Fist Swimming

RE: Fist Swimming

Muppet — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 11:51:31 GMT

Fist drill serves two purposes as used in my personal drill arsenal; 1) the Catch and 2) Speed. Sounds like the catch part was discovered. When using fists only, you can see how using your forearm is an integral part of the beginning of the underwater portion of your stroke. Also, you can see how important it is to keep your underwater followthrough along the outside of your body. If you find those hands creeping underneath your body, move them out (rotate those shoulders more). The Speed portion of fist drill is purely just getting a feel for how fast the turnover is with fists. Many distance swimmers, like myself, tend to have issues with slow turnover. Using fists, your arms are constantly moving, since your hands sink right in. Kinda makes me feel like I have a prayer at a decent 50 free :)

RE: Fist Swimming

Former Member — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 09:09:28 GMT

use your upper arms and shoulders more to what effect? if the goal was to give myself an arm and shoulder workout, i would go to the gym and do some dumbell work. if i am to swim with a handicap (fist swimming is a handicap) my goal is to find greater efficiency in other areas. certainly catching more water with your forearm would be a positive result.

RE: Fist Swimming

Former Member — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 07:45:51 GMT

I don't use pull bouys or baords either. The other day I had a woman ask me if I was paralyzed because I was doing *** stroke dragging my feet. We had been swiming next to each other for about 15 minutes prior to this incident. I thought the reason to use fists is to use your shoulders and upper arms more.

RE: Fist Swimming

mattson — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 07:05:54 GMT

5 x 400 drills? :confused: Drills are normally done in small doses, so you can concentrate on them. Yardage is done in large doses, so you can go to sleep.

RE: Fist Swimming

knelson — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 06:24:30 GMT

My understanding is fist swimming forces you to use a high-elbow stroke and engage your forearms since otherwise you won't go anywhere. I think it does that and IS useful, but should be used sparingly.

RE: Fist Swimming

Former Member — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 07:31:14 GMT

Fist drill click the little arrow after the arrow turns green www.bodybuilding.com/.../fist.mpg www.triswimcoach.com/.../1172095213.wmv

RE: Fist Swimming

Former Member — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 06:25:11 GMT

i use fist swimming for several purposes: sometimes on the day before a long distance race i will swim with gloves for my entire practice. the purpose is to rest my shoulders and upper body. upon returning to scy training in the autumn (after 3 1/2 months of long course and open water) i use gloves frequently for all four strokes. they help me dial back into the efficiency i try to maintain througout my training. like ande, i don't use kickboards or pull buoys, as they change the center of gravity, and don't help to imprint balanced swimming. gloves, however, force one to not rely so heavily on the arms as the primary source of propulsion....this is good! it is important to swim disciplined sets with gloves ie: swim 25 yds at 13 (14, 15 whatever) strokes per length swim 50 yds at 13 strokes per length etc. do not add distance until you have control of your spl. repeat w/out gloves (using lower stroke count) my stroke count with gloves is typically 1 or 2 strokes per 25 yds higher than without. regards david

RE: Fist Swimming

Former Member — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 15:36:52 GMT

I need to do fist swiimming every once in a while. I have a mild case of Carpal Tunnel. When I do alot constant swimming (like open water) my hand can start going numb. Once I fist swim for a little while, the feeling starts coming back. I know I go slower when I do it but it helps. I think it does have a place in our repetriore of strokes. JIM

RE: Fist Swimming

Former Member — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 15:20:55 GMT

I found that when I used my fists, I had no catch. I never really felt that I was able to properly begin my stroke. That first movement of aligning the hand with the forearm never happened. I did think that fist drills did force me to use my biceps & shoulders more but it was hard to get my arm aligned to use them. Sicne I first posted this, I've stopped and gotten my count back down to 15-17 strokes.

RE: Fist Swimming

Former Member — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 15:04:55 GMT

And now for the other side: I use fistgloves (the lazy man's fist swimming) and find them enormously helpful. I find it to be the fastest way to correct my stroke when I am having "issues" with it. It is the only tool that I use. It does take some getting used to, however. -LBJ

RE: Fist Swimming

Former Member — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 14:23:11 GMT

I think all drills should be either done minimally or not at all. I do not count kicking, catchup or arms only as drills. Allen as far as shoulder pain just a little adjustmrnt in the crawl stroke eg not reaching as far or keeping the hand closer to the body during the catch phase helps.

RE: Fist Swimming

ande — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 10:34:23 GMT

I'm not a fist fan I don't get how it can help me improve. I am a fan of efficiency, dps, dpk, correct body/head position, long smooth arm strokes, streamlining, gliding, sculling, one arm drills and sdk I don't use kick boards, pull buoys or paddles Ande

RE: Fist Swimming

Allen Stark — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 10:19:29 GMT

There are two times I do fist swimming. I do some early in every warm-up to heighten feel for the water. I also will do a few laps any time I feel any shoulder pain as it puts less strain on my shoulder.

RE: Fist Swimming

Michael Heather — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 10:04:33 GMT

As I understand it, the fist drill is supposed to heighten the sensation of using your forearm for propulsion. By doing so, it also ensures correct placement of the hand (and forearm) for maximum efficiency. That being said, how many swimmers have their coaches stand over them while doing drills of any sort? Most drills are designed to correct or strengthen specific aspects of one's stroke, and if not monitored from the deck with appropriate feedback, are a waste of time. Many coaches give drill sets and walk away. If your coach is one of those, demand attention to your efforts for one or two laps to make sure you are doing the drill correctly.

RE: Fist Swimming

FindingMyInnerFish — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 06:35:54 GMT

I'm curious about what the article said the purpose was of this type of swimming--b/c my coach suggested the "fist drill" as one I could do during drill segments.... I tried it but couldn't wait to stop... of course, drills (except for free catch-up) are always my least favorite part of a swim practice, so I can't go by that. If I'm given a choice of drill, the "fist drill" is definitely not one of my choices.