Triathlon - What's the benefit of using Zip Fins?

What are the benefits of using Zip Fins for swim training. I'm new to swimming and picked some up for doing TI drills, but I was wondering what the purpose of them is?

I'm also using the paddles to do upper body drills. Can anyone weigh in on the pro's/con's of each?

I think the benefit of using Zip fins is that it teaches the swimmer how to keep their body level rather than letting their legs sink down. An additional benefit is that it allows the swimmer to feel how a faster arm turnover feels, as the legs are providing more propulsion than finless feet would.

The downside is that they can be a crutch - an artificial enhancement that makes the swimmer feel he is swimming much faster than he is really capable of.

Paddles build arm strength and may allow the swimmer to develop a better "feel" for the water.

The downside of paddles is that if overused, they may cause injury to the shoulder. Also, if not used correctly, they may actually train a swimmer to swim less efficiently without paddles. This happens when the swimmer is fatigued - they may drop their elbow and change the direction of their hand in order to slide their arm through the water easier.

Thanks Sprocket Man. What you said makes sense. I'm worried that when I take the fins off, I'll feel really slow, but hopefully, it will allow me to get the feel of the proper position in the water and to refine better technique. What's the ratio of Fin to non-Fin time in the pool for a beginner?

Just my advice - take it or leave it..

I have fins & a pull bouy & kick board and I do not use any of them now..

I think may be useful for advance swimmers for the odd drill but if yr learning I would not use fins or paddles..

You shud try swimming with fists closed and then see how that feels when you open your hand - you get the feel of the water SO MUCH, compare this with the feel of using your hands after paddles, your hands feel tiny & you cannot feel the water - the opposite of what a begginer needs.

Finns make you faster and help with balance, but as soon you take them away yr speed and balance is gone and you have learnt nothing..

I think those aids work for those who are already strong swimmers.. hwvr, the fastest swimmers is a our club never use any of that stuff...

Anyone I know who was weak at swimming comming to Tri and hv advanced swear by TI.

Just my advice - take it or leave it..

I have fins & a pull bouy & kick board and I do not use any of them now..

I think may be useful for advance swimmers for the odd drill but if yr learning I would not use fins or paddles..

You shud try swimming with fists closed and then see how that feels when you open your hand - you get the feel of the water SO MUCH, compare this with the feel of using your hands after paddles, your hands feel tiny & you cannot feel the water - the opposite of what a begginer needs.

Finns make you faster and help with balance, but as soon you take them away yr speed and balance is gone and you have learnt nothing..

I think those aids work for those who are already strong swimmers.. hwvr, the fastest swimmers is a our club never use any of that stuff...

Anyone I know who was weak at swimming comming to Tri and hv advanced swear by TI.

I swam in swim teams since I was 7 (soon to be 19). We use these devices for specific muscle workouts.