Wednesday Wisdom - Swimming Aids as Training Tools

Swimming Aids as Training Tools
by: Brooks Doughtie

Ever gotten on the pool deck and seen someone with swim accessories lying on the pool deck?  Fins, paddles, kickboards, snorkel, and pull buoys are all "swim toys" that can be used to improve your swim and enjoyment in the water.  At Inside Out we have coaches and experienced athletes that have all used or suggest each swim accessory to improve your swim.  We will briefly go into each accessory.

Swim Paddles - Great tool to increase strength in the arm catch and arm pull phase of the swim stroke.

Swim Fins - Great swim aid to work on improving the kick, and making you immediately swim faster. Fins & Paddles - (insideoutsports.com)

Pull Buoy - Great tool to help improve body position in the water and working on improving your swim stroke.

Kickboard - Used to help improve your kick while allowing your face to stay above water.  Pull Buoys & Kickboards  (insideoutsports.com)

Snorkel - Great tool allows the swimmer to focus on stroke improvements without having to worry about rotating to breath.

These are all great swim aids that can be added to your swim training to get you faster in the water.  Swim paddles should be correctly sized and done in moderate volume because you will be putting more strain on your shoulders.  All the other swim aids can be used safely throughout a swim workout.  Each of these swim aids are great to add to your swim bag and will help you enjoy swimming the next time you are at the pool!