HI all. I need help deciding what paddles to use. I just bought TYR Catalyst paddles size S. I am a male, 23 years old, weigh 150 and swim about 3-4 times a week. I would say that I am intermediate. Basically, I feel that the paddles provide too much resistance for me. Although, the Small size is what it recommened. I have no experience with paddles so I am un sure of how they are suppposed to feel. I am afriad that if I move a size smaller, my hands might be slightly too big for it. The XS is recommended for for males and females 11-12 years old. I am in a bind so any help would be appreciated!!!! Regards, Cliff :)
I think one of the misconceptions and misueses of paddles is that of "strength building". Certainly that can be accomplished to some degree, however I see far more benefit in their aability to enhance stroke corrections.
I've been using the TYR paddles for a couple of years now and have a bit of a love hate thing going on with them. The hate part comes from the fact that these paddles can seduce you into ripping a really fast/hard pull set and create the exact problems Matt describes. My wife is a good example, she has minimal rotation and needs to work on higher elbows, amazingly with a set of these paddles she pulled a 3:06 300 free the other morning (she would swim that about 10 seconds slower).
The love part for me came after quite a bit of time spent on focusing in on body rotation, arm extension, high elbows, etc. These oversizeed paddles allow me to enter and extend with a "floating" sensation and get an incredible feel of the exact rotation we all aspire to. Interestingly enough I've been able to increase my DPS and lower my stroke count even more.
I think one of the misconceptions and misueses of paddles is that of "strength building". Certainly that can be accomplished to some degree, however I see far more benefit in their aability to enhance stroke corrections.
I've been using the TYR paddles for a couple of years now and have a bit of a love hate thing going on with them. The hate part comes from the fact that these paddles can seduce you into ripping a really fast/hard pull set and create the exact problems Matt describes. My wife is a good example, she has minimal rotation and needs to work on higher elbows, amazingly with a set of these paddles she pulled a 3:06 300 free the other morning (she would swim that about 10 seconds slower).
The love part for me came after quite a bit of time spent on focusing in on body rotation, arm extension, high elbows, etc. These oversizeed paddles allow me to enter and extend with a "floating" sensation and get an incredible feel of the exact rotation we all aspire to. Interestingly enough I've been able to increase my DPS and lower my stroke count even more.
