Here's a question for you guys. Since I've been back in swimming, I've noticed alot more workouts contiaining the use of fins. When I used to swim in high school, we never used them. So really, what is the advantage of using fins during a work out and why would I want to use them? It seems like everytime I turnaround my workout says to kick with fins, or swim with fins. Any input on that would be much appreciated.
Parents
Former Member
In addition to the reasons people have already mentioned, I'd add the following:
- Fins tend to improve your ankle flexibility. There are people (often people who have done a lot of running) whose ankles are so inflexible that they actually cup water and pull them backward as they kick. But when they put fins on, the fins immediately start forcing them to bend their feet down at the ankles as they kick. Eventually they come to the point where their ankles stay that way even when they kick with no fins.
- Fins encourage a narrow, streamlined kick. When people have an ineffective kick, they tend to compensate by flailing with their legs, which creates a lot of drag. To make matters worse, if they practice with a kickboard using the most instinctive kickboard form (i.e., leaning on the board with their head out of the water), this tends to mask the problem because (1) their bodies are already so unstreamlined that a little extra drag isn't all that noticeable, and (2) they move so much slower when they are propelled only by their kick that the drag isn't as noticeable.
I personally use Slim Fins, which I like because of their shape and flexibility. But they are expensive!
Reply
Former Member
In addition to the reasons people have already mentioned, I'd add the following:
- Fins tend to improve your ankle flexibility. There are people (often people who have done a lot of running) whose ankles are so inflexible that they actually cup water and pull them backward as they kick. But when they put fins on, the fins immediately start forcing them to bend their feet down at the ankles as they kick. Eventually they come to the point where their ankles stay that way even when they kick with no fins.
- Fins encourage a narrow, streamlined kick. When people have an ineffective kick, they tend to compensate by flailing with their legs, which creates a lot of drag. To make matters worse, if they practice with a kickboard using the most instinctive kickboard form (i.e., leaning on the board with their head out of the water), this tends to mask the problem because (1) their bodies are already so unstreamlined that a little extra drag isn't all that noticeable, and (2) they move so much slower when they are propelled only by their kick that the drag isn't as noticeable.
I personally use Slim Fins, which I like because of their shape and flexibility. But they are expensive!
