Monofins

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 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