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?
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Former Member
So what's the rationale?
Here's mine.
1. We always used them when I was a younger swimmer, I know this doesn't make it right, but I feel like our year-round program knew what it was doing.
2. Strength training. I can get more yardage done in less time, working my legs harder. For example, 15 100s, alternating free and fly, on the 1:20. I feel like this is better cardio for me as well.
3. I get a better feel for how to properly kick when using fins. To explain this, picture riding a bicycle with shoes clipped into the pedals. With this approach, you get a full revolution of cycling, meaning, your leg pushes down on the pedal while your other pulls up on it. With fins on, I feel like I can feel how my feet push down on the water, as well as pull up on the water. I then think about that when I swim. This could be totally bogus, but I have convinced myself of it.
4. Speed training. Swim sprint sets with fins and notice how your body should be positioned to take advantage of streamlining. You can feel it. The more you kick, the faster you are. I think about this when I swim as well.
Just my $0.02.
So what's the rationale?
Here's mine.
1. We always used them when I was a younger swimmer, I know this doesn't make it right, but I feel like our year-round program knew what it was doing.
2. Strength training. I can get more yardage done in less time, working my legs harder. For example, 15 100s, alternating free and fly, on the 1:20. I feel like this is better cardio for me as well.
3. I get a better feel for how to properly kick when using fins. To explain this, picture riding a bicycle with shoes clipped into the pedals. With this approach, you get a full revolution of cycling, meaning, your leg pushes down on the pedal while your other pulls up on it. With fins on, I feel like I can feel how my feet push down on the water, as well as pull up on the water. I then think about that when I swim. This could be totally bogus, but I have convinced myself of it.
4. Speed training. Swim sprint sets with fins and notice how your body should be positioned to take advantage of streamlining. You can feel it. The more you kick, the faster you are. I think about this when I swim as well.
Just my $0.02.
