While Zoomers may have earned their reputation as the first of their kind (simple, duck-feet-like flippers that seem to have been chopped off at the toes), Hydrofinz would be the flashier, updated version of a tried-and-true classic. Their V-channel-edge design, the durability, and of course the multitude of colors available make Hydrofinz the "Boxster" to the Zoomers' "Ford Model T."
Interestingly, I found that technology didn't necessarily improve upon an already-effective invention, but rather complemented it to provide additional, added benefits.
I would recommend owning a pair of both Hydrofinz and Zoomers (Hydrofinz are a bit pricier than Zoomers at $39.95, but owning both pairs will still cost less than a single pair of good running shoes). Using the Hydrofinz would be likened to an aquatic weight-workout, focusing on strength and endurance, while the Zoomers would be used for sprinting, or the cardio-intensive segment of a workout.
Hydrofinz should also be used as an early- and mid-season training tool to build leg strength, encourage proper form, and build aerobic capacity. Zoomers are best utilized in the weeks during a pre-race taper, when fast swimming with an added boost is necessary for sprint conditioning.
Using Fins Based on Ability
Regardless of your swimming ability, I can not recommend strongly enough the importance of incorporating fins into your swim workout.
As a beginner, you will find that they help you swim longer distances and facilitate learning proper form. Of course, be careful not to rely on them too heavily (like training wheels on a child's bike, they are to be used and then put aside once confidence and proficiency are gained).
If you're a moderate swimmer, fins will provide you with a more effective lower-body workout and long-range cardiovascular benefits. Used during kick sets or challenging intervals, they can really work your legs while enabling you to complete a set without cutting your yardage. They might just propel you to succeed at a drill that you otherwise would not be able to make. Because your legs contain the body's largest muscles, using fins at an elevated heart rate gives you a great cardiovascular workout that can increase aerobic capacity over time (contrary to popular opinion, using fins is not cheating if you use them wisely and challenge yourself).
Elite swimmers and triathletes can also benefit from fins when they are used in key parts of a training session. As mentioned above, Zoomers are great for fast, sprint-oriented drills. Hydrofinz are to be used for strength training, specifically long endurance sets and kicking-only drills. Both types of fins encourage explosive, rapid acceleration of the stroke and should be used to mimic racing speed, pace, and finishes during specific parts of the workout.
Triathletes will find Zoomers to be an effective tool in loosening fatigued leg muscles (while giving them a light workout) while Hydrofinz will be helpful in building superior underwater leg strength. Most importantly, when using training fins during a workout, triathletes will be able to achieve that elusive elevated race position: When swimming at race pace, a swimmer's body rises to a higher level in the water and the stroke dynamics change.
By using fins, triathletes who otherwise would not be able to achieve this higher-body position will be able to see what it feels like. In short, fins provide that unmistakable high in the water feeling without requiring a swimmer to utilize large amounts of energy or possess elite levels of skill in order to do so.
As always, a well-rounded training regimen procures the best results, so don't be afraid to pack lots of gear on your way to the pool (even if it seems extravagant to own two pairs of flippers!).
Hydro Training Finz are available at most of the major swimming specialty stores, sporting-goods chains and select triathlon stores. They are also available at www.hydrosportz.com/