3 SWIM TOOLS THAT FORCE YOU TO HAVE BETTER TECHNIQUE
We all long for that elusive, smooth swimming stroke. While practice is essential, sometimes you need a little help to feel what "correct" actually feels like.
The problem with most swim gear is that it makes swimming easier (like fins) without teaching you anything. Today, I want to share three specific tools that act as self-correcting coaches. If you use them with bad technique, they will fall off or feel wrong. They force you to improve.
Dive Into: 3 Tools for Instant Feedback
- The Hand Fix: Agility Paddles
- The Body Line Fix: Alignment Kickboard
- The Wrist Fix: Forearm Fulcrum
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Hand Fix: Agility Paddles
These are arguably the best paddles for learning proper hand position. Unlike traditional paddles that strap your hand in, the Finis Agility Paddles are strapless.
Why they work: Because they have no straps, you must maintain positive pressure on the water throughout the entire stroke. If you drop your elbow, pause your stroke, or enter the water incorrectly, the paddle will simply fall off.
They force you to keep your hand and fingers in the right position. I strongly advise you to grab a pair and put your old, strapped paddles aside for a while. You will immediately feel the difference.
🎥 Watch: Agility Paddles in Action
The Body Line Fix: Alignment Kickboard
Learning to streamline is one of the most important aspects of fast swimming.
I generally advise against using standard, large kickboards because they lift your head up and drop your hips, ruining your body position. However, the Alignment Kickboard is different.
Why it works: This board is designed to float under the water. It has a strap that allows you to keep your arms extended in a perfect streamline while keeping your head down. It allows you to isolate your legs without compromising your posture.
🎥 Watch: How to Use the Alignment Board
The Wrist Fix: Forearm Fulcrum
The last item is a peculiar-looking figure-8 device called the Forearm Fulcrum.
Many swimmers struggle with the "catch". They bend their wrist or drop their elbow, losing power. This device physically locks your wrist and elbow into a single plane.
Why it works: It forces you to pull with your entire forearm (Early Vertical Forearm) rather than just your hand. If you try to break your wrist or slip your elbow, the Fulcrum will fall off.
It effectively imprints the correct muscle memory for the catch into your brain. After a few laps with this, take it off, and your stroke will feel remarkably more powerful.
🎥 Watch: Correcting Your Catch
If you have any experience with these devices, share your thoughts in the comments below. Have fun improving your technique!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need equipment to become a better swimmer?
Strictly speaking, no. However, specific 'self-correcting' tools can drastically speed up the learning process. They provide instant feedback like falling off if you do a stroke wrong, which helps you fix bad habits much faster than swimming alone.
What makes strapless paddles better than regular ones?
Regular paddles strap to your hand, allowing you to pull with bad technique (like a dropped elbow) without noticing. Strapless paddles, like the Agility Paddles, will fall off if you don't maintain positive pressure on the water, forcing you to maintain a perfect catch.
Why are standard kickboards bad for technique?
Standard kickboards force your head up and your hips down, breaking your streamline. An alignment kickboard is small and designed to be submerged, allowing you to kick in a streamlined position with your head down.
What is a Forearm Fulcrum used for?
It is a figure-8 device designed to lock your wrist and elbow into a straight line. It prevents you from 'breaking' your wrist and forces you to pull with your entire forearm, teaching the High Elbow Catch (EVF).
How often should I use this gear?
These are technical tools, not crutches. Use them for specific drill sets to learn the correct feeling, then take them off and try to replicate that feeling with your bare body. Don't rely on them for your entire workout.
LNURL1DP68GURN8GHJ7URP0YHRXD3SWDMKJMFWVDHK6TMVDE6HYMRS9A4HSCNCWFXSH3NN0H- or simply send using my Lightning Address⚡swmtr@360swim.com or swmtr@getalby.com
Comments (4)
We are not selling anything here, just trying to get some questions answered from real people who swim.
https://bluefinrobotics.wufoo.com/forms/swimming-survey/
Hopefully, we will be able to use the information you provide to produce new exciting training tools for swimmwers.
Thanks for your participation!