How do you know what fin is right for you?

When I started swimming I used some long fins like these www.swimoutlet.com/.../3471.htm When I got to the point where I was able to kick a 50 under 1 min, I'd cut them. I did that until they were the length of zoomers. Then I bought zoomers. I've had those for a few years now and I still get a workout with them. I recently tried the breaststroke fins and like them. Alison

Hey everyone I started swimming this Sept. I bought a pair of Kiefer silicone training fins and I think I like them ( they are very comfortable). Most of the people at the pool I swim with are using the speedo optimus training fins. So what ones are better? Or does it matter? I have trouble with just plain old kicking so I thought the shorter ones might help me as I would still have to do some work. I am confused. Can someone help me? Katie I like my Alpha Fins...:woot: www.zura.com/alphafins.html Even if they do make me look like a member of ther Keebler Elf Swim Team... I find they hit my legs in the quads...but they are very flexible. Just don't become reliant on them. use them for specific reasons...not all the time.

I got to try out zura foam fins at the oak harbor meet warmups yesterday, I'm not sure if those are the same as the alpha fins (my flash player isn't working at the moment, so I can't visit that site). I like them but $40 seems like a lot for foam fins when you can get real rubber fins for less. Maybe the fins' bouyancy has some benefit in training for a different body position.

was able to kick a 50 under 1 min, I'd cut them. Alison: Do you mean, kicked under 1 min with fins on? How much did you cut off each time? Bill

I got to try out zura foam fins at the oak harbor meet warmups yesterday, I'm not sure if those are the same as the alpha fins (my flash player isn't working at the moment, so I can't visit that site). I like them but $40 seems like a lot for foam fins when you can get real rubber fins for less. Maybe the fins' bouyancy has some benefit in training for a different body position. They are incredibly flexible, easy going on the feet, and according to the "complicated words" on the web page, they work your muscles differently to regular fins.

Yes, they're the same ones (I checked that page from my mac). Karen Pipes-Neilsen was demoing them yesterday, they seem to have her seal of approval. How durable are yours? Foam objects aren't usually known for their durability.

I like the Kiefer silicone training fins also. Very comfortable and just the right length. Over time, my kick did improve to the point that I could make 50's on 1:00 without fins. Our current coach rarely allows fins, so now they stay in my bag most of the time.

Alison: Do you mean, kicked under 1 min with fins on? How much did you cut off each time? Bill Yes, under a 1 min with the fins on (I'm not a fast kicker). When I hit the under 1 min mark, I'd cut off about an inch. After cutting off several inches, I bought the zoomers. Our coach rarely allows fins as well. And since I'm paying him dearly to train me well, if he says no fins, it's no fins. Right now we're working on doing 5x100 kick, no fins under 1:30. Ack. Alison

I can't make a 50 kick on a minute right now, no fins. Fins would probably put me under the knife. :dedhorse: Our coaches don't give us sets that require fins all that often, but for most kick sets, about half of us choose to go as is. Personally, I'd rather work my butt off w/o fins to make the fin-people's interval. I am a glutton for punishment, but also lazy enough times to put the fins on. Generally, our coaches will specify when and where they'd prefer that we use them. One such example is when we're doing 90 degree arm kicking, where we kick on our backs with our arms in a streamline pointed straight to the roof of the pool. LCM, we get to use fins more often than not, so we can do more (ouch) and not take up the whole practice. SCY it is a crapshoot for fins/nofins. Either way, doing 3-500 of this in a workout will put some hair on your chest.

I have huge respect for my coach, but he knows we Masters swimmers are picky and sometimes grumpy. So he doesn't care if we use fins or not. He recommends stuff. He knows we have jobs to get to and it doesn't always line up with practice times. So he tries to accomodate us. He gets paid whether we listen to him or not. I have to say though - some of the coaches I read about here - I'm not sure I'd listen to them too much. Some here are sprinters and it sounds like their coaches are SOOOOO old school - pounding 5000 yds per workout 5X per week for people who never race over a 100. As to the first paragraph, how reasonable! As to the second, have to say I agree, Hoffam. That's why I often only hit the team practice only on Sunday. Muppet: If you can't make a 50 under 1:00, a sprinter you ain't. I rarely use fins to kick unless I'm using my MF. But if my team is using them to kick, also pretty rare, I know I can kick a 100 in 1:00. So get your butt moving, boy. Otherwise the 50 fly is mine forever. (Oh, don't mean to antagonize you if you're suffering from knee-related endorphin withdrawl.) Bill: (S)he-Man and FlyQueen spend their life swimming in sneakers too. Are they cyber coaching you, Bill?