Importance of fin type for frog kickin'.

[O2BBubbleFree]

My wife and I just joined a fitness center because we both like swimming and need more regular exercise. I've been wanting to learn to frog kick, and am thinking that this might be a good way to take advantage of the pool during the cooler months. AFAIK holding my breath and frog kicking should be better leg exercise than surface swimming, too.

However, I don't really want to take my open-heel fins and thick neoprene booties to the pool, so am thinking about getting a cheap pair of full-foot snorkeling fins. I know that different fins require different technique, but I'm not sure to what extent. So my question is, if I buy some cheap snorkeling fins to learn to frog kick with, will I instill a technique (or bad habits) that would be hard to adapt to my regular dive fins?

I could try to match some of the properties of my regular fins (i.e. stiffness), but the plan is to get smaller fins, so they won't match much.

I would imagine that fit is more important with the fuller range of motion of a frog kick, right?

Are there any other considerations?

Thanks,

p.s. Yeah, I know, I'd be better off diving than in a pool. Happier, too.

p.p.s. not sure if this is this is the right forum. I believe my questions have more to do with technique than equipment, but feel free to move it if there's a more appropriate place.

 

[Walter]

Full foot fins will work, but if you really want to perfect your technique, practice with the fins you'll actually be using when you dive.

 

[pasley]

Yep, what he said. The technique will differ particularly between padle and split fin, or if they are hinged like some of the newer fins.

 

[jbd]

Yep---what Walter said. In addition, it would be best if you had someone, who is very accomplished with the frog kick, work with you. Helps prevent bad habits from developing.

 

[bcsean]

regardless, if you want to frog kick, get a solid bladed fin. The reason most people use jets and turtles... is because they have a short, stiff, wide blade. It has nothing to do with the foot pocket.

As for exercise, I doubt frogkick is the best workout. It actually requires very little effort for the amount of propulsion you get. On the surface flutter kick hard and you'll get a way better workout.

 

[MB]

Yup, practice with the fins you'll wear when you dive. But you will get a workout. Frog kicks use different muscles, and your first several workouts will show which muscles they are. But you'll also learn how to enjoy a glide after the kick.

Enjoy. This is a superior kick, and you can use several variations. Its not a huff & puff workout, but you'll know you've been doing something different.

 

[O2BBubbleFree]

regardless, if you want to frog kick, get a solid bladed fin. The reason most people use jets and turtles... is because they have a short, stiff, wide blade. It has nothing to do with the foot pocket.

I'm happy with the dive fins I have, and they fit the bill (USD Compros, circa 1994). The reason I want to get cheap full-footers (foot pocket) is so I don't have to take my booties. And I was planning on finding some with short, stiff, unsplit blades.

As for exercise, I doubt frogkick is the best workout. It actually requires very little effort for the amount of propulsion you get. On the surface flutter kick hard and you'll get a way better workout.

Yeah, that's why I want to learn it. I guess I should have been more specific. I currently freestyle to get my heart rate up, and alternate with side- or back-stroke for a resting stroke. Good upper-body workout, but not much for the legs. I plan to replace my current resting phase with u/w frogging for a bit of leg workout, while developing new skills.

Thanks, all.

 

[Walter]

Boots aren't heavy, take them to the pool.

 

[O2BBubbleFree]

Boots aren't heavy, take them to the pool.

I'm not concerned about the weight. After all, I'm going to the pool for exercise. I'm conserned with the chlorine, and the fact that without my wetsuit legs stretched over the boots, they inflate with every kick. Very annoying.

And, no, I'm not going to take my wetsuit to the heated pool so I can use the boots.

 

[Hoyden]

I'm not concerned about the weight. After all, I'm going to the pool for exercise. I'm conserned with the chlorine, and the fact that without my wetsuit legs stretched over the boots, they inflate with every kick. Very annoying.

And, no, I'm not going to take my wetsuit to the heated pool so I can use the boots.

I do the same thing that you are considering - I freestyle for 30 minutes and then do another half hour with fins. I'd love to use my jets, but it is a huge PITA to haul heavy jets and wetsuit boots to the pool every day so I use a cheapo pair of full foot fins (maybe Dacor or some similar brand that I found in my attic left over from a snorkle trip years ago). They work fine for practicing the frog kick - no where near as well as my jets, but fine for the pool.

Jackie