The athlete approved guide to using paddles for lap swimming

athleteapproved.com

December 16, 2020

The Best technique paddles for lap swimming: finis agility paddles

Finis is known as the leading innovator in the swimming community. The Finis Agility Paddles are unique because they are strapless! The ergonomically advanced design makes these paddles second to none when using paddles for technical feedback.

The Finis Team won the prestigious Red Dot Award for these paddles which recognizes top product designs.

Agility Paddles promote the correct pull pattern, which makes them our top choice for learning technique. The strapless design gives you instant feedback on all four strokes. If the paddle slips off, then there is a flaw in your stroke.

Place your thumb through the streamlined hole. It is best to apply pressure with your hand vs gripping with your thumb.

Try taking a few strokes of your best technique with them, letting them go mid-pool, then holding that technique for a few strokes without them. This is made possible since they are strapless. And an extra bonus feature is that they float!

Any swimmer knows that the first part of a paddle that breaks over time is the strap. Since these do not have a strap, they are built to last.

Finis makes these paddles in small, medium, and large.

 
The best freestyle paddles for lap swimming: finis freestyler paddles

The Finis Freestyler Paddles have been perfected specifically for freestyle. They have a pointed edge and surf-board-like fin on the bottom that helps provide instant feedback on your stroke. These paddles are truly one of a kind and our top pick for freestyle.

The Freestyler Paddles do two things for freestylers:

  • They prevent crossover
  • They teach you to guide out on each stroke

When you swim freestyle, it is best to extend straight over your shoulder. Eliminating crossover from your mid-line will reduce shoulder stress and increase your distance per stroke. The paddles will automatically correct should you crossover. Since there is no wrist strap, the paddles will easily redirect your hand forward.

The second feature you will love about these paddles is that they will improve your glide. When swimming long freestyle (what we refer to as Hip Driven Freestyle), you will immediately feel how these paddles promote a longer distance per stroke. The less strokes you take in a lap, the less energy you need to use.

These paddles are made in yellow for adults and white for children.

 
The best specialty paddles for lap swimming: finis iso paddles

The Finis Iso Paddles are yet another amazing design by Finis. Like the Agility Paddles, they are strapless. They are the 3rd Finis paddle on our Athlete Approved list and our top pick for speciality paddles.

The Iso Paddles isolate specific muscle groups during the pull. They can be worn two ways:

  • Black Paddle on Left + Yellow Paddle on Right: Isolates the lat, triceps, and trap muscles
  • Yellow Paddle on Left + Black Paddle on Right: Isolates the chest, bicep, and deltoid muscles

Freestylers and backstrokers should go with the first method (Black Paddle on Left + Yellow Paddle on Right). This will put more pressure on the outside of your hands. As you pull, you will engage your lat, triceps, and trap muscles.

Breaststrokers and butterfliers should go with the second method (Yellow Paddle on Left + Black Paddle on Right). This will put more pressure on the inside of your hands. As you pull, you will engage your chest, bicep and deltoid muscles.

We also love these paddles for sculling. Sculling is when you move your hands in a figure 8 motion. Doing this will strengthen the little muscles in your shoulders. It is great to do this during warm up and when getting back into swimming shape.

Being strapless, they are super durable and one of the coolest training tools out there.

Finis makes these paddles in small, medium, and large.

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