What do you like or dislike about swim fins?

I swim between 8000 and 14000 meters a day as I train for the 2012 Olympic trials and I use my fins every practice. but when I say use them I mean really use them.. My coach says if you have fins on the I want to see you kick your heart out... Fins are great when used right but can hurt you when you start thinking you always need them

I like fins a lot- I really don't think one can use them as a crutch, especially on short-rest sets. They work your legs and create additional oxygen demand. They can take the load off of vulnerable shoulders. They also promote ankle flexibility, which some people need more of (i.e me). When sprinting, they allow you to get used to moving through the water quickly, which helps amplify hydrodynamic issues you may have. I really don't think there is a downside to using fins, unless you want to see the same times at a meet. Maybe less upper body strength as a result of using the EXCESSIVELY, but should everyone (except geek) be kicking just a little better? :2cents:

We tested swim fins for our magazine a few months ago. If you have not already done so you may want to watch our video, here: www.youtube.com/.../USMastersSwimming

I like my fins. They can be useful and add a different feeling to a workout, however, I think they should be used minimally in training - just as much as any other peice of equipment (kickboard, pull bouy, paddles). The kids I coach and myslef use them sparingly, just on some kick sets and some small swim sets. I like using them on fly sets - I feel like I am flying and I am getting good lift with little effort. However, I really feel if you are really focusing on improving your kick, then you should leave the fins at home.

I personally feel fins are great and if using the proper ones can give you at the very least a good strength training workout for your legs. They are great as someone said for fly, free sprints and kick sets but do not get dependent on them. I actually think they are great for underwater dolfin kick drills as it helps with the undulation more.

however, I think they should be used minimally in training ... the kids I coach and myself use them sparingly, just on some kick sets and some small swim sets. I like using them on fly sets - I feel like I am flying and I am getting good lift with little effort. However, I really feel if you are really focusing on improving your kick, then you should leave the fins at home. I like fins because I kick people's ass who don't use them or have a purist attitude about them. Oh, and I agree with Speedo's comments. SDK is my greatest asset in swimming and I use fins. A lot.

I have a sporadic training schedule. I have a hard time getting in the pool while coaching my high school team for four months out of the year. I find the quickest way to get back into shape is by adding more sets with fins. As Speedo said, you start working the largest muscle groups in the body and put them into oxygen debt which promotes quicker conditioning. While it varies, I try to swim at least one set with fins per practice for about a month or so. This might average about 25-50% of the practice with fins. When wearing fins, I think it's important that you "use" them. We have a lot of swimmers on our masters team who rely on short blade fins (ie Zoomers) for the entire practice. I think this may be only so they can keep up with the faster swimmers but I think this does more harm than good. We did a set last week of 8x75 (SCY) with fins. I maintained 10, 8, & 7 underwater dolphin kicks off each respective wall holding the 75s 0:41-0:43. Sometimes when we do a set like 10x50 I may put fins on and kick the second length underwater. To wear fins and not exaggerate that you are wearing them is a mistake. All equipment should be worn for specific purposes.

I bought a pair of medium length fins in December and I still don't know what I think of them. I worry that they are easier than zoomers (because I get more propulsion) and easier than long fins (because I can kick with a faster tempo). But maybe I'm just imagining all of that. As others said, you really have to work them; if you're kick-oriented like me that requires an extra effort not to slough off.

I like the fact that they make me kick harder and faster and keep my heart rate up. I don't like them causing my legs to ache.

I like fins because I kick people's ass who don't use them or have a purist attitude about them. Oh, and I agree with Speedo's comments. SDK is my greatest asset in swimming and I use fins. A lot. I took your advice and bought fins, and have found them to be a great help in strengthening my legs. In addition to doing SDK's (front, side, and back) I also like using fins to do fast dolphin kicking on my back (on the surface) to strengthen my core. For those who are against the idea of doing dolphin kicking on your back, on the surface, it IS great for strengthening your abs. Try it fast for several laps and see how you feel the next day! :cane: I also borrowed some Speedo breaststroke fins to help with muscle memory in my catch; especially my stubborn right foot that doesn't always want to turn out. Using them for a couple of laps before swimming breaststroke really helps! I liked them so much I bought a pair. (I will use them sparingly, though, because they put a lot of stress on the knees.)