Paddles are one of the most important swimming aids for developing strength and improving swimming technique. With them in your hands, you will get the power for the stroke, develop the right muscles and some can even make you aware of the mistakes you are making when you are swimming.
If you're a beginner, you may want to wait a few weeks or months before using paddles, as they're unnecessary and can be harmful. For those who have been swimming for a while but haven't yet incorporated the use of paddles into their training, we definitely recommend some smaller paddles that are only about 10% wider than the palm of your hand. We should also look for some that follow the shape of the palm and have more holes in them. This way you'll strengthen your stroke, but you won't hurt your technique or yourself. Some great swim paddles to start with are Tech Paddles from Speedo, for example.
If you also want to work on your crawl technique, the Finis crawl paddles are ideal for you, they are not big, their shape makes you stretch your stroke and not cross your arms when you put them in the water.
The most important thing is to get used to the paddles, learn to feel the water and use more power in your stroke. In any case, paddling shouldn't take up more than 20% of your training. As it is something new and more strenuous, it would be good to include a long swim cool-down at the end.
Have you been swimming for a while and the paddles are not completely new to you? Do you feel you need to move up a level? In this case, you can look for paddles that are bigger and flatter. We can also choose some that have more options for tying elastics, leaving them on your fingers only and possibly increasing the difficulty. Look for the Arena Vortex, the Swimaholic Strength Paddles or the Mad Wave Pro Paddles.
Intermediate swimmers can also try other paddles designed to correct technique - the Finis figure eights or finger paddles - such as Speedo's, which are great for training the high elbow during the crawl.
For elite swimmers, the previous models would be almost useless, so we need to look at some larger models, straight paddles, ideally ones where you can attach elastic bands to just one finger, so that as well as strengthening the stroke, you can also train correct execution, the Arena Elite Hand Paddle or Tyr Catalyst Training Paddles are ideal. Of course, there are also smaller paddles that are ideal for training strokes other than the crawl. Because you're used to the paddles and swim with them often, you can use them more often for longer sessions, just be careful not to overload your arms.
We also have the classic high elbow figure eights and a speciality - Mad Wave's anti-paddles. These are very special in their shape and have almost no engagement. This means that when you swim, you need to think not only about high elbows, as with other technical paddles, but also about better footwork, a strong abdomen and correct body position in the water. They are great for making the stroke not only with the palm, but also with the whole forearm.
