How do you know what fin is right for you?

When I was a junior I benefited a lot doing faster-than-race-pace training with fins. But the only way I could get enough speed was by using a fairly long skin-diving fin...lightweight, silicone boot, stiff plastic blade. No matter the fin, you shouldn't be using them to swim the same sets you normally would. Try and use them to really push yourself. You should adjust your sets accordingly and be at least as tired at the end of your sets as you would if you hadn't used fins, if not more tired.

I started with zoomers and was told to get fins for ankle flexibility. I can easily go under 1 minute with fins, but am nowhere near 1:30 without fins. I think you have a good idea in cutting them. My coach has me kicking with sneakers on. She is pure evil for that one!:bitching:

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. How do they work your muscles differently? They do look like they might be easier on the ankles. I might try them. I'm just using the regular cheapo speed training fin. I have no idea if they're the "optimus" or not. Gull: My coach doesn't like fins much either. In workouts, we seem to use them mostly for UW shooters. (But I don't need them for that. :thhbbb:) I do see people kicking with fins sometimes. We do seem to be assigned a fair bit of pulling though, which I always skip. As Donna says, masters swimmers can make their own decisions about equipment.

Read the "complicated words" on the web page. You're a lawyer... Too lazy today. You bought them. You must have read the directions?

Why have a coach if you're not going to listen to him or her? If I just did my own thing in practice, I'd be a........tri. Horrors. Avoiding this fate seems more linked to swimming intervals and practicing more than one stroke. Can't you listen to your coach, but use your own judgment on equipment? Coaches have to accomodate diverse swimmers. Not everyone can follow the workout plan to the letter. So, I'm sending you my paddles in the mail, Gull. I'll send my pull buoy to StValentine. ;)

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.

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.) Yeah, this is MCL sprain 50 kick. Not trying to hurt myself here!! :cane: Pre-injury, I was averaging ~47-8 per 50. I tend to use some almost-zoomer fins when i do wear fins. Those 50s were closer to 40.

Here's another way to use alpha zura fins: www.goswim.tv/drilloftheweek_comments.php

Thanks everyone It is so interesting to hear what everyone likes to use as training fins. I guess the bottom line is you use what is best for you. One thing about the keifer training fins ( other than mine are bright yellow :lmao:) is they are very comfortable. I need help with my kich as I am much stronger in the top half of my body so I thought ( not sure if it is true) but the shorter ones would help my kick better. Anyway I love hearing about peoples different training techniques and equipment. Cheers. NO swimming today but I get to be the parent volunteer at my daughters touch football game. It is pouring so I can pretend I am at the pool. Katie

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. Wow, "rarely ALLOWS?" That wouldn't stop me because my zoomers have helped my leg strength/ankle flexibility tremendously. Coaching and dictating are two different things.