Swim Rant

Nah, I've grown a tough skin. But I am afraid to take off my fins. I did it a couple times last year, and, after pounding out a long freestyle set or springing fly, both times I came down with very painful rotator cuff tendonitis. Physical therapy didn't work for me. I finally got better using ART therapy. Now I can do more butterfly. But I'm scared to leave my fins on the edge of the pool. I'm glad you recovered from your shoulder problems. I know some people that just don't after surgery. Leslie

Is the theory behind using fins that it causes you to use your arms less and thus reduces your chance of shoulder injury?

Yes, fins keeps your hips up and in correct position and noticeably take the pressure off your shoulders. They help me hold my form better during long sets and I can actually swim fly without my rotator cuff muscles swelling right up. Also, if you use the fins to actually kick hard (as opposed to just floating along the surface) it really ramps the cardio workout up. They are also useful for practicing dolphin kicks off the wall and doing certain drills. Mostly, though, I just consider them shoulder savers. After two bouts of horrific tendonitis last year, I would like to have a pain free year in the water. Leslie

I have a nonpropulsive kick when barefoot. With the fins I have motivation to use the legs as they now accomplish something noticeable. The kick eliminates "dead spots" in my stroke and help with rotation so my hands can get to a good catch position quickly. The good catch (not pressing down flat on the water) is important. I also get a more balanced stroke using more than just my arms and torso to swim. Even if I don't kick much, the "longer feet" change my height:width proportions and provide a rudder (evident when pulling backstroke w/ fins left on)

Leslie can you swim in a meet with the fins now that could be an advantage.

Hmm... Good point. I just meant they keep my hips up and I can concentrate on my stroke a bit more. They're mostly shoulder savers. Not sure I could swim at all without them. Some people can't. When I did some research after all my shoulder problems this year, I read that Amy Van Dyken can't swim without fins anymore. Now as to never swimming "properly," I did just win several medals at Worlds. I'm not that bad at swimming. And my times keep improving. Everything's a trade-off. No fins, a breakdown. Mostly fins, ability to swim at some reasonable level.

Yes, fins keeps your hips up and in correct position and noticeably take the pressure off your shoulders. What does this mean, correct position? Using fins puts your body in a different position, not a correct position. If you use fins all the time, or a great deal of the time, you'll never be able to properly swim without them. I will accept you use fins to take pressure off your shoulder but I'm not buying they are useful to put your body in a correct position.

There's one swimmer at the local Y who always wears fins (and a snorkle), and a flowered cap to swim laps. He's at least in his 70's, and started swimming as cardio rehab. He's actually one of the easier people around to share a lane with.

Anna: That's so great! I hardly hear of anyone doing it either. A triathlete friend of mine turned me on to it. It's a miracle. I'm actually going in for a tune up tomorrow after doing some 400 IMs. Ouch! Usually when I say I'm doing ART therapy, people think I'm painting or something. It's the best.

Physical therapy didn't work for me. I finally got better using ART therapy. Leslie, Finally, someone besides me who has undergone ART (Active Release Therapy). I have used it off and on over the past 10 or so years for shoulder and hamstring problems. For soft tissue injuries, it is great. Anna Lea