Swimming aids
graham33
Posts: 265
in General Chat
hey everyone,
i've just bought some swimming aids - you could say a little blindly!
i've got these hand paddles - i thought they were for showing how your hand should be in the water, but they are really crazy - they only seem to make me faster.....
I think they should improve strength??
Does anyone know what they are for and how to use them correctly?
Does anyone else use swimming aids - has it helped?
Thanks
i've just bought some swimming aids - you could say a little blindly!
i've got these hand paddles - i thought they were for showing how your hand should be in the water, but they are really crazy - they only seem to make me faster.....
I think they should improve strength??
Does anyone know what they are for and how to use them correctly?
Does anyone else use swimming aids - has it helped?
Thanks
0
Comments
I havent had any but understand the science behind them. Are they worth the £9.99?
What make have you got? what are they made of neoprene?
Mine are speedo and hard plastic with holes in.
So i can build better strength!
The problem I find is when i get to the deep end i can't hold on untill I pull them off - i tell you it must look funny!
Any other training aids that really work?
As swimming is easily my weakest sport I asked Santa for as much Swimming related stuff as possible.. I ended up with the following:-
Gloves – mine are neoprene and webbed.
Pull Buoy – for using arms only and getting a feel of “balancing” in the water
Kick Board – for practicing legs only drills
Fins – helping balance, breathing and kicking.
I have also purchased a couple of books including Total Immersion and some swimming drills/planning books.
I’ve finally got the stage when I can “visualise” the correct technique I just can’t do it..
Therefore more drills, drills, drills...
My swimming is fairly rubbish so use as much gear as I can find to stop me getting bored.
As abrewer says, you can experiment with them to vary the pain: take off the rear strap to ensure you are hloding the water correctly, particularly towards the back end of your stroke where many people have their hands travelling wrist first.
If you remove the finger strap then you can work on your entry and catch: get it wrong and the paddles will flip over. Make sure you are not cheating and holding the paddle edges with your thumb and pinkie.
Finally, try swimming with no straps just to annoy yourself.
Use paddles for sculling exercises to really get you triceps burning.
Breast-stroke with paddles will help improve your feel of the water, also helps to balance your muscles out. Backstroke does this too, but I mention this last because personally I hate doing this with paddles on. Make sure the lane is clear before you attempt this, or you WILL slice somebody's head open.
That should get you started [:D] . Have fun!
cheers
Mind you, given that many races are in wetsuits which have the same effect it might not matter. [:)]
I guess moderation is the theme. I was guilty of a bit of over-use of paddles a while ago. My comments about straining your forearms are from experience.
I'd suggest the OP and others give it all a go and see which bits you get on with.
You've reminded me to get the pull bouy out of the garage and give it a few sets.