Monofins

I'm about to find out about both the monofin and the center mount snorkel. I think Fort is the resident expert on the monofin. I asked for both for my birthday. They're late! :( And I don't know whether to blame the UPS guy or my wife for not ordering soon enough. :dunno: I have seen a lot of references to monofins lately and have been wondering about them. They seem a little on the expensive side for an impulse-purchase. What are the differences between the different models? What are the advantages of a monofin over a regular pair of fins? Are there things took for or to avoid? Are they a pain to lug to and from workout? Do people look at you funny like when you wear the center-mount snorkels? :eek: Any other consumer advice?

I have seen a lot of references to monofins lately and have been wondering about them. They seem a little on the expensive side for an impulse-purchase. What are the differences between the different models? What are the advantages of a monofin over a regular pair of fins? Are there things took for or to avoid? Are they a pain to lug to and from workout? Do people look at you funny like when you wear the center-mount snorkels? :eek: Any other consumer advice? Poolraat is right. I love my monofin. Many are for rec use. I have the finis shooter monofin for competitive swimming, which I highly recommend and is $98. I sincerely think they have helped me improve my SDK-ing. They are not that big of a pain, although they are very sharp. I got a boo boo right outta the box with it. I carry it by the fin heel. People have never looked at me too oddly, although as you know I wouldn't care if they did. Some people say, "cool equipment," "what is that thing," "that looks dangerous." When I am swimming underwater with it, they usually say, "you're zooming," "you look like a fish" or "I wish I could do that." I swim with a lot of very nice rec swimmers at my rec center! When I brought it to my team practice all the guys with big feet insisted on using it. It does feel different to me than regular fins. Forces you to use the core more. I can feel it more in the core after using monofins than regular fins. I have been told by my coach that it is good for the glutes too. :) On the Ask Ande thread, I asked him for ideas of sets to do with it. He gave me advice there. I swim on my stomach, back, and both sides with it. I do one arm drills with it. I don't swim fly with it yet though, although Misty Hyman does on her video. Now, if only I could learn to use my dorkle ... Fins and monofins were also discussed at: forums.usms.org/showthread.php forums.usms.org/showthread.php

I looked too Lindsay to try getting my steel girder spine to undulate. I guess $36 isn't THAT much to spend but if that turns out to be a garbage fin it is. I see some for $244! I hope at that price it kicks for you!

I don't have one but they look interesting and people swear they are a great tool to use. Fort mentions a lot about what they provide for your body; core work and also because you will travel faster, a swimmer gets to experience the "speed" they normally don't get to encounter. I use Zoomer red fins everyday, and twice a week use these HUGE fins for swimmers only; they have holes in them, but no Monofin. I am still not comfortable with the use of a swimmer's snorkel because of the CO2 issue (dead space--see another post), and my primary concern is I can never get a good breath of air because I normally breathe using my lungs; a snorkel I can only use my mouth and not gulp air in like I am accustomed to. And I prefer to swim with as much oxygen as my lungs will take in; the snorkel prevents this. Oh, unless you are just snorkeling and your heartrate stays low. Donna

Are monofins good for anything besides fly and sdking?

Are monofins good for anything besides fly and sdking? Breaststroke pull w/ dolphin kick.... works on body position and focusing on the *** armstroke.

I use the center mounted snorkel that Kiefer sells in their magazine--i think its a Finis though. I use it at least 3 practices a week, sometimes just in warmup, sometimes as a work-in in the middle of a set. I tend to just use it for longer swims on moderate intervals (3x200free, 400, no 10x100s) I have found it especially nice for pulling, and I also will throw fins on sometimes as well. I found for my shoulders--which are no where near perfection, it has helped a lot. With the snorkel on I tend to have much better body roll and concentration because you eliminate one of the most distracting parts of swimming-breathing. In addition, the benefits I notice in my lung capacity once I have been using the snorkel consistently for a few weeks is remarkable. I also have a monofin but rarely use it just because most of my sets have not lent an opportunity. I find it VERY hard to turn with the monofin, so really 25s are the most ideal set for use...at least in my experience. I use it for underwater sdk and dk on my back and occasionally full stroke fly.

I use my center mount snorkle alot: warmup,cooldown,drills etc. I have never felt a "deadspace" problem. I breath just like regular swimming I just don't have to move my head to breath. Donna,I am not sure why you had a problem,I have no trouble breathing with my chest with the snorkle. I use the regular Finis snorkle.I have tried their"freestyle"snorkle and REALLY did not like it.

How long does it take to become decent at flip turns with a center mount snorkle? I don't seem to have much success blowing all the water out. Is it a learned art? well #1. DEFINATLY get yourself a nice comfy nose plug...that helped me a ton! I have really bad lungs-in fact, I'm allergic to chlorine so I tend to have a lot of allergic asthmatic problems....so I thought I would never get the whole flip turn with snorkel situation under control...but really its just about going for it, and practicing it...and eventually you just aquire it I guess. I still every once in a while will come up with a mouthful of water and no air and have to fix things up in the middle of the pool, but if you really concentrate on either 1. holding your breath through the flip turn so you can have a big strong exhalation once you've flipped, or 2. blowing air out throughout the turn (prevents water from going in to begin with) it will come.

How long does it take to become decent at flip turns with a center mount snorkle? I don't seem to have much success blowing all the water out. Is it a learned art?