Hi I have had fairly bad case of biceps tendonitis for quite some time now and have not been able to swim. I have been doing kick sets every day for several weeks now, but realized that I wasn't _really_ doing the flutter kick in order to get more propulsion (otherwise I really don't move very much at all).
In any case, after reading these forums I decided to buy some Zoomers fins and started doing all my kicking with them for the past week. Initially I was quite happy with them (except blisters but I think I have solved that problem now). However, I have a concomitant knee problem (I went to an orthopod some time ago for it and he said by the physical exam it might be a medial meniscus issue - pain on the inside of my right knee - but since it was still relatively mild he was hesitant to do an MRI as surgery would not be something that would be considered at this point, which sounds reasonable to me) and I have noticed this week it has gotten worse (I did also stupidly sprint for my bus on Monday which I immediately felt caused some knee upset, and that certainly contributed a lot to it, but I'm still wondering about the Zoomers).
I know initially I did not feel the Zoomers aggravate my knee pain but now I'm not sure (although today I seem to have had more knee pain in general throughout the day so I'm not really sure if working out with them really added anything to it or if its just that my knee pain was still there when I was using them). In any case, I was wondering people's opinions about whether my increasing knee pain this week might be related to the Zoomers or perhaps simply to using them too much too soon? Anyone with knee problems noticed that Zoomers aggravate them? Are any other short fins better for knees or am I just stuck ineffectively kicking with no fins since I can't swim cuz of the shoulder probs?
Oh yeah I'm only doing flutter kick and I'm fairly sure I'm doing it correctly with the Zoomers (my legs are certainly straight and I am not kicking from the knees although I wonder if maybe I am locking them more than I should be perhaps).
Thanks
Misha
Former Member
I charge the same price but post your videos on You tube I know if you post them here you will get free analysis.
Wow that sounds like a great idea. The only prob is I was actually going to get the videoing done with that coach too (I found a local one which would have worked well) but let me see if I can find a pool locally that I can do the video at and then at the very least I can initially see what everyone on here thinks and then if I feel like I really need to do a full analysis from that point I can always dig up the dough somewhere.
Misha
... some Zoomers fins and started doing all my kicking with them for the past week.
That might be the problem. I don't know anyone who advocates doing all your kicking with Zoomers (or any other kind of fin). Definitely mix things up and do a fair amount of kicking without them.
Skip Montanaro
What color zoomers are you using? I forget which color (blue or red) is supposed to be more rigid. They recommend blue for weak kickers so that's what I have.
I've had my knees act up a little bit from changes in my routine such as adding a lot of kicking with fins or starting a weight training program 6 months ago. I just took it easy (decreased the amount of kicking or worked my legs less when lifting weights) and gave my body time to adapt.
I think any kind of fin puts more stress on the knee. I still have knee problems from a car accident 10 years ago, and definitely have to limit my use of them. It's probably best to start out with very short sessions and build up gradually over time.
It's possible the Zoomers are worse for it than others, they are a bit more rigid than some. (That's what I've got as well, but I just don't feel like spending a small fortune trying out a bunch of other brands.)
I've never had knee trouble, but I have had lower back pain and Zoomers definitely seem to aggravate that. :cane: So I can see how they could put strees on knees also.
You must be bending the knees too much, and over doing the kick. You may also be forcing the legs to be too staight.
Your tendonitis is from incorrect technique. Better get some stroke tech help. For sure your biceps should not give you any trouble if you are swimming correctly. A little article here on tendonitis www.alexandriamasters.com/.../shoulder.htm
Wow thanks guys for all the fast replies. Guess I'll have to lay off the Zoomers for a while and then if I decide to try them again just use them for a small amount of the kicking.
About stroke technique I've contacted a coach who'll do video analysis but it's $150 so I guess I am still debating b/c I am little hesitant with that cost. I guess ultimately if it fixed the problem it would be worth it, but I just don't know how happy I'll be if I spend $150 and end up with nothing that seems to be helping (I'm a student and my program is fully paid for with a fairly nice stipend but still an extra $150 is quite a bit as far as my budget goes; I mean I could do it, but it would really have to be worth it I guess).
Thanks
Misha
Tell me about your lower back pain. I'm having major problems with that. It seems to have coincided with some new fins I purchased (spent a lot of money on them). They are called Force Fins, but Slim Fins for swimming variety. I've had disc problems in the distant past, but my right gluteus maximus/low back/upper leg area have been aching badly. All I can think of was I got these new fins, and loved the feel of swimming with them, and didn't spend a lot of time breaking into them, but on the other hand was using them daily, but not a real long time either. Anyhow, have stopped the fins, started some physical therapy, and things don't seem to be improving. Have stopped *** stroke for awhile, but still am swimming almost daily, as I don't want to lose the fitness level I've achieved. I am not a competitive swimmer, just an older woman trying to stay in shape. Anyhow, what have you noticed about back pain?
well i was just about to ask if buying the speedo fins would be okay, then i read this, it's a good thing i hesitated buying one today. i'll be going on a vacation and plan to go snorkling, i wanted to use fins in the pool to get acquainted with it 'coz i haven't used fins before and i wanted to learn how to use them....
