Increase fitness and Cardiovascular Conditioning
Although swimming is considered one of the best aerobic
or cardiovascular-conditioning exercises, many people
forget to use their legs where the largest muscles
are located. Since the greatest cardiovascular benefits
come from including the highest percentage of the
body's muscles - that's why cross-country skiing and
rowing are considered two of the most demanding sports
- it makes sense that swimmers who activate the large
muscle mass of the legs by kicking will benefit from
a more demanding workout that burns more calories
and increases fitness levels. Add fins to the equation
and the increased load they add to the legs means
that as long as exertion levels remain high, the cardiovascular
system gets an even more intense workout with even
greater fitness benefits. Unlike all other swim fins, even
those with open toe drains, only Force Fin swimming
fins are designed to concentrate the force of the
blade further back on the foot, using the muscles
of the whole leg, not just the lower leg. Increase Ankle Flexibility
Have you ever noticed that runners, cyclists or triathletes
new to swimming who start a serious swim program have
a hard time just kicking and going anywhere? In fact,
they sometimes go backward! One reason is that their
ankles are so inflexible that when they kick, their
feet act like hooks, catching the water and pulling
the frustrated swimmer in the wrong direction.
Good swimmers, on the other hand, can hyperextend
(plantar flex) their ankles, pointing their toes so
that the top of the foot forms a straight line with
the shin. Because of the extra load from the increased
surface area that fins provide, swimming or kicking
with fins forces ankle extension during the power
phase (pushing down when swimming freestyle) of the
kick. Repeated fin use eventually stretches the ankles,
increasing their flexibility for moving in all directions
and helping the kick become more propulsive and efficient.
The extra load from the increased surface area that
fins provide, swimming or kicking with fins forces
ankle extension during the power phase (pushing down
when swimming freestyle) of the kick. Repeated fin
use eventually stretches the ankles, increasing their
flexibility for moving in all directions and helping
the kick become more propulsive and efficient.
Develop Leg Strength
Kicking with fins is like lifting weights: the added
resistance of the water on the blade of the fin increases
the workload on your leg muscles. Your body adapts
by increasing the strength and endurance of the muscles
involved. Stronger muscles move more water making
you swim faster, all other things being equal.
A word about specificity: It's important to realize
that muscular strength for swimming needs to be "specific."
Good runners, cyclists, roller bladders, etc. can
have very strong leg muscles, but the muscles have
developed for running, cycling or roller blading,
not for swimming. Fins develop leg strength specifically
for swimming, and in a way that few other activities
can.
"Force Fin swimming fins utilize the body's strength
and put it where it's needed. Zoomers are nice swim fins along with the rubber viper fins god for training with a child. The human body is built
to have more strength when kicking down (during freestyle),
than when kicking up. The downward or power phase
of the kick emphasizes the powerful quadriceps muscle
group at the front and side of the upper leg. The
upward, recovery phase uses the weaker hamstrings
at the back of the thigh. While still developing both
sets of muscles, our blade design assists -- or helps
take the load off -- the upward recovery phase that
uses the weaker muscles, maximizing energy efficient swim fins"
