Improve Your Swim Power: How & Why To Use Hand Paddles

Paddles! Some swimmers hate them. Some swimmers love them. Most triathletes love them.
But what do they actually do for your swimming? Why should you use them? And when?
Today's video is all about swimming with paddles and how they can transform your stroke!
0:00 - Intro
0:50 - What are hand paddles?
2:10 - When to use them?
2:55 - Technique improvements
3:59 - Build up gradually
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[@gtn]

Do you use hand paddles in the pool? Let us know 👇

[@ngdawgs1]

Yes! One of the earlier GTN videos talked about paddles helping with learning to feel the water. It really has helped me with that and to correct my form 💪🏽. I learned today that I should not use them during warmup, so I’ll make that little adjustment. Thanks as always GTN for helping us through our triathlon journey.

[@gracehollow6293]

Yes! I love using my paddles and buoy. Though I admit, I often use them in my warm up.

[@hurricane7800]

I just bought myself some hand paddles. And as always, discovered you guys released a video about my latest new toy at roughly the same time.

[@aus80srockradio94]

Certainly do. Started with finger paddles and now hand paddles. They're awesome, make so much difference. Best $40 I have ever spent!

[@aus80srockradio94]

@@ngdawgs1 I always do 12 x 50m laps with bare hands, then use the paddles throughout the middle session and then cool down with 300m with bare hands again. I only do freestyle.

[@mosanna20]

Can we talk about how awful it feels when you take them off for the next set though?? 😅 It feels like I'm swimming with tiny chicken feet for hands. 😂

[@sachinlakers4622]

Heck yeah 😂 i feel like im trembling in water drowning 😂 !

[@truthr6023]

Lol that’s the main reason I’m checking paddles videos bc i thought the after feeling is weird

[@JJBpilot]

Then try this drill set. 25 fist swim, 25 normal swim, 25 paddles, repeat.... the 25 after paddles will feel ridiculous and really force you to use that forearm!

[@schnappsundbier2096]

I get the same feeling too but it definitely improved my speed and technique.

[@emmag00]

I use paddles in almost all my swim sessions. Using them along with fins and a pool buoy (not at the same time), has really improved my speed, particularly in open water.

[@caseymaze]

If I can add a secret I learned many, many years ago. First of all, buy the simple rectangular flat ones, not the preformed hydrodynamic ones. Then, remove the wrist strap. You will immediately notice whenever you try and cheat and draw your hand out of the water without finishing your stroke. The paddle will either catch the water like a scoop and wreck your stroke rhythm or even pull off your finger. Itl'll take you maybe 50-100 yards and you will never prematurely pull your elbow out of the water again. Works like a charm. Using the old school flat ones will also really emphasize the need to keep your hand either pointed straight ahead or dropping into that perfect catch position. If you drop it too soon in the glide your momentum will shoot it downward and it'll be obvious and feel adkward....you have to wait for that perfect moment. Hope it helps!!

[@Mxllaveli]

Great tip. Thank you!

[@iggalan]

I’ve recently started training with paddles and it’s true, they emphasize all you do, good or bad, so they’re excellent to work on your technique. Also you work quite a bit more with them so you get a strength workout as well. Use them on short sessions and they make you a better stronger swimmer 🏊‍♀️.

[@truthr6023]

Hats off to the videography of this channel 👏🏻

[@ali1baig]

Thankyou i will add paddle sessions in my training

[@santysmith]

More great stuff from GTN👍I've been swimming now for 3 months and enjoying learning freestyle. Last couple of sessions I've been getting pain in my elbow area after the session. Any ideas🎉

[@moustafamortada]

I use them with my team LBT in pool sessions or in my own. Not more than 25% of the session. You just said it all as usual Heather. I use Zoggs

[@melw2389]

Thank you.

