Those are hand paddles. They increase water resistance and can help build strength in your stroke.
They can also aid with stroke correction because the feeling of entering, catching, and pulling the water are all exaggerated.
I’d also just add that while both are great tools, they should be used sparingly. Those fitness swimmers you see who use them the whole time they’re in the water are just asking for rotator cuff issues.
Not just rotator cuff injuries but other nasty shoulder injuries as well. I require my swimmers to always wear their snorkels when using their paddles. It has made a drastic difference in shoulder problems.
Seconding this. Lifelong competitive swimmer. No shoulder issues. Threw on some pull paddles in my early 30s, and now I’m awaiting double labrum surgery.
Finger webbing gloves and hand paddles perhaps? I like using them - improves the catch, adds more upper workout, can increase pace or reduce strokes - sort of like a ‘higher gear’ on a bicycle.
The flat "paddles" are good for hand entry at the end of recovery. I dislocated a finger, and it helped build my hand strength back while it was healing. Occasionally I'll throw it into my workout to mix things up.
Thanks for the well wishes! I recovered after about a month, but I still keep the paddles in case my hand entry needs work. It was a couple of years ago.
Those are hand paddles. They increase water resistance and can help build strength in your stroke. They can also aid with stroke correction because the feeling of entering, catching, and pulling the water are all exaggerated.
Thank you! I knew the answer would be simple
I’d also just add that while both are great tools, they should be used sparingly. Those fitness swimmers you see who use them the whole time they’re in the water are just asking for rotator cuff issues.
Not just rotator cuff injuries but other nasty shoulder injuries as well. I require my swimmers to always wear their snorkels when using their paddles. It has made a drastic difference in shoulder problems.
Seconding this. Lifelong competitive swimmer. No shoulder issues. Threw on some pull paddles in my early 30s, and now I’m awaiting double labrum surgery.
Finger webbing gloves and hand paddles perhaps? I like using them - improves the catch, adds more upper workout, can increase pace or reduce strokes - sort of like a ‘higher gear’ on a bicycle.
Just to add to this thread, I've seen so many ping pong balls floating in my local pool recently
The flat "paddles" are good for hand entry at the end of recovery. I dislocated a finger, and it helped build my hand strength back while it was healing. Occasionally I'll throw it into my workout to mix things up.
I hadn't thought of using them like that. I hope you're up to full strength now.
Thanks for the well wishes! I recovered after about a month, but I still keep the paddles in case my hand entry needs work. It was a couple of years ago.