Which swim toys, if any, are you currently using at least semi-regularly. Feel free to elaborate on why and when you use them! You can make as many choices as you like.
I forget to add breaststroke fins. You can just note if you are. I have just started kicking once in awhile with them. I aspire to learn the snorkle, but haven't gotten around to that yet. I also can't keep my nose clip on. Hoping to get the hang of it this winter to avoid sinus infections.
I also don't consider earplugs to be a "toy". That's like saying goggles are "toys". I don't think that logic extends to noseplugs, however, since good swimming technique (learning how to breath out while your head is submerged and otherwise pressurize your nose) should obviate the need for a noseplug. Noseplugs make it easier to swim (theoretically) and are a crutch. Earplugs are not.
As for "real" toys, I'm generally not a fan. We used fins in college from time to time but found that I didn't really get much in the way of benefit from them. I also don't like paddles. I always worry that they put too much pressure on my shoulders...
I do use a kickboard for kicking breastroke and freestyle. I find that I kick with more intensity with a kickboard for those strokes. Otherwise, the kick set becomes too focussed on breath control and I scull, pull too much. Backstroke is easier without a board and when I kick butterfly, I'm really just practicing SDKs which need to be done underwater, in proper form and with breath control.
I also use a pull buoy, but usually only in warmup. For me, pull buoys are a good way to focus on technique and are also a good way to practice breath control (I usually breathe every 3/5 by 50 on pull sets).
I also don't consider earplugs to be a "toy". That's like saying goggles are "toys". I don't think that logic extends to noseplugs, however, since good swimming technique (learning how to breath out while your head is submerged and otherwise pressurize your nose) should obviate the need for a noseplug. Noseplugs make it easier to swim (theoretically) and are a crutch. Earplugs are not.
As for "real" toys, I'm generally not a fan. We used fins in college from time to time but found that I didn't really get much in the way of benefit from them. I also don't like paddles. I always worry that they put too much pressure on my shoulders...
I do use a kickboard for kicking breastroke and freestyle. I find that I kick with more intensity with a kickboard for those strokes. Otherwise, the kick set becomes too focussed on breath control and I scull, pull too much. Backstroke is easier without a board and when I kick butterfly, I'm really just practicing SDKs which need to be done underwater, in proper form and with breath control.
I also use a pull buoy, but usually only in warmup. For me, pull buoys are a good way to focus on technique and are also a good way to practice breath control (I usually breathe every 3/5 by 50 on pull sets).
