How To Swim Faster Training With Fins

Time to add a pair of fins to your swim bag! Find out how training with fins can improve your swimming technique, help you swim faster, and more.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:50 Different Types of Fins
4:25 How to Pick Your Pair of Fins
6:43 Benefits of Fins
11:38 How to Use Fins
13:50 Example Workouts

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About Coach Fares:

[katrine]

I’m teaching myself swimming techniques and your videos are SO helpful. I’m 65. I just bought short fins. You can teach an old arthritic dog new tricks. And thank you 1000% for showing swimmers who do not have perfect bodies. I can relate.

[copypaste]

Just ripped my Speedo Biofuse fins. Rinse your fins after swimming!

[ellee]

I swam with fins for the first time today (started swimming last summer but this was my first time using fins) and loved them I felt so fast moving through the water and then after I took them off also felt faster than usual and my technique felt a bit better too it was amazing!!

[markspinozzi]

I picked up the Finis edge fins recently. I recommend them. They are a heavier fin that really works your legs and core. The great thing about them is when you take the edge fins off they make the Arena pro-fins seem light, which are normally a more advanced fin.

[kayplayforth]

Fabulous instructions for all. I love the rounded fins I have used these especially for my beginner Breast/Stroke swimmers they really work on kids that have One foot that automatically turns in! Thanks Again.

[zoltankalacska]

Wow. Loved this video! I'd say the longer the fins are, the more the material and the characteristics matter. Also, shorter fins corner better. A rule of thumb is that mass-produced plastics fins are for scuba diving, they are cheap and comfy, but they can fall off and they are not so good for swimming, really. Then there are high-end composite fins made out of fiberglass or carbon. They have a flat blade and they flex much better than plastic ones, giving more of your power into the thrust. They are shorter than scuba fins, so they are more agile, they are really designed for swimming. They have one huge disadvantage, and this is where rubber fins come in. There are 4 brands, one French, one Türkish and 2 Hungarians. I use the latter two, Najade and Muréna. These fins are based on a German army design, they have straps so they don't fall off, they are fast and agile, and they even have a comfort mode and a sport mode :D They share 2 huge advantages compared to composite fins: 1. they are cheaper 2. they don't twist the ankles (flat blades will always twist your ankles :( )
And yes, do use fins, regardless of your level: if you're learning to swim, it makes the whole process easier, later on you'll love how playful one can get in the water wearing fins. You'll be soo much faster! And it's a great way to improve your naked swimming too, as you'll need to pay attention to your pose to reduce the drag.

[oscardelatorre]

thank you for all these videos!!! these videos helps a lot on my trainings

[BrooklyFire]

the monofin looks so fun!! but its so expensive!

[vedeshsingh]

Many many thanks for genuine information regarding fins.Keep it up.💪💪

[abzalsaduakassov]

Thank you for the video. I will get the fins after this video to improve my swimming skills. By the way I downloaded the app. Thanks a lot

[marilynnfreeman]

Swam with my fins today - first time I’ve known how to really use them! Thanks for instructions and workout! They are a very short pair by Keifer.

[syedsharin]

Thank you so much, very informative🙏💕
I am a learner, initially I was able to move, then the other day not able to move while kicking legs, got discouraged,
Now I will buy short fins😊

[kenwen]

Biomechanically, if the resistance from the fin increases the arch in your lower back then its a possibility. So I’d recommend working on core strength and hip flexor flexibility

[jonlucca]

Fantastic. So clear and intelligible! Big thanks.

[shawnsharanrealestate]

Great content.

whats the difference - between half foot packet fin vs full foot pocket fin.
Which one is ideal for swim trainning - beginner ?

[AdamHelb]

Can you comment on open heel strap fins vs closed heel fins?

