to reduce the strain on your shoulders, but is there any reason to use them otherwise? Other than to go faster, that is. Whenever I've worn fins I definitely go faster, but it doesn't seem to make me work my legs harder and I also wonder if the fins affect kicking technique.
Agreed. I do see a benefit to fins for the dolphin kick, but definitely not as much for the freestyle. Even if you do manage to strengthen your leg muscles using fins, I have observed that swimmers who use fins on a regular basis tend to have a slower kick rate. Additionally, the structure of the kick changes - as I mentioned earlier - with the tendency towards a bent-knee, wider style of kick. You can actually see this quite clearly in the review video posted above at about 1:47.
Many coaches tend to prescribe fins for beginner swimmers who have trouble completing specific drills. Personally, I think this is simply taking the easy way out. Instead of adjusting the drill to allow these swimmers to strengthen their kick and their core unaided, putting the fins on is a quick way to make the swimmer feel faster and allow the practice to proceed without interruption or additional coaching.
Bottom line: use fins - or any other swim tools - sparingly!
