What are the best swim fins?
Finding the “best” swimming fins depends a great deal on what purpose they’re intended for.
Once you’ve selected the best/ right model and fit for your unique goals, you're bound to get a kick (pun very much intended!) from the sheer velocity and variety swimming fins contribute to your overall swimming experience. The right swim fins help their users increase leg strength and develop proper kicking technique.
Here are a few tips to kick-start that swimming fins love affair
The length of the fins is important beyond merely increasing speed. They should align with what form of training you’re intending to do. In general, longer, stiffer fins are better suited to snorkelling, scuba, and diving, not swimming. The longer your fins, the trickier it is to kick with any type of turnover, and they reduce your kick frequency.
Short blade swimming fins are great for sprinters and mid-distance, but not geared for longer, distance-orientated or open water swimming.
Mid-Sized blades offer a sound in-between option for mid-distance and distance swim training.
Benefits of using short fins for swimming
An indispensable addition to any swimmer’s kit bag, whether novice or advanced, are a pair of short blade swimming fins. Created to support a more consistent kick by giving swimmers the ability to imitate a natural race pace, short fins give them that much needed boost to improve their speed and upper body technique as well as balance.
So, why do swimmers swear by swimming fins for the win?
- Think of fins as your answer to “leg day” in the pool – they give your leg muscles a superb workout, whilst increasing your conditioning, endurance, and power.
- Their larger surface area makes it easier to master the up-kick.
- They assist in easing the strain on your shoulders and upper body.
- Fin-powered swimming helps those swimmers wanting to fine-tune their body position (which is crucial during regular swimming) and attain better ankle flexibility.
- Fins are great for working on your stroke technique because you’re instantly generating more kick speed. This means you can concentrate more astutely on the mechanics of your stroke and finetune your form while your legs propel you through the water.
The best swimming with fins workout for beginners
If you’re starting out with swimming fins, it’s best to research a few exercises to build up your confidence, ease of use and general fin swimming stamina. These workouts will be aimed at three main training goals:
- Swimming fins workout for leg strength
- Swimming fins workout for ankle flexibility
- Swimming fins workout to improve your body position and stroke
Research has shown that utilizing fins in training sessions significantly lowered kick frequency, by an average of 40%, while also reducing energy expenditure by 40% at similar speeds. Basically, you swim faster, but don’t work as hard. But don’t forget, ultimately swimming with fins actually makes us better, more effective swimmers without fins!
How to choose fins for swimming from aqualineswim.co.nz
Depending on what your objectives in the pool are, Aqualine has two innovative options when it comes to state-of-the-art custom designed swimming fins.
An essential tool in training, their Long Training Fins strengthen the legs and provide that extra power during extended bouts of kicking. These exceptionally efficient and incredibly comfy swimming fins sport a closed heel for a secure comfortable fit. They’re moulded out of high-grade rubber and provide superior resistance in the water. They’re both lightweight and durable and feel like a natural extension of the foot – making you that one step closer to morphing into your dream aquatic avatar.
The Aqualine Training Fins are fairly short swimming fins ideal for swimmers who are aiming to fine-tune and strengthen their kick. Resistance training and stamina building are a breeze with these beauties. These comfortable and compact training swimming fins are crafted from 100% silicone. They attain new levels of comfort with their foot pocket and soft heel, while the stiff blade provides that extra edge of rocket propelled power and impetus.
How to buy fins for swimming training
We’ve covered the advantages of both long and short fins (long being the choice of scuba divers and snorkelers, and short the choice of sprinters and mid-distance swimmers) – but a few other factors also influence your preference in swimming fins.
Fin Stiffness
Remember, the more rigid the fins, the harder you’ll have to work to kick. If you’re looking for a great workout, stiff swimming fins may be the way to go. However, because they encourage a slower kick tempo, swimmers who seek speed may find them frustrating.
Silicone for the win!
The Aqualine Training Fins are constructed from 100% silicone, which means you can kick up a storm with way less chance of blisters. The silicone’s supreme suppleness also contributes to a more natural, fluid kicking action.
Open vs closed heel
Open heel fins with a strap going around the ankle to keep the fin in place provide a fuller range of motion. These types of fins also remain on the foot better, which is advantageous when you’re pushing off the wall or kicking full out. If your fins are very rigid with closed heels and good ankle flexibility, the top of your heel may dig uncomfortably into your Achilles when kicking.
And finally – the FUN factor!
There’s simply no denying that probably one of the biggest draw cards of swimming fins is they’re FUN!! Slicing through the water like a hot knife through butter at speeds your swimming idols attain (or faster yet) is exhilarating.
Once you’ve experienced the rush of swimming fins the only problem you’ll have is scheduling time out of the water!
