General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Swimming paddles vs. gloves Rss Feed  
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2006-01-17 12:23 PM

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Veteran
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Arlington Heights, IL
Subject: Swimming paddles vs. gloves
I've seen drills call for the little speedo or tyr plastic paddles. Santa didn't know any better, so he brought me some of the neoprene webbed gloves instead. Can these two idems be used interchangably?


2006-01-17 1:41 PM
in reply to: #325752

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Giver
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Subject: RE: Swimming paddles vs. gloves

IMO, paddles are better because you'll get more surface area, therefore more resistance but also better feedback on your hand position in the water.

Also, the gloves make you swim unnaturally, with your fingers spread. 

2006-01-17 1:47 PM
in reply to: #325752

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Expert
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San Diego
Subject: RE: Swimming paddles vs. gloves
gloves will still allow you to not finish your stroke. taking off the band that goes around your wrist on paddles forces you to finish past your hip or the paddle will be pulled off your hand, not all the time, but it happens. I think Strokemakers make the best paddles.
2006-01-17 1:48 PM
in reply to: #325752

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Extreme Veteran
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Stamford, CT
Subject: RE: Swimming paddles vs. gloves
I've never swum with the gloves -i'm not sure what their benefit is? I would try to exchange them for some paddles.
2006-01-17 2:31 PM
in reply to: #325752

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Coach
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Stairway to Seven
Subject: RE: Swimming paddles vs. gloves
You could add the gloves to your kayaking drybag to take out for handsurfing.  Throw your paddle to your friends, put your gloves on and have fun!  Unless you don't kayak in which case I agree with the above. 
2006-01-17 2:44 PM
in reply to: #325752

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Extreme Veteran
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Provo, UT (my heart is in Seattle)
Subject: RE: Swimming paddles vs. gloves
I am a much bigger fan of paddles. I used gloves a few times and they just got in the way. I also didn't feel like they allowed me to swim very efficiently

Edited by Drewwhite 2006-01-17 2:46 PM


2006-01-17 8:21 PM
in reply to: #325752

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Pro
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Virginia Beach, VA
Subject: RE: Swimming paddles vs. gloves
I'd suggest paddles...and don't use the wrist straps!  The reason paddles were initially used was to teach proper hand postion, not to work on stroke strength/power.  Paddles have a little finger loop to hold them to your hand.  If your hand enters the water wrong or you don't keep it in the proper position the paddle will flip off your hand.  At some point people thought that was a flaw of paddles and they added those other straps to keep them from flopping around.  Ever since paddles have been mis-used in an attempt to increase stroke strength.  Paddles can generate excessive torque on the shoulder joint and lead to injury if used improperly.  If you want to really improve your technique and feel for the catch then pick up a pair of fist gloves.  They are basically latex finderless gloves that keep your hand balled up into a fist requiring you to learn how to use your entire forearm and hand as a paddle.
2006-01-17 8:27 PM
in reply to: #325752

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Swimming paddles vs. gloves

hk94 - 2006-01-17 12:23 PM I've seen drills call for the little speedo or tyr plastic paddles. Santa didn't know any better, so he brought me some of the neoprene webbed gloves instead. Can these two idems be used interchangably?

I'll take those gloves off your hands (no pun intended).  If you want to sell them drop me a line.



Edited by oipolloi 2006-01-17 8:28 PM

2006-01-17 8:30 PM
in reply to: #325752

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Extreme Veteran
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Stamford, CT
Subject: RE: Swimming paddles vs. gloves
TH#-good points on paddles.

on fist gloves- you can save your money by simply swimming with your fists closed.
2006-01-17 8:40 PM
in reply to: #326201

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Cole Harbour, NS
Subject: RE: Swimming paddles vs. gloves
Try holding tennis balls while doing fist drill. 
2006-01-17 9:24 PM
in reply to: #325752

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Pro
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Virginia Beach, VA
Subject: RE: Swimming paddles vs. gloves
Very true, but I found that I started to cheat a little.  The gloves let me concentrate on the drill without worrying about keeping ym hands closed.  I don't know how much they cost...I got mine fore "free" at the TI clinic.  After using them for a month I'd say they are well worth the $10 or whatever.


2006-01-18 10:37 AM
in reply to: #325752

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Master
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Falls Church, Virginia
Subject: RE: Swimming paddles vs. gloves
I love my fist gloves....also got them free at my TI clinic. To me it is different than swimming with fisted hands, because the gloves give a sense of sensory depravation. I don't know how swimming with hands all spread out would be, though.
2006-01-18 12:11 PM
in reply to: #326593

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Pro
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Virginia Beach, VA
Subject: RE: Swimming paddles vs. gloves
I haven't taken a single stroke without fist gloves in the past month.  Actually, I haven't taken a single real stroke at all.  I'm 100% drill work now and I use my fist gloves 100% of the time for switch drills.

Atlantia - 2006-01-18 11:37 AMI love my fist gloves....also got them free at my TI clinic. To me it is different than swimming with fisted hands, because the gloves give a sense of sensory depravation. I don't know how swimming with hands all spread out would be, though.
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Swimming paddles vs. gloves Rss Feed