Flippers

Ditto.  I just made this comment on a previous thread about a week ago. I used to think that people that used flippers were "cheating" at  the pool.  But, after I started attending a Masters class, the coach made the strong suggestion to buy them along with some specific drills to do with them.  Since then, I've improved considerably.  According to the coach, the flippers do two things.  First, it helps you do more drills that focus on technique without exhausting yourself with all the kicking.  Second, it helps teach your body how it should position itself with the faster speeds so that it can remember it when you aren't using them.

I just started swimming with our masters group (and first time with any swim training) 3 weeks ago.  Yesterday was the first time I used fins in the pool.  I could definitely feel how it helped put my body in a better position for swimming and I thought that was pretty neat!  However... I'm very, very hesitant to use them.  I just don't want to become reliant on them.  I took them off after a while and swimming seemed soooo hard.

Excellent points! If I can add a couple more they would be 1) that it is a great way of increasing your ankle flexibility which is essential for an efficient kick and 2) they will increase your leg strength. Don't fall into the misconception that triathletes don't kick during a race to "save their legs". Having a strong kick balances your stroke and allows you to swim more efficiently.

Oh yea, I almost forgot #3) All the cool kids have them.

Kick drills, and any drill where form would be compromised enough to make the drill useless (Such as fist drills for a newer or slower swimmer).

John 

I use flippers to do my drills. I'm learning to have better body position and also working on improved stroke mechanics. I want to practice good skill not poor skills.

I've been working hard at improving my technique this off season. I find now when I take them off I still feel the same body position as with them. It has been a huge benefit to learn how to swim correctly.

I wear flippers for only one reason now.  For kick sets, and kick sets ONLY.  If I didn't, I would be there ALL DAY.

However like others have said, they helped me with my form, helped during drills, and helping my ankle flexability.

I can actaully do a kick set without them, and move across the pool.  I couldn't have said that two years ago.  It would easily take me about 2-3 minutes to do one length, and I would be exhausted.