Question:

I would agree with Chip Zempel on the Fist Gloves. They really work well in developing a "feel" for the water. Our team is currently doing an evaluation of several different paddles for an upcoming article in SWIM. We’vew got to play with all kinds of weird stuff. My recommendation is to play around with a lot of different styles and sizes and NOT get too attached to any one model. Each will give you a different "feel" and perspective.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am considering getting a set of training paddles and would like some opinions.  Let me first discuss my goals: 1.  I am a beginner triathlete aiming for middle-to-back of the pack finishes in international distance (1500 meter swim) and sprint (800 meter swim) triathlons.  I only want to kick as much as necessary to stop my legs from sinking. 2.  I have several years of running, biking, and light weight training behind me and I’m very bottom-heavy. 3.  I want to increase my strength and endurance and burn lots of calories in the process to get rid of my stubborn spare tire. I’m considering the el-cheapo variety, Catalyst from TYR, and Speedo’s swim mitt’s (I think that’s what they’re called).  The swim mitt also has weights that can be added (interesting, yes; useful ???). Workouts using paddles or gloves would also be appreciated. — "The wrinkles only go where the smiles have been." — J. Buffett

i have used the yellow speedo paddles for years and years and the paddles _can_ be a great way to build strength and technique, and at the same time can cause you agonizing pain. if a swimmer is bent on using paddles, i always tell them to make sure that someone who knows about stroke technique takes a look at their stroke to make sure they are doing it correctly, and then gradually ease into paddles as they learn to correct their stroke.  once you get your stroke down, and then get it down with the paddles, you can get amazing results _if you don’t over use the paddles_!!! i recently switched to the speedo mit gloves and i noticed an overall improvement in my upper body strength without the shoulder pain.  they do take some getting used to. i usually do a 5×5x5 warmup, and i use two weights in each glove.  later, when i do long swim sets like 5 x 200’s or greater distances, i find that i do get enough of a workout with just the gloves with no weights in them.  i find that my body uses oxygen differently and i feel like i’ve worked much harder after each set and notice improvements in my recovery times. the way the gloves are being marketed is kind of interesting.  i went to sportmart recently and saw that only the gloves with no weights cost around 20 bucks, but if you go to the speedo store, you can get the gloves and 6 weights for 30 bucks.  i thought this was strange. just my $.02. orlando — UCI  ’89   Office Phone (voice mail): (408) 864-2904 (Cupertino, CA) CSUF ‘92                       Pager: (415) 232-5132 (San Francisco, CA) http://www.aimnet.com/~orlando "por amarte juntaria la lluvia con el fuego." e. iglesias

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am considering getting a set of training paddles and would like some opinions.  Let me first discuss my goals: 1.  I am a beginner triathlete aiming for middle-to-back of the pack finishes in international distance (1500 meter swim) and sprint (800 meter swim) triathlons.  I only want to kick as much as necessary to stop my legs from sinking. 2.  I have several years of running, biking, and light weight training behind me and I’m very bottom-heavy. 3.  I want to increase my strength and endurance and burn lots of calories in the process to get rid of my stubborn spare tire. I’m considering the el-cheapo variety, Catalyst from TYR, and Speedo’s swim mitt’s (I think that’s what they’re called).  The swim mitt also has weights that can be added (interesting, yes; useful ???). Workouts using paddles or gloves would also be appreciated. — "The wrinkles only go where the smiles have been." — J. Buffett Louis- I recently wrote a survey article for Fitness Swimmer magazine that is due to appear in the December issue. We tried to obtain samples of all the paddles and gloves that were on the market, gave them to a Masters team to experiment with, and evaluated them. I also did a survey of readers here in r.s.t and r.s.s. about what brands they used and liked, what problems they’d experienced, and any other tips, etc., they cared to offer. To make a long story short, the paddles the group liked best (including myself) were the Stingrays, available from Stingray Paddles, P.O. Box 547, Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 662-3245. They come in four sizes – you would probably want one of the middle sizes, either the SR-90 ($15.95) or the SR-100 ($17.95). Shipping is an additional $4. Give them a call, tell them your needs and your background, and they’ll help you decide which size will suit you best. The Stingrays are a molded paddle that feels very comfortable on the hand and keeps the center of pressure down on the palm instead of farther out on the fingertips (this may reduce the chance of shoulder injury). Be sure to follow the instructions for installing the straps – it’s different than most paddles, and very comfortable! The other item that I got really excited about is the Fistglove. Our testers generally either loved these or hated them. (I and my assistant coach both chose the fistglove as the best product we tested, for what that’s worth.) It’s basically a latex (same material as basic swim caps) mitten that goes over your balled-up fist, with a separate thumb (so you can put the other fistglove on (!) and adjust your goggles, etc.) When you swim with the fistgloves on for a while (like during your warm-up, or through the first set) and then take them off, your hands feel incredibly sensitized to the water. Your hands feel so BIG, you feel like you’ve got paddles on! They are great for improving your technique and feel for the water. Fistgloves come in 7 sizes and cost $5.95. (I’m not sure if there’s an additional charge for shipping and handling.) The manufacturer is UFG Enterprises, P.O. Box 2558, Wrightwood, CA 92397, suggestion of using a couple of drops of conditioner to make it easier to slip the gloves on over your hands – we ripped a couple of pairs before we got the hang of it!) Be careful about using paddles, as other replies to your posting have suggested. Ease into using them gradually, and discontinue them if you experience any pain in your shoulders – especially at a point right in front of the shoulder between the front and middle lobes of the deltoid. On the other hand, I doubt that you could use the fistgloves too much! These are both terrific products being made by individuals who are trying to give us swimmers something new and truly useful. They deserve our support. (Besides, they’re making the best stuff available, IMHO.) Chip Zempel Disclaimer: I have no financial interests in either Stingray Paddles or UFG Fistgloves. But I do regularly contribute to Fitness Swimmer magazine, and the opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily those of the magazine. P.S. Thanks to all of you at r.s.s. and r.s.t. who participated in my survey. I do still plan on posting a summary, but I’ve been swamped with work and family obligations lately, and haven’t gotten around to it yet. Chip

