Anyone ever use a monofin?

turbolapp

turbolapp

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Aug 10, 2007
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So swimming is supposed to be awesome for your back but I've never had great results. Then I saw some videos of people swimming with a monofin and it's clear that these people have to have some serious abdominal and lower back control...seems like it would be a perfect way to strengthen my core without the ever present concern of injury (due to the lack of strain and low impact of swimming)

Anyone ever try it? Seems like it might be very awkward at first.
 


I did a year of swimming. My shoulders got broader and my back and abs were in great shape. I would suggest it as it's one of the MOST complete exercises you can do, yet you really don't realize how much you are exerting yourself. I was taking classes as a local club so they had more of a competitive environment. Usually we'd swim 1500 meters in an hour.

You need to mix it up, use paddles (these really build your back), board, etc. Just stick it out as it will take up to 6 months to see results. You need to combine this with a good diet. If you feel like jello after your swim you did it right :)

Edit: I never used a monofin. Only the chick that was an olympic swimmer for Costa Rica used one of those, it looked exhausting just watching her.
 
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nickCR said:
Edit: I never used a monofin. Only the chick that was an olympic swimmer for Costa Rica used one of those, it looked exhausting just watching her.
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I bet. Although supposedly it's more exhausting if you're surface swimming. I'm thinking more underwater monofinning like:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtqjCBdMg6A&feature=endscreen&NR=1]monofin technique 2 - YouTube[/ame]
 
Monofin is for wimps if u really want a good workout you need to go full mermaid
 
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I'm a competitive butterflyer. Used to use it in high school, that thing will no doubt put your trunk and calves in all sorts of soreness. You will also never move so fast in the water in your life.

That said, I don't like using these toys. If I can't race with it, I don't swim with it.

In terms of exercise, get a trainer and learn to do proper deadlifts, squats, and back extensions. When I've been deadlifting heavy, my butterfly kick snaps like a mofo.

Also learn proper technique in the pool and you'll actually get an incredible workout out of it instead of decimating your shoulders. The sport is purely technical. No technique = injury and bad workout.
 
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Berto said:
I'm a competitive butterflyer. Used to use it in high school, that thing will no doubt put your trunk and calves in all sorts of soreness. You will also never move so fast in the water in your life.
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I was on swim team for a few years as a kid (got a few blue ribbons for the freestyle) but didn't hang around long enough to learn the butterfly. I regret it, that shit is awesome. That and for some reason never learned how to do that underwater turn thingy, which really bothers me that I can't do.

Berto said:
That said, I don't like using these toys. If I can't race with it, I don't swim with it.
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Why not? Is it a pride thing? I would imagine a good butterfly swimmer certainly doesn't need these anyways.

Berto said:
Also learn proper technique in the pool and you'll actually get an incredible workout out of it instead of decimating your shoulders.
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Since I would be using the monofin instead of attempting a terrible butterfly, it looks like I wouldn't be using my shoulders at all really.

Berto said:
The sport is purely technical. No technique = injury and bad workout.
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Totally. Which is my main concern. I certainly wouldn't want to make things worse which is why I was hoping someone could shed some light on this practice. To be clear my only motivation here is core strengthening, as well as working the extensor muscles and gluteus medius area due to a weak injury prone lower back. (In other words, not to lose weight and not to get a good work out, of course if any of that happens, it's just icing)
 
turbolapp said:
I was on swim team for a few years as a kid (got a few blue ribbons for the freestyle) but didn't hang around long enough to learn the butterfly. I regret it, that shit is awesome. That and for some reason never learned how to do that underwater turn thingy, which really bothers me that I can't do.
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My overall advice here is if you want to swim, get a swim coach, even if for a little bit... worth $100 or so in better workouts. Flip turns will completely morph your workouts and your lungs will get so much stronger from having less cheating time. Great for core too. There's good Youtube videos to get you mentally prepared.

Why not? Is it a pride thing? I would imagine a good butterfly swimmer certainly doesn't need these anyways.
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Kind of... also an "old school" thing. My favorite thing nowadays are the open water ocean races. Why get used to swimming with fins if I can't race with them? I'd rather develop muscles that I'll be using when it's crunch time.

Since I would be using the monofin instead of attempting a terrible butterfly, it looks like I wouldn't be using my shoulders at all really.
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True. Basically if doing butterfly, you just need to "sling" your arms up into the entry position. Keep em low to the water too.


Totally. Which is my main concern. I certainly wouldn't want to make things worse which is why I was hoping someone could shed some light on this practice. To be clear my only motivation here is core strengthening, as well as working the extensor muscles and gluteus medius area due to a weak injury prone lower back. (In other words, not to lose weight and not to get a good work out, of course if any of that happens, it's just icing)
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I see. Then doing underwater dolphin kicking with this thing might actually be exactly what you want, and it'll be fun. Better than land-based exercises? One would argue each way...

If you want to swim for exercise, then I wouldn't get this. But in your case, worth checking out.

Note that in a crowded pool that monofin would be annoying as hell and would be asking for a serious verbal beatdown from me if it touched me. The one I used was hard plastic and could cut skin.
 
I'm definitely in favor of keeping Suddenly_Ass and Suddenly_Tits around :)

Anyway all that Berto said is great advice +1.
 
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