Seeking a a deFINitive answer

[zia]

What's the advantage of swimming with fins? I have been of the "fins are useless" school since switching to Total Immersion swimming. But my masters group has "Fun Fin Fridays" occassionally, where all the sets are with fins. I bought myself a pair. It's lots more fun and I can definitely see where it could strengthen my ankles. And my legs were a little extra sore afterward. So I guess that's all good.

But, why swim with fins? Will it really make me stronger? I certain felt a lot slower the moment they came off.

[HillSlugger]

What's the advantage of swimming with fins? I have been of the "fins are useless" school since switching to Total Immersion swimming. But my masters group has "Fun Fin Fridays" occassionally, where all the sets are with fins. I bought myself a pair. It's lots more fun and I can definitely see where it could strengthen my ankles. And my legs were a little extra sore afterward. So I guess that's all good.

But, why swim with fins? Will it really make me stronger? I certain felt a lot slower the moment they came off.

The fins push you faster, but they create more resistance for your kick. I suppose, in theory, they could make your legs/kick stronger. IMO I think you are far better off learning to swim well without fins.

[tribogota]

It's not for swimming it's a strengthening exercise, like lifting weights in the gym. And as you said it IS FUN!

[Veronica]

I think fins make me use my whole foot more when I'm not using them - kinda like Michael Phelps and his HUGE feet.

Veronica

[Reesha]

One of my favorite pool exercises is with fins and a kickboard. I hold the kickboard perpendicular to my chest and facing away from the direction I'm swimming, I hold my legs perpendicular to my torso and kick with nice straight legs. MEGA abs work out!

[roadie gal]

The fins help me with some drills. They give extra propulsion so I don't sink. I can concentrate on my arms or body position or whatever without having to worry about my kick as well.

[Selkie]

Based on the comments in this thread and after talking to someone at the pool, I bought myself some Zoomers! I got the blue ones but hopefully, as my ankle flexibility increases, I'll upgrade to the red ones (stiffer).

I figure I can wear them and do extra laps to work on my form. This will be in addition to my usual workout. Kind of a bonus treat and a way to mix things up a bit.

I've definitely gotten better since I started swimming regularly in May, but I have lots of room for improvement.

[colby]

Swimming with fins did help teach me about ankle flexing, just like someone else mentioned. That was nice, because my kick was too stiff before. It let me focus on a nice fluid kick. I used them for drills, then took them off, thought about what it felt like, and tried to apply that to my swimming, just like other drills.

I don't own a pair, but have used them at the gym. I've considered getting my own (at least I'd know whose feet were in them!!).

[HillSlugger]

When I first started swimming and was taking lessons I was kicking with bent knees; my coach had me wearing fins to help teach me a proper kick. I had some trouble giving them up in time for my first tri.

[fatbottomedgurl]

When I did an OWS at the beach that is notorious for rip tides and cross currents, I wore my Zoomers "just in case." Guess what- they got me out of a pickle. Call them my security blanket.

[Selkie]

I see why they are called ZOOMERS. I was zooming and not really kicking much at all. Almost felt like I should move to a medium lane (haha!). My first lap with them on, I couldn't believe how fast I was going and I was barely kicking. An excellent purchase---I really was able to focus on my arms, core, balance, body position. Body placement was definitely higher in the water. Did about 12 laps or so w/them on (waited til the lane cleared so I was splitting it w/someone instead of circle swimming). When I took them off, I could notice a difference in my overall form and it was for the better.

Have to admit that when I put some effort into the legs, the zoomers really worked them, particularly my ankles. Weirdly enough, I didn't feel like I was going faster w/more leg action, but that might have been because of the effort w/increased resistance. My initial take on them is they will improve leg strength if you kick harder. Right now, I'm going to use them to help w/my upper body technique and my body placement/balance in the water.

I'm going ahead and getting the red ones because I think my strong legs are might be too much for the blue ones. I'll alternate the blue and red ones, and I found some exercises for ankle flexibility.

As HillSlug said, swimming without them is really the goal. However, I can tell that using them for drills or to supplement my usual laps is going to improve my swimming.

There was a lady wearing them who was circle swimming w/me and two other slow pokes today, and she kept lapping us. She wore them the entire time. Without the zoomers, she'd had slowed down significantly!