I'd like to improve my technique. I've recently tried swimming with hand paddles, hoping it would improve my catch on my free and back.
However, I actually swim more slowly with them than without. And when I stop using them, I'm not all that comfortable with how the water feels.
Should I be worried about the paddles altering my stroke in a bad way? Perhaps paddles aren't meant for technique but for, say, power/strength?
I didn't use them when training as a youngster so I'm not sure what the consensus is as to their value now.
(I did find this related post: www.usms.org/.../showthread.php, but still not clear if they're for technique or for strength-building or both)
I just got a pair of PT paddles. I don't really like the fist drill because I find my forearm tensing. With the PT paddle I can leave my hand open and relax.
I do have a couple questions for people, though. One; right after taking it off, as everyone knows, the water feels very much like a solid object. Is this more related to the hands being sensitized? Or is it more related to subtle changes in hand and arm pitch after using the fist/ PT paddle. Two; that great feeling dissipates after a couple laps. Do you think that if I'm patient and persistent, eventually that feeling will become the norm? In other words, with persistent use, the feeling will stop dissipating? Anyone who has experience with the hand elimination techniques, I would love to hear your thoughts.
I just got a pair of PT paddles. I don't really like the fist drill because I find my forearm tensing. With the PT paddle I can leave my hand open and relax.
I do have a couple questions for people, though. One; right after taking it off, as everyone knows, the water feels very much like a solid object. Is this more related to the hands being sensitized? Or is it more related to subtle changes in hand and arm pitch after using the fist/ PT paddle. Two; that great feeling dissipates after a couple laps. Do you think that if I'm patient and persistent, eventually that feeling will become the norm? In other words, with persistent use, the feeling will stop dissipating? Anyone who has experience with the hand elimination techniques, I would love to hear your thoughts.
