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've used the TYR Catlyst paddles (size XL) for about 4 years now, and have had no problems. I swim with Sun Devil Masters swim team, and will use them when we have a pull set, occasionally for other long sets.
I think the point to stress is that I don't use them for an entire workout. At the extreme, I'd say more like 1,000 yards (of a 3,000+ workout). Also, on many days, my 'toys' stay in my deck bag untouched.
With the proper coaching, I have experienced some great uses of swimming 'toys' and think it is a great break from just swimming. However, if swimming on your own, I'd use some caution, and start off with short distances, working your way up.
Tim Murphy
Former Member
I agree with Paul's last paragraph. The Tyr paddles
give a great "feel" for core rotation and dps. They have
helped a lot there.
I don't swim hard with them because they will overload
my old joints.
Former Member
Well, Matt I agree that paddles depend upon individual people. When Iwas a kid I swam about 5 seconds with them on in practice than I did at a meet. Some people they might cause problems. I also like history. And when I think about Hannibal I also think about his Roman rival at Zama, Scipio Afrcanius. I'm better a little bit with Roman history than Greek.
Former Member
Note most teenagers and people in their 20's that get injuries are more likely to swim at the pre-national and national level. The reason why is the heavy yardage they do compared to other swimmers. A teenager that only swims strokes at the B to AA level probably has less injuries because of less mileage. Also, college swimmers in division 3 and community college suffer less injuries than Division one swimmers. Note the elite swimmers are more likely to have operations on their shoulders because they are more likley to swim over the 15,000 mark. Paddles might caused some of their injury but yardage over the 10,000 mark certainly can cause injuries.
Former Member
Cynthia,
Ah, too much yardage--another of my pet peeves. But, since I've riffed "eloquent" on that one enough to get flame-mail from the other long time discussion participants, I'll spare you.
Oh and by the way, I think Carthage should be destroyed.
Publius Cornelius Scipio St. Louis
Former Member
I would think that one's optimum use of paddles depends on what one is trying to accomplish. Certainly if one wants to improve stroke technique, caution should be exercised in using them properly (as always I guess) because if used improperly, the point will be missed. But if one uses swimming for fitness especially more so than competetion or a "perfect" technique, I would think the extra resistance they provide would be great for strength building.
Former Member
I used the paddles back in the 1970's in those days they were big and sometimes they hit your risk. I got use to them. The injuries I had was tendencis practicing butterfly heavy but nothing that took me out more than a couple of days. I didn't need shoulder surgey like Amy Van Dyden and Dara Torres and Lenny K did. Also, I think the other extreme can cause shoulder problems, new master swimmers who never swam competely when they were younger, starting out with workouts with 2,000 yards. First these people should use start with something around 500 or 200 yards, more so if they are past 40 years old. Then built up to 2,000 and more. I agree people can misused the paddles.
I totally believe in the use of paddles, it has done alot to help me correct my strokes especially my fly. Figuring out how to swim fly with paddles correctly took me serveral laps to get my rhythm down. Now my stroke looks and feels 100% better.
I have several pairs of various shapes and sizes and each one serves a purpose. I use a smaller flat rectangular speedo paddle for fly and ***. A more curves paddle for back and free. Closer to taper time I have a really small curved speedo paddle smaller than the size of my hand.
At first I only used paddles for freestyle and my improvement was tremendous in the distance events. I had read that Shirley used to use paddles all the time and so did I. I still do, but not as much on freestyle, more on the other strokes.
The key to paddles is to use proper form.
Former Member
Below is what finis writes about thier Freestyler Hand Paddles
Do you think it's true or not?
Patented skeg technology teaches proper freestyle technique with instantaneous results.
The Freestyler is the only hand paddle designed specifically for freestyle. With its unique shape and design, swimmers can improve the more technical aspects of their freestyle stroke during daily training. Benefits such as high elbows, maximum extension, proper hand position and entry will be a natural and instant result of using the Freestyler hand paddle. This patented skeg design uses the same principles of a surfboard. With proper hand entry, the skeg channels the hand forward for maximum extension with every stroke. This paddle is not designed for resistance and strength training, but is intended as a training aid to improve technique and efficiency.
www.finisinc.com/products-tr-handpaddles.shtml
