Fins vs no fins

[gioberg11]

I've been swimming for a month now and have gotten my time down to 8:44 with fins. I started wearing the fins about 3 weeks ago. I swam today for the first time without my fins and I felt like i was swimming much slower. Is this normal? As anyone had similar experiences?

Thanks

[gioberg11]

good question king. i'm wondering the same thing. i got a new css video from stew's site today on practicing the css stroke. maybe you and others can tell me if you follow the same techniques.

when using fins, do not use a scissor kick instead use constant flutterkicks.
i tried that today and my time was 8:22.

afterwards, i was without fins and did an 11:30 with only the scissorkicks.

[missathletic]

I heard a good swimmer can get across a 25 yard pool in 3-5 strokes, but I can't do it in less than 8, how many strokes does it take you guys?

I just started last week and my 500 was 13:17. =(

[gioberg11]

when i first started swimming a month ago, i could do about 8 strokes (without fins).

then i started to use fins (with a scissor kick-not correct though), and got to about 6-7 strokes.

then this week i used fins with constant flutterkicks and was at 5 strokes the whole time.

i wanna try to get to 6-7 strokes without fins though.

[SilentSnake]

I heard a good swimmer can get across a 25 yard pool in 3-5 strokes, but I can't do it in less than 8, how many strokes does it take you guys?

I just started last week and my 500 was 13:17. =(


I tested my 500 today and got a 9:55...I usually do about 6-7 strokes across the pool. Things I think about when I swim to help me move efficiently: 1. strong kick and glide off the wall...I push hard and really hold my biceps close to my ears with with one hand on top of the other..and my legs are together w/ toes pointed..I hold that for probably 10 yards..it feels slow but you really slice through the water if you're compact. 2. slow and smooth strokes...if you get too fast in your strokes you can get sloppy. 3. Strong powerful kicks and bring your feet back together w/ toes pointed...or you can flutter kick a bit if you want..I usually glide 2-3 seconds and go into my next stroke. 4. really make sure you're not lifting your head when you breath...it's really important to roll your upperbody like a poll is running through your head to your waist...if you lift your head you'll lower your legs and really increase drag..when I turn I keep my lower arm extended for a second over my head to increase my length.

If you can get across in 8 strokes but you're swimming a 13+ then maybe your kick isn't strong enough...just keep up your swimming...When I started a few months ago I literally couldn't swim 200 yards without stopping! I just swam and swam...it pays off!

[missathletic]

Thanks for all the tips! I'll definitely think about those things when I'm in the water.

[SilentSnake]

Ya no problem...you're trying for EOD, right? You'll probably be doing a lot of swimming with fins then...how are you there? If you haven't, I'd find out which fins to buy..or just go for the duck feet or rocket fins and practice all the time w/ those.

[missathletic]

I just started swimming last week so I haven't swam in fins yet. I did buy some rockets on ebay yesterday so hopefully they'll fit and I'll get going with that. My legs I'm sure are going to need some major developement, I heard first time with fins is brutal.

[cignus]

King,

Unless things have changed in the last few years you won’t swim in fins while in boot. If you have the opportunity to use them before boot and get used to them I would say to do that anyway. Although you may get out of shape with them while in boot, the technique that you learn now will stick with you until you graduate. Then when you get back into fins you will be ahead of the game a little. You can supplement using fins for lots of flutter kicks in boot. Your hip flexors are the main muscles that you will be using when you are using fins. I can’t think of anything to use to keep your ankles strong but at least you can strengthen your legs with flutter kicks.

[leahy_j]

Rather than posting a new thread, I think this question will fit in here. And please only people who KNOW the answer, answer this.

Someone on here said they use flutterkicks with there fins, and not scissor kicks. Is this the correct way to do the CSS with fins? (that is, constant flutterkicks)

[mmaakuma]

Rather than posting a new thread, I think this question will fit in here. And please only people who KNOW the answer, answer this.

Someone on here said they use flutterkicks with there fins, and not scissor kicks. Is this the correct way to do the CSS with fins? (that is, constant flutterkicks)
Stew Smith knows

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CM4vCf5rJA

Watch 1:40 on

Oh yeah, having a big scissor kick with rockets is pretty hard to do.

[mmaakuma]

As far as stroke count goes, for me, it depends on the speed I want to go at.

If I'm going for speed, I get through in about 7-8 strokes for a 8:36 (timed myself today)

For my long swims, I get across in around 4-5 strokes because I glide more in between pulls, but I'm slower. I don't time my 500 yd splits, but it's probably just under 10:00

[leahy_j]

thanks man, that answers it.