[robohippy]

Well, several things from me here. One, just because they can be used for swimming the whip kick/breast stroke, it doesn't mean that they will actually 'work' for the whip kick. I have never been any good at breast stroke because I am very pigeon toed, and my feet will not turn out enough to get any propulsion from the whip kick. The whip kick uses the side of your foot, not the top and bottom, please correct me if I am wrong about this. To use more standard fins, they are sliding through the water rather than in the direction that will give the most resistance/benefit for that kick. The stubby ones can be used this way, but the longer ones can't. I have seen specialized fins for the whip kick, and they have a big scoop that is on the sole of the foot. It works for breast stroke only.

Second point is the frog feet concept for fins, which just isn't right. Our feet are 3 D, not flat like duck or frog feet. For the flutter kick and the dolphin kick, to get the most power from the kick, we have to go pigeon toed which adds another 15 degrees of plantar/dorsi flexion to our feet, and we use the entire side of our feet for propulsion rather than just the toes, which is what happens if you 'point' your toes. Discovering this 5 or so years ago allowed me to take my 25 yard flutter kick down from almost 60 seconds to about 35 seconds now. Note here, I push off only enough to get up to kicking speed, no hard push off and underwater dolphin kicks. Of the positive drive fins I have seen, I use the ones from Finis, which are like the orange and black ones in this video. Saw identical ones marketed as 'surf rescue fins'. Another variation are the gold fins shown very briefly at about 10:15 by that woman swimmer, but I couldn't catch the brand. A third one were the Aqua fins which were a Michael Phelps signature brand. The common concept behind all of these are that the foot is off center in the fin rather than being centered like with the frog feet style. What this does when you use them, is that they actually turn your feet in. Essential for stronger flutter and dolphin kicks. I tried the Aqua fins, and couldn't get my feet into them, even when going to the next size up from what 'should' have fit me. I cut about 1 1/2 inches out of the top of them, and still couldn't get my feet into them. Might be my fullback/line backer ankles... All of these fins come in right and left foot models, and you can flip them over, so they will still work on either foot. Most of the fin is to the outside, and a small portion is towards the inside/big toe.

With the mid length fins, I have noticed one common thing to almost every one that uses them. While swimming my over arm side stroke, I see every thing in the pool. Almost without exception, even the swim team kids will start the front side kick (down in freestyle, up in back stroke) with their ankle flexed to about 30 degrees, which is what I call runner's foot. Not a good habit to get into.

Another thing I have done is to modify all of my fins. I want holes in both the top and the bottom. Used an 1/4 inch leather punch on my positive drive fins. Besides making it easier to get my feet in and out, it lets the water flow through so I can actually feel the water flowing between my toes. This gives me a much better 'feel' for the water for feedback to make sure I focus on both the front and back side kicks.

I do want fins that float. The yellow stubby ones from Finis sink. The Finis positive drive fins float, and so do the aqua fins.

Trying to learn butterfly after 50 years of not swimming it. I do have a weak kick, and can barely make a length of the pool without fins. I have a lot of work to do....

Long time ago I figured out the easier way to put on my stubby fins. Slip the foot in, then tap your toes into the wall to move your foot in, then pull up the heel strap. Easier than trying to wrestle it into place. To remove them, same process, tap your toes into the wall which moves your foot forward. Then slip your finger into the heel or even use the other foot to push the heel of the fin off of your foot. This is where sinking fins can be a pain, depending on how deep your pool is....

[be-kind]

which is better, the fins with the thin straps on the back or one with a full foot step-in?

[ok-xdnk]

Hi, I only have long fins and I can't afford other fins. I only learned right now that it is best for underwaters. Can I still use them for normal swims?

[JPx]

My 10&u kid uses long fins in their swim team. Long fins help focus on technique, at a pace closer to race speed. They also swim almost continuously for 1-2 hours a day 5 days a week. So, the longer fins allow them to train for longer periods with less fatigue.

They also switch to short fins for shorter training periods. Short fins tend to be used more for the faster 11+ age swimmers, that often need to focus on more power in their stroke.

Training with short fins might be more of a benefit for full size adults, where it would make a 25yd pool feel longer. For those lucky enough to train in a long course pool, then the long fins might make more sense, to minimize fatigue.