Back when I was swimming competitively, we never used fins. No one I knew even owned a pair.
Now, they seem to be popular. The local masters team uses them. Today I was in the gym pool and a young fellow -- looked to be maybe a high school team swimmer -- got in and started doing kick sets with fins.
Seems to me, if you want to get good at kicking with your bare legs, you practice kicking with your bare legs. In many sports, training is done with added weights, but since the fins make kicking easier, I don't see the benefit.
But then again, why would a training method be popular if it didn't work?
So what's the rationale?
IMHO
1. Develop leg strength. It's easier to go fast with fins but if you think kicking with fins is easier, do it longer and harder.
2. Can go full speed untapered to "feel" the water and perfect catch/breathing posture at race speeds.
3. Maitain body position for longer fly sets.
4. Overspeed training. In track overspeed training i.e. towing or running down hill is used. This is a swimming version.
5. Bend those ankles! It promotes flexibility.
6. Fun. It's fun to cheat once and a while. Should not be a total substitute for naked kicking.
IMHO
1. Develop leg strength. It's easier to go fast with fins but if you think kicking with fins is easier, do it longer and harder.
2. Can go full speed untapered to "feel" the water and perfect catch/breathing posture at race speeds.
3. Maitain body position for longer fly sets.
4. Overspeed training. In track overspeed training i.e. towing or running down hill is used. This is a swimming version.
5. Bend those ankles! It promotes flexibility.
6. Fun. It's fun to cheat once and a while. Should not be a total substitute for naked kicking.
