Zoomers or longer fins??

I consider Zoomers to be a better training fin than the long fins. Particularly if you are working a flutter kick for freestyle/backstroke, I think the Zoomers more accurately imitate the same motion of the leg. Long fins are nice to practice the dolphin kick, and tend to give more of a full body motion/movement all the way through the hips.

My understanding (I don't use them) is that zoomers were intended to be used while swimming, not for kick sets. Having said that, almost everyone uses them for kick sets where I train, often because they can't make the kick intervals without them. I don't use fins very often -- maybe every other week -- but when I do, I use Zura fins. I like them just fine, they are longer than zoomers but not as long as conventional fins.

My understanding (I don't use them) is that zoomers were intended to be used while swimming, not for kick sets. Having said that, almost everyone uses them for kick sets where I train, often because they can't make the kick intervals without them. I don't use fins very often -- maybe every other week -- but when I do, I use Zura fins. I like them just fine, they are longer than zoomers but not as long as conventional fins. Chris, I've been thinking about ordering some Zura fins. Tell us more about why you like them!

I like them primarily because they look cool. A definite chick magnet. :) Seriously, you shouldn't look to me for advice on fins, I do 99.9% of my kicking sans fins. I asked Fort for her recommendation before I bought the Zuras a couple of months ago; she's the fin guru, despite the infamous monofin mishap. There are a number of reasons why I don't tend to use fins. Two reasons are pretty simple: knees and ankles. As in, fins sometimes put too much strain on my knees (which hyperextend a lot and are otherwise fragile after multiple surgeries) and after a while they hurt my ankles (which are already flexible enough). I like the Zuras because they are not too big (not too much strain on knees and ankles) and they are shaped so that your feet can be fairly close together without the fins getting in each other's way. They do float pretty strongly, meaning that if you use them while on your stomach they work the quads and if you are on your back they work the hams; I like this aspect of them too. But I don't have extensive experience with many fins. It may be that others work just fine too.

I like them primarily because they look cool. A definite chick magnet. :) Seriously, you shouldn't look to me for advice on fins, I do 99.9% of my kicking sans fins. I asked Fort for her recommendation before I bought the Zuras a couple of months ago; she's the fin guru, despite the infamous monofin mishap. There are a number of reasons why I don't tend to use fins. Two reasons are pretty simple: knees and ankles. As in, fins sometimes put too much strain on my knees (which hyperextend a lot and are otherwise fragile after multiple surgeries) and after a while they hurt my ankles (which are already flexible enough). I like the Zuras because they are not too big (not too much strain on knees and ankles) and they are shaped so that your feet can be fairly close together without the fins getting in each other's way. They do float pretty strongly, meaning that if you use them while on your stomach they work the quads and if you are on your back they work the hams; I like this aspect of them too. But I don't have extensive experience with many fins. It may be that others work just fine too. Depends on your goal and your anatomy. I'm not a fan of zoomers at all. But Smith likes them for sprinting. For myself, I prefer the long blade fins. Better for ankle flexibility, streamlining, dolphin kicking, speedwork, shooters, shoulder support, etc. But I have no problems with my knees and ankles. If you have an issue there, the zuras are probably better and give you less artificial speed. I use fins primarily for swimming (especially speedwork), shooters, some dolphin kicking on my back. Not too often for basic kick work. And, ugh, don't use zoomers for kicking; only or swimming. I would find them to be a chick magnet, but fins certainly don't seem to be a guy magnet. I mostly just get mocked by the pull buoy addicts. Now, the monofin, that is a real guy magnet. :)

Thanks! I appreciate all the great feedback. Does anyone here swim for the Attleboro Bluefish of MA?

Chris, I've been thinking about ordering some Zura fins. Tell us more about why you like them! Beth, I use them too and they definitely help with body position, I get a faster pull than swim with my fins on as they really lift my hips and hold me in a perfect swim position (now to learn to do it without them). I was reading up on them again b/c I'm thinking about geting zoomers too. The Alphas work the down kick (quads), whereas I've heard the zoomers tend to work the hamstring and up kick etc (someone please correct me if I am wrong). I love to kick in streamline on my back with the alphas. Other reasons I like them is they're flexible and make me feel more natural on the kick and they're very soft on the feet. I'm keen to get Chris' insight too!

I use long fins for kick sets, IM work, and freestyle sprinting when I just want to go all-out and pretend I can keep up with the fast folks. Zoomers I use when I want to give my legs a little rest.. if they're tired from running or biking. I also use Zoomers when I'm sprinting but want a more natural kick and a balanced pull to kick ratio. The longer fins are much better for developing ankle flexibility than Zoomers. Zoomers on the other hand, keep you honest because you have to kick with good technique in order to get any real benefit out of them. (I'm speaking of the red Zoomers).

I like them primarily because they look cool. A definite chick magnet. Who are you and what have you done with the professor? Fin's are awesome...I have 3 sets. Mix up your training in ways you may not think of with them...but never se them as a crutch to make an interval. My favorite is for power work with small hand paddles in speed sets.

I have zoomers, a monofin, and long fins (cheap ones from the local sporting goods place) and use all occasionally. Long fins for when I want to go at or faster than race pace in free, fly or back, usually when I'm tapering. I use zoomers and the MF for swimming fly repeats, for dolphin kicking and UW shooters.