Start Smart Contoured Swim Training Hand Paddles

These swim tools are fantastic, without a doubt the best hand paddle trainers I have ever used. I do feel somewhat qualified to offer a comparative review, as I have used at least five different types of paddles throughout my years. I recently joined a masters swim program and swim up to three times a week in an Olympic size pool. A year ago I had never even had a swim lesson. Our group is split into many lanes and I have worked my way up to the second lane, leaving the beginners behind. Other paddles are not contoured to the hand, and are broader, simpler and thus provide a greater surface area to the water. In theory this would increase resistance and should help for increased thrust and propulsion. The downside of this is that the resistance and effort must also increase proportionally. With such a large flat paddle, I tire out very quickly and cannot use them for an extended period. The major advantage of a contoured paddle is that it is comparable in size, shape and form to the hand. The molded grooves permit the hand to fall into the best natural position for swimming - fingers spread apart not to far, but not to close, the "Goldilocks zone". There is an extremely comfortable center strap for the middle finger. Adequate contact is maintained by achieving proper form. If the hand goes into the water sideways or improperly, contact may be lost. This is actually ideal for a learner such as myself who is struggling to find the right hand position. What I find even better is that at our last one hour long swim meet, I was able to wear the paddles for the entire period. Although I did feel that I had to make more of an effort as compared to not using the tool, I am quite confident that the paddles helped me to naturally assume the optimal swim form during all phases of my stroke, even including streamline off the wall. Usually during the longer length intervals, I tire and I may be unable to keep the pace. At the last swim session though not only could I keep up with everyone else, but I found myself squarely in the center of the pack. Even then, If I applied myself with the contoured paddles, I found myself speeding up at times to the person in front of me. The paddles have enabled me to better the pull phase of my stroke and I can actually sense my body gliding forward after he catch and during the pull. As I extend one arm forward, I am able to attain an extended glide, without then paddles interfering or causing too much resistance. Another type of paddle I have used in the past was a neoprene type glove by speedo. While it is comfortable and form fitting, it is soft and does not provide as much of a surface area or a stiff flat panel to effect the best pressure. The finis paddle can at times be uncomfortable and as it is not as contoured for each finger as this one it does not really force the fingers into the best position. As the picture indicates, the contoured swim trainer has many small perforations in it which helps prevent the effort from being overpowering or exceedingly challenging. This may explain why I could go a full hour with it. One of my companions during the morning swim asked me about the paddles I had on and I let her borrow them for a lap. She too was extremely enthusiastic about how they felt and would like to purchase a pair. In short, these paddles are phenomenal, perhaps even a game changer for me. Hey have enabled me to regain my determination, and will allow me to concentrate on improving my stroke and form. They give just the right amount of resistance for an extended and efficient workout. I recommend them most highly.

I was a long-time user of the neoprene hand paddles that are more glove-like. Eventually, over time, the velcro wristband stretched out so far that it no longer affixed to the velcro.So I ordered a set of ergonomic plastic Speedo paddles --- the kind that affix to your hand with rubber tubing. Worked well enough for long slow distance swims, but on sprints more often than not, they'd slip on a recovery stroke, stopping me in the water. Part of the problem was that the Speedo paddles were too big, or maybe it was the way they were affixed to your hand.These Start Smart paddles are the bomb!!!! LOVE them. The only time they slip is when I make a stroke error. They fit much better than the Speedo paddles even though they don't seem to be significantly smaller in size. It's likely because they have superior ties that affix the paddle to your hand. Keeps your paddle snuggly on your hand.(That said, I'm not an elite swimmer. I am OK swimmer who's doing laps almost daily, about a mile at a time. I usually swim with paddles and fins because the extra resistance increases my muscle tone over swimming bare-handed and bare-footed, and I travel faster, enabling me to get my heartrate up higher.) If you're a competitive swimmer looking to use these as a tool to help you improve your stroke, you may want to check out how other competitive swimmers rate them.

I keep looking for something better as I do a lot of swimming, nearly every day. Over the last 18 months or so I have tried four different brands/styles. While I like all of them, I finally found the ones I will be using every day and will be buying my second and third backups. I won't mention the other brands or styles because I think they would be censored anyway, but I now use the Start Smart Hand Paddles for every style of stroke I swim. Some of the others worked Ok for certain strokes but not others. These are just the right size in my hands and allow me to do everything without any issues whatsoever. I have only used them on three separate swims, so long term reliability cannot yet be determined. But, so far, so good. All of the other types of paddles connect to your hands in the same way and nearly always cut off blood supply to the middle finger after 30 minutes or more of swimming. It could get to be very uncomfortable. Not so with these paddles. The ad pictures describe the differences perfectly. I find the others to be painful. Not so with the Start Smart Hand Paddles.

When the paddles shipped i got an email from Derk with a small helpful e-book on how to improve your swim strokeI just received my swim paddles yesterday, and i have used them once.To be prudent i used the paddles for about 1/3 of my laps. I know they are working well because my arms are sore today (in a good way).I got an another email from Derk inquiringabout the paddles last night. I was able to tell him where one arm was feeling dragged by the left paddle. I got a return email back quickly. Derk diagnosed the issue and helped me with a plan for correction.Buying on-line is impersonal. This experience was just like a face to face encounter in the store with help from a professional. It is like having a coach in your inbox!

These fit tight. The middle finger ring is a tad small. I have thin fingers so fits me fine however anyone with wider ones will have trouble. The outside straps are also tight enough that you can't slip under them without assistance. Maybe they will stretch with use. Once on, they work great. I took one star off because of how difficult they are to put on. I will keep them but would have preferred an easier fit.