Thanks to everyone who replied to my post.  Not sure what I’ll do, yet, but at least I’m more informed. — "The wrinkles only go where the smiles have been." — J. Buffett

Response:

I am considering getting a set of training paddles and would like some opinions.  Let me first discuss my goals: 1.  I am a beginner triathlete aiming for middle-to-back of the pack finishes in international distance (1500 meter swim) and sprint (800 meter swim) triathlons.  I only want to kick as much as necessary to stop my legs from sinking. 2.  I have several years of running, biking, and light weight training behind me and I’m very bottom-heavy. 3.  I want to increase my strength and endurance and burn lots of calories in the process to get rid of my stubborn spare tire. I’m considering the el-cheapo variety, Catalyst from TYR, and Speedo’s swim mitt’s (I think that’s what they’re called).  The swim mitt also has weights that can be added (interesting, yes; useful ???). Workouts using paddles or gloves would also be appreciated. — "The wrinkles only go where the smiles have been." — J. Buffett

Response:

1.  I am a beginner triathlete aiming for middle-to-back of the pack finishes in international distance (1500 meter swim) and sprint (800 meter swim) triathlons.  I only want to kick as much as necessary to stop my legs from sinking.

Welcome aboard! I’m considering the el-cheapo variety, Catalyst from TYR, and Speedo’s swim mitt’s (I think that’s what they’re called).  The swim mitt also has weights that can be added (interesting, yes; useful ???). Workouts using paddles or gloves would also be appreciated.

If you are new to swimming, you should be careful with the paddles.  They are useful for increasing your strenghth but are very hard on the arms and shoulders.  I would recommend starting off doing only about 10% of your distance using paddles.  Also, don’t sprint and only use them for a couple hundred yards at a time. When I do a workout where I feel like I’m doing a lot of pulling (using paddles), it is usually about 30 or 40 % of the day’s yardage, and I don’t do that very often – once a week at the most but usually every 10 to 14 days. As far as the weighted gloves, I think they’re probably like wearing ankle weights when you run.  Probably more dangerous.  My arms get heavy enough without weights :) . Not wanting to kick much might be a good race day strategy, but it is best to learn proper swimming technique.  Swimming is much more technique involved than running and biking.  Since you are starting out, you don’t have any bad habits to break.  Check out some books at the library to show you good technique and some beginning workouts. Good Luck. — "The wrinkles only go where the smiles have been." — J. Buffett

– All comments and opinions expressed are those of my employer and not my own.  Please sue them and leave me out of it. Tod Meinke

Response:

[snip of lots of good stuff] Just to add my $.02, be *very* careful with paddles.  They’re typically marketed as "strength-training" devices, but are incredibly dangerous when used as such.   Personally, when I strap them on (and I do) I have feel/technique in mind.  The paddles serve to exaggerate what I do right and wrong.  I "glide" on them and avoid quick additions of speed/power during the stroke cycle.  Strength past a certain point is of questionable value in swimming anyway, based on some of the studies of elite swimmers. Good luck! Ed

Response:

1.  I am a beginner triathlete aiming for middle-to-back of the pack finishes in international distance (1500 meter swim) and sprint (800 meter swim) triathlons.  I only want to kick as much as necessary to stop my legs from sinking.

You’ve pretty much got the right idea as far as kick goes.  In a long freestyle, only about 10% of your power should be from the kick-just let those legs dangle and steer. 2.  I have several years of running, biking, and light weight training behind me and I’m very bottom-heavy. 3.  I want to increase my strength and endurance and burn lots of calories in the process to get rid of my stubborn spare tire.

