Crush your next triathlon swim thanks to a fins workout in the pool

Of the three disciplines of triathlon, swimming has the most accessible training aids. This is good, because swimming is also the discipline that requires the most technique. If your form is off even slightly, you could be seconds slower every lap than you’re capable of swimming. Training aids like fins will help correct your form and show you the ideal position for your stroke, giving you the best shot at reaching your potential in the water. Don’t have a pair of fins? It’s definitely worth getting some for your future workouts.

Why wear fins?

First and foremost, wearing fins is fun. They make you feel as though you’re flying through the water like Summer McIntosh or Michael Phelps. You’re not going to want to take them off once you try them for the first time. Fun aside, there is also a practical reason to wear fins in training.

You might find (or have been told) that your body tends to sink while you swim, with your head at the water’s surface but your hips and legs dipping deeper. Fins will correct this, propelling you forward and lifting you higher in the water. Fins help you find and maintain the ideal, streamlined body position, allowing you to focus on the rest of your stroke without your sinking base inhibiting your movement.

Fins are also a great training aid because, while you certainly go faster when using them, they don’t make swimming easy or effortless. In fact, you’ll find that your legs are burning and pushed to the limit when you wear fins for hard sets. They are excellent for power development, which will help you become an even stronger swimmer than you already are.