With Fins or Without? Comparing Swimming Workouts for Maximum Benefit

Swim fins aren’t just for snorkeling or scuba diving recreational swimmers can also reap major benefits from these handy tools. Whether you’re looking to improve technique, build strength, or add a new challenge to your workout, fins can be a valuable part of your swim training.

But are they always better than swimming without them? Not necessarily. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of swimming with fins and when you should skip them.

3 Benefits of Swimming With Fins

1. Improved Swimming Technique

While fins might seem like a cheat code in the water, they actually help refine your swimming form. According to Garret Seacat, CSCS, a triathlon coach, the extra power fins provide helps lift and keep your hips higher, improving your posture and alignment.

Fins also reinforce proper kicking technique, which makes transitioning to fin-free swimming smoother and more effective.

2. A Tougher Workout

If you’re swimming for fitness or weight loss, fins add resistance that ramps up the challenge. Moving your legs against the water with fins on requires more muscle activation and energy, which can help you burn more calories and build strength, according to Swim England Masters.

Translation? You’ll get a better cardiovascular and full-body workout in less time.

3. Better Ankle Flexibility

Ankle flexibility is essential for efficient swimming because your feet need to extend in a straight line with your shin. If you have stiff ankles, fins can help.

“Fins encourage proper ankle movement by adding resistance, which helps improve ankle flexibility over time,” Seacat says.

3 Cons of Swimming With Fins

1. Blisters

One of the biggest drawbacks of using fins? Blisters. When you’re first getting used to fins, the repetitive friction against your feet can cause painful sores that make swimming uncomfortable.

To prevent blisters, Seacat suggests easing into fin use gradually or wearing socks under your fins. Just make sure your fins still fit snugly.

2. Over-Reliance on Fins

Fins are a fantastic training tool, but it’s easy to become too dependent on them. Overusing fins can make it harder to swim efficiently without them, Seacat warns.

To strike a balance, incorporate both fin-assisted and fin-free drills into your swim sessions. That way, you’ll reap the benefits of fins without compromising your natural form and endurance.

3. The Cost Factor

Investing in swim fins isn’t cheap, and depending on your goals, you might need more than one pair. For example:

• Shorter fins are best for sprint workouts to build power and speed.

• Longer fins are ideal for endurance-focused training or open-water swimming.

And if your fins don’t fit perfectly, they might slip off mid-swim, creating an added frustration.

Which Is Better: Swimming With Fins or Without?

When it comes to getting the best swim workout, there’s no clear winner both methods have unique benefits.

Swimming with fins can help you:

• Improve your technique and kicking efficiency

• Build strength and endurance with added resistance

• Burn more calories in less time

• Enhance ankle flexibility

However, swimming without fins is essential for:

• Developing natural form and speed

• Building muscle memory and swimming efficiency

• Preparing for competition or real-world swimming scenarios

The Bottom Line

The best approach? A balance of both. Use swim fins to target your technique, strength, and flexibility but be sure to spend plenty of time swimming without them, too. By incorporating both into your workouts, you’ll become a stronger, more efficient swimmer overall.

Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more tips to enhance your workouts year-round.