Don’t get frustrated.  Good swimming has a fairly high learning curve, and learning effective technique is the most important thing to do in the beginning.  Look for a local masters team if you can.  The people there can help you with strokes, and working out in a competitive environment WILL make you put more effort into things. I’m considering the el-cheapo variety, Catalyst from TYR, and Speedo’s swim mitt’s (I think that’s what they’re called).  The swim mitt also has weights that can be added (interesting, yes; useful ???). Workouts using paddles or gloves would also be appreciated.

IHMO, the main thing paddles do is teach you proper hand placement.  If you’re not pulling right, they’ll pull off.  Using gloves doesn’t provide the same negative reinforcement, so I’d go with the paddles.  I’d also skip anything that involved adding weights to gloves. As far as specific workouts go, just use the paddles as part of a regular set without doing anything special.  The important thing to remember about paddles and such is that they WILL put more stress on your shoulders when you use them.    Make sure that you spend quality time stretching and warming up (I’d say 500 yds minimum) and that you go at least 100yds easy without the paddles after you use them during a set. Additionally, if you are having shoulder problems, you should never use hand paddles. I hope I haven’t scared you off using them because they can be a very useful aid in teaching you proper hand placement. Jill Gillham "God grant me the strength to change the things I can change, the wisdom to accept the things I cannot change, and the wisdom to hide the bodies of those who piss me off"

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am considering getting a set of training paddles and would like some opinions.  Let me first discuss my goals: 1.  I am a beginner triathlete aiming for middle-to-back of the pack finishes in international distance (1500 meter swim) and sprint (800 meter swim) triathlons.  I only want to kick as much as necessary to stop my legs from sinking. 2.  I have several years of running, biking, and light weight training behind me and I’m very bottom-heavy. 3.  I want to increase my strength and endurance and burn lots of calories in the process to get rid of my stubborn spare tire. I’m considering the el-cheapo variety, Catalyst from TYR, and Speedo’s swim mitt’s (I think that’s what they’re called).  The swim mitt also has weights that can be added (interesting, yes; useful ???). Workouts using paddles or gloves would also be appreciated. — "The wrinkles only go where the smiles have been." — J. Buffett

Louis- I recently wrote a survey article for Fitness Swimmer magazine that is due to appear in the December issue. We tried to obtain samples of all the paddles and gloves that were on the market, gave them to a Masters team to experiment with, and evaluated them. I also did a survey of readers here in r.s.t and r.s.s. about what brands they used and liked, what problems they’d experienced, and any other tips, etc., they cared to offer. To make a long story short, the paddles the group liked best (including myself) were the Stingrays, available from Stingray Paddles, P.O. Box 547, Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505) 662-3245. They come in four sizes – you would probably want one of the middle sizes, either the SR-90 ($15.95) or the SR-100 ($17.95). Shipping is an additional $4. Give them a call, tell them your needs and your background, and they’ll help you decide which size will suit you best. The Stingrays are a molded paddle that feels very comfortable on the hand and keeps the center of pressure down on the palm instead of farther out on the fingertips (this may reduce the chance of shoulder injury). Be sure to follow the instructions for installing the straps – it’s different than most paddles, and very comfortable! The other item that I got really excited about is the Fistglove. Our testers generally either loved these or hated them. (I and my assistant coach both chose the fistglove as the best product we tested, for what that’s worth.) It’s basically a latex (same material as basic swim caps) mitten that goes over your balled-up fist, with a separate thumb (so you can put the other fistglove on (!) and adjust your goggles, etc.) When you swim with the fistgloves on for a while (like during your warm-up, or through the first set) and then take them off, your hands feel incredibly sensitized to the water. Your hands feel so BIG, you feel like you’ve got paddles on! They are great for improving your technique and feel for the water. Fistgloves come in 7 sizes and cost $5.95. (I’m not sure if there’s an additional charge for shipping and handling.) The manufacturer is UFG Enterprises, P.O. Box 2558, Wrightwood, CA 92397, suggestion of using a couple of drops of conditioner to make it easier to slip the gloves on over your hands – we ripped a couple of pairs before we got the hang of it!) Be careful about using paddles, as other replies to your posting have suggested. Ease into using them gradually, and discontinue them if you experience any pain in your shoulders – especially at a point right in front of the shoulder between the front and middle lobes of the deltoid. On the other hand, I doubt that you could use the fistgloves too much! These are both terrific products being made by individuals who are trying to give us swimmers something new and truly useful. They deserve our support. (Besides, they’re making the best stuff available, IMHO.) Chip Zempel Disclaimer: I have no financial interests in either Stingray Paddles or UFG Fistgloves. But I do regularly contribute to Fitness Swimmer magazine, and the opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily those of the magazine. P.S. Thanks to all of you at r.s.s. and r.s.t. who participated in my survey. I do still plan on posting a summary, but I’ve been swamped with work and family obligations lately, and haven’t gotten around to it yet. Chip

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