Hello Fellow Swimmers,
I have been back in the pool for about 11 months after a 35 year absence and have steadily made progress and now want to start working on my stroke. I have noticed that when we do pull sets, I can move at a pretty reasonable speed (10 x 100M free on 1:40 with me consistently hitting the wall at about 1:30) without killing myself. I do not use paddles but do use a buoy during pull sets. In my lane, I notice that I can keep up with those who use the paddles except for a few of the faster ones. ( I characterize myself as an average speed swimmer)
I have noticed that many of the folks in the fast lane were pulling out their paddles when working on a 1:25 interval for the 100 free sets. That is a pretty quick interval and I do not think I could make a full set of ten at this time.
So, I have been toying with the idea of using paddles during pull sets. I am an "upper body" swimmer with a pretty good pull technique and I wonder if it would help me increase my strength or just be a crutch. I say that because I ditched my fins about six months ago and it made me a much better kicker.
What are everyone's experiences out there? Is shoulder injury a worry? I have never used these things and would love to have input on their strengths and weaknesses.
Thanks
Parents
Former Member
Doug,
I agree that paddles can be a source of injury and have been very specific in using them. No more than 400 meters per workout when I do use them and only when I am warmed up.
So far, so good. I have noticed that I started to have a nice residual effect in the rest of my workout and started to get ahead of my lane mates in a way that had not happened before. We are the medium speed lane.
But I am also at my one year aniiversary of returning to the pool after a 35 year absence. My coach had told me it would take about a year before I would get my speed up to my older levels. So, the change in my progress is probalby more attitrbutable to a change in my development and fitness than the paddles.
That being said, I was just videotaped and had my coach do a stroke analysis, which was my first stroke class in my life. While it was rather depressing ot see all that I do wrong, it is encouraging to see that I have loads of things to work on that should help my speed. And no paddle ever made will help me until I get my stroke mechanics in order.
The great thing about swimming is there is always more to learn. Keeps me young.
Rob
Doug,
I agree that paddles can be a source of injury and have been very specific in using them. No more than 400 meters per workout when I do use them and only when I am warmed up.
So far, so good. I have noticed that I started to have a nice residual effect in the rest of my workout and started to get ahead of my lane mates in a way that had not happened before. We are the medium speed lane.
But I am also at my one year aniiversary of returning to the pool after a 35 year absence. My coach had told me it would take about a year before I would get my speed up to my older levels. So, the change in my progress is probalby more attitrbutable to a change in my development and fitness than the paddles.
That being said, I was just videotaped and had my coach do a stroke analysis, which was my first stroke class in my life. While it was rather depressing ot see all that I do wrong, it is encouraging to see that I have loads of things to work on that should help my speed. And no paddle ever made will help me until I get my stroke mechanics in order.
The great thing about swimming is there is always more to learn. Keeps me young.
Rob