[@markmanleyH2Oactivity]

Thank you for the "paddles" *technique* Advice !!! 🏊🏊🏊

[@oscardelatorre2325]

thank you cheers from Mexico

[@Breakawaybiking]

My wife and I use them to get stronger in the pool and from time to time in OW. Fantastic tool

[@MaxHeadspace9mm]

I’ve always enjoyed swimming with both paddles and swim fins. Not all the time. Just occasionally. Really makes good technique apparent. It also makes bad technique apparent. Also gets me used to swimming faster and makes faster swimming feel more natural. Don’t overdo it though.

[@hurricane7800]

GTN back at it again with mysteriously timing their videos with my latest tri investment 😂

[@gtn]

🕵️‍♀️

[@SwimmingwithYousofandHamza]

How did you record above and below water at the same time?

[@peterroberts6044]

waterproof camera dipped half in the water

[@herobo123456]

Good vid

[@gtn]

Thanks!

[@michellokhorst5883]

I wish I could incorporate them into my sessions, but pools in my area do not allow them (they are afraid you may hurt fellow swimmers, I have pointed out that those swimmers are in danger of drowning so they better take out the water... but they were not amused by that comment). There are even some pool I can no longer use fins.

[@Shevock]

Should swimrunners more often since they're used in the event?

[@cokanyildirim]

I start bending my wrist in early catch phase after using them so i am not training with them anymore. Becouse it took long time to correct high elbow pull again.

[@gcolsls]

Great info as always. And u fine!

[@MrJhockley]

I never got on with paddles. I find they make me faster until i take them off. They also put a lot of strain on my wrists where i would prefer a paddle that emphasises the forearm more. I might try them again in my off season. I prefer to swim with drag shorts if i need a strength workout. I do see the benefit of identifying technique issues but my wrists get tired before i can figure out where i'm going wrong.

[@brandonlarkin3358]

I like using swim paddles to build strength, but are there different lifts or workouts outside the pool to also build strength? Is using paddles a couple times a week enough on its own? Or should I even need extra strength sessions? Thanks!

[@jimjamthebananaman1]

Back rows (barbell or dumbbell) and pull ups are great for building strength that is specific for swimming

[@nbiresev]

Having problem here with low elbow for both hands?

[@sagaciouslysage9454]

How to successfully turn (flip or otherwise) with hand paddles.

[@bp19870]

I swim 2.4km 5 days a week just for fun. I don’t compete or anything and I’m not interested in doing so. I literally just do it to stay healthy. Is it worth me looking into paddles for a couple of my swims a week or just continue swimming?

[@trbeyond]

Nope. If you are having fun without and swimming consistently and have no interest in competing, why change anything? Perhaps if you feel like you need a change some time you could try but I’d say for now to just keep on with what you are doing

[@IntoTheOutside000]

2:28 that's what she said

[@johnoconnor3751]

good job soldier

[@tastemakerguidie]

does your bicycle at wrist follow at ankle one sided

[@tastemakerguidie]

torque wrench aesthetic

[@tastemakerguidie]

at ALL

[@tastemakerguidie]

sandle and mudflap repurpose if thought

[@girz1929]

Am just a beginner swimmer does paddle are useful for me????

[@MultiTrolla]

I do! In most of my trainings, but I lately train for swimruns where you can (and should) wear them during a race

[@fergusdonaghy3124]

probably better concentrating on building up stamina, confidence and relaxed breathing first.

[@gavinhole9296]

Be careful, I injured both shoulders it took 18 months for them to heal.

[@nmbrown]

It's a question of ethics. Ethical coaches use paddles to work on technique. Unethical coaches use paddles for strength.

[@darrenezzell1010]

Ridiculous

[@tonyr.2321]

This bch is talking fast, X.75.

[@paulhetherington3854]

Quick but, healthy stroke = kipp and confidence. That's why: some cultures - spend ours - and scope each - others effect - in rescue school. Mo' Beta'. Br'it'Ain' -- Aye cold season - said- this one - never. Spartaa! Berlin = Br'Lin' -- Freaky cold! But us - two swimmers - set the - swimmer line.