Speedo I.M. Tech Paddles

Update: This complaint about Speedo paddles does not apply to the I.M. Tech Paddles previously reviewed below - yet. I have two other pair of Speedo paddles I purchased in both the large and small configuration, which bracket the Tech Paddles for resistance. The wrist retainers on both pairs broke after a few months of intermittent use. Naturally at the worst time when putting them on in preparation for swimming. I expect the Tech Paddles will fare no better. I bought surgical tubing at Home Depot and fixed them, the cost for which represented a high percentage of the purchase price for the paddles. Speedo should be able to either furnish a better quality of tubing or else recognize the problem and furnish replacement tubing with the original product. I am 67 and swim laps for 1.5 miles a day, 3-5 days a week, for exercise and cardio. I started swimming laps when we began wintering on the Texas coast in a town that lacked a good gym but had a heated 25-yard pool. I initially bought the large and small Speedo round paddles that I used for two years. They worked very well, especially the large that gave tremendous resistance, but did not work well on anything other than the freestyle crawl. When I saw an ad for the Tech Paddles I immediately ordered the large one. They offer very good intermediate resistance and are easier to swim with than either of the rounded paddles. While I still freestyle my mile and a half, I have experimented with the other strokes and find that the Tech Paddles do well for all strokes as advertised. Highly recommended.

The product was as described on the site. The feel and comfort is great. I thought the combination material would give a strange feeling, but it actually feels very natural. The shape does seem to promote better hand positioning, compared to conventional paddles I have used in the past. I have also found that the volume of caught water is just right, so I have not found myself trying to cheat the catch, as I have done with some other more high volume paddles. *Updated* These paddles continue to work well for most of my drills, but as I have been incorporating more butterfly into my workout, I am finding that there is a distinct tendency for the paddles to twist. I would think this is because of the single inline attachment to my fingers, which allows the paddle to rotate around my wrist and middle finger.

At mid-life, I started swimming about 2 years ago. I always had trouble with stoke technique and endurance. After having these swim paddles for a month, my endurance, arm rotation, technique and speed are vastly improved. These are better than imagined and I love having them. They are sized correctly based on my hand measurement and stay firmly on my hands with a slight tug of the red band. During my workouts, I alternate every so often having the paddles on and off. I feel like I’m gliding through the water during the “off” laps. Highly recommended for those who want to try something different but quite effective for their swim workouts.

These are great paddles for swimming and really develop strength. The only thing is the blue stretchy stuff used for the straps breaks down in the sun and chlorine and breaks rather quickly. Someone else suggested surgical tubing but I've found a good replacement with airline tubing used for aquariums and the like. (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000255NYQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) If you use it and have trouble feeding it thru, try a hairdryer or heat gun to soften the end a bit. It's more rigid than the original blue stuff but lasts forever.

I have been using the Speedo paddles for about 4 weeks. They are made well and easy to use. The bands are a little tight and have to be stretched. The paddles have improved and strengthened my stroke. I wasn't lifting my left arm high enough out of the water and the paddles made me change my stroke. I had to increase the laps with the paddles very slowly, as my muscles aren't that strong. I like the Speedo paddles and would recommend them to anyone interested in swim paddles.

I bought swim paddles because they would provide a great arm workout for my swim practices. These paddles, if ordered correctly to size, will fit just right! Knowing what I know now, I'd even opt for a size larger so I could "grab" more water with each stroke. These paddles have plastic tube/strings to secure to your hand, and they do a good job of staying in place and not loosening up during swimming. Pay careful attention to them, and handle those plastic tubes with care (they may easily break if handled roughly). Swim paddles are seriously worth the investment no matter your dedication in swimming; they offer additional arm conditioning, and gaining extra strength/muscle never hurt anybody!

Adds drag when swimming laps. I was able to swim really fast and do cardio work. I forgot they were on my hands as they fit perfectly. I highly recommend these.

Fantastic product as expected

Las paletas de natación son de gran calidad y cumplen su objetivo.

Having the paddles fit so well makes the resistence small compared to the strength of the pull. In other words I have great strength from my arms with the paddles using little energy. Using these paddles makes me glide through the water feeling like a pro.

Use them 4 times a week with no issues! Great product!

I have been using paddles my whole life and these are by far the best paddles I have used. They do not inhibit my stroke, do not catch the water between my hand and the paddle and they are lightweight and sturdy. These are perfect for building strength for rec swimming. If I was training harder for more strength I would probably get ones without so many holes to add more resistance.

Fit well