Just started using fins… the regular kind that have a pretty good size fin/surface area. A fellow triathlete/swim instructor told me regular fins are only good for strengthening hamstrings/hips but dont help out with form/kicking. He mentioned Zoomers helped you learn to kick better and will make you an overall faster swimmer. Any thoughts on this? Are they helping any of you?
Both are good for separate reasons like you were told. There are fins that are closer to regular size but have a split in the middle which can be a bit better and are a good compromise as they will let you kick faster.
Zoomers (and other short fins) also fit a lot better in your bag. That’s the main reason I cut mine down.
Regular fins can help form-wise if you’re working on learning how to kick more from the hips and less from the knees. Either type will help you with ankle flexibility issues.
IMO, the area where Zoomers win is that they’re closer to what full stroke swimming is without fins, and it’s frequently good to get as close to that as you can when you drill.
I’m partial to the Zura Alpha fins. Used Zoomers for years, but due to their heavier weight, they aggravated knee issues. Switched to the zura’s and love them. They’re lighter and more buoyant. Entire master’s team has gradually switched to them, as well. You can check them out at zura.com
The main reason IMO for using fins is that it adds to your propulsion while swimming; this enables you to practice better technique when it comes to things like dropped elbows, catchup, etc as the extra propulsion means your upper body has to apply less strength to your stroke which is what causes technique to fall apart (assuming you do have “good” technique)
I prefer zoomers (or chopped long fins) simply because they add just enough propulsion, and because they are small they do not significantly slow your kick down. In addition to that you can use them to strengthen your legs by kicking with them and maintaining a high kick rate.