Getting back to swimming after 7 years...

RE: Getting back to swimming after 7 years...

Former Member — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:47:04 GMT

Thanks a bunch folks. I'm planning to leave the zoomers behind. Let me see how it goes and will certainly update on the progress. You guys are awesome ! Thanks a bunch.

RE: Getting back to swimming after 7 years...

Former Member — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 06:20:58 GMT

Lose the fins, and just use a kickboard for a few weeks... Maybe someone on here can explain in what "instance" fins are a good choice... I very very rarely use them, it makes things "too easy" which seems to me to kind of defeat the purpose of a workout. Also throws my rythm and balance off, except kicking fly.

RE: Getting back to swimming after 7 years...

joshua — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 01:29:36 GMT

I would like to comment on two points: 1. If your main goal is weight reduction, then swimming is probably not the most effective venue. Of course, it doesn't matter if this is the activity you enjoy and will pursue regularly. 2. Your lack of kicking ability is very common among new swimmers, particularly runners. I have found the major problem to be lack of ankle flexibility. Fins help but as was pointed out, don't become too dependent on them. I would suggest dry land ankle stretching. My favorite is sitting in front of the TV with my feet in the flex position under the buttocks. Put a towel on the floor if it hurts. Work into it gradually. Over time you will feel a stronger kick in the water. Good luck.

RE: Getting back to swimming after 7 years...

kgernert — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 11:02:56 GMT

While there is nothing wrong with using fins being dependent on them is another matter. When my coach finally convinced me to swim without them as I got stronger, it made a huge difference in my overall ability. I was also told to kick from my butt, not my knees - that was huge too. Play with your fins and have fun with them, but take them off too. Your progress just may surprise you :cheerleader:

RE: Getting back to swimming after 7 years...

Former Member — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:40:06 GMT

IM, You are the perfect example of why I always advocated for people including my swimmers not to wear fins. I think at this point your fin (zoomer) dependency is about 99% psychological. When I swam competitively in college I was a breasstroker and had very large muscular legs that sunk like rocks unless they were moving, much the way you describe yourself. I would submit that you can definitely keep your legs afloat but you are probably doing two things wrong (or at least one of two things) My guess is that without the fins you are bending your knees too much which causes you to lose almost all propulsion, the second thing is that the times you have given with fins on are not blazingly fast and therefore you may not be kicking fast enough. Shorten your kick stroke, keep your feet relatively flat and only allow a very SLIGHT bend of your knees. You will not be able to swim anywhere near as fast without fins as you do with them and you shouldn't expect to. As an example I may be able to swim a 50 free without fins in :30, with fins I'm pretty confident I would be near the :20 mark, that's huge in swimming terms. The good thing is that you will build more upper body strength quicker because you'll have no choice. THROW THE ZOOMERS AWAY, grab a kickboard, kick your butt off, swim your butt off, and have someone (preferably a swim coach with some experience) take a look at your stroke mechanics and you'll be swimming like a champ in no time. Cheers, Larry

RE: Getting back to swimming after 7 years...

jaadams1 — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 02:53:28 GMT

My problem is that the moment I get out of my zoomers, I struggle to even complete a length; my balance, body position, head position, body rotation all simply vanishes; my single most aim is to get across to the other side. It could be partly pscyhological and partly physiological. Once I get away from the fins, I get a feeling that my body is slightly more immersed in water and my torso and legs is accelerating towards the bottom of the pool. Also the rhythm of kick(which exists with the fins on) vanishes completely; it ends up literally being desparate fluttering of my feet. And the only stroke that I'm able to do is crawl; i tried back stroke, but ended up struggling - so I simply gave up. Im looking for pointers from experienced swimmers that would help me to work my way towards a good form and swim without any aids. Thanks a Bunch IM It sounds as if you have become "zoomer dependant". One of first things to learn is of course body position in the water, and in motion kicking plays a large role in maintaining your body position in a horizontal axis. Try kicking on your side (no fins), with your "bottom arm" upward, pointing to the end of the pool. Lay your head on this arm, with your other arm at your side. Switch sides each length. Just play with it. Learning to kick (and swim) without the use of fins will be the biggest help of all. Practice makes perfect, they always say. Don't get frustrated though, it will probably take you a while to get this, but you will in time.