Speedo I.M. Tech Swim Training Paddles

4.0 out of 5 stars

By M. Rosen - Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2019

Works great - straps break too soon

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By Warren Wm Gollop - Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2012

Very nice paddles

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By Katrina D. - Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2015

Swim paddles are worth the investment!

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!

4.0 out of 5 stars

By Freestyle Barracuda - Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2020

They work well and probably the best paddles I've used, too.

I don't find the rubber stripping on my wrist to be that comfy though and I wish they used a different material for that part. The paddles themselves are fine. I would suggest putting in some built-in slots for the thumb or middle finger or pinky fingers maybe and avoid that rubber tubing nonsense altogether. They would be perfect then, I think.

2.0 out of 5 stars

By Emkin - Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2019

Try before you buy, if possible.

I found this shape hard to wear and use. I’d previously borrowed other hand paddles which I liked better. I bought these based upon reviews and description, but they are difficult to fit to my hand and awkward to use. If I get paddles again I will go to a swim store and try them on even if it means a higher price.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By ATLKrissy - Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2013

Great size for chickies

These paddles were just right for me. I am a very novice swimmer teaching myself through repetition. Female 5'5" 180 lbs And these were just what I needed to get the extra upper body. They are just the right size for my palm. Light Durable (so far) And it really changed my upper body quickly. Shoulders, back, breasts... Upper arm... WOW... These allow you to better learn freestyle and breathing. The extra speed allows you to make a bigger "wave swell"??? I have no idea how to say it... And take your breathes calmly. Very pleaed. My training friend (shorter than I) bought a different style and wasn't as pleased. These can easily become too big for women...

5.0 out of 5 stars

By Mike M - Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2013

Great for lap swimming - Updated 5-17-2013

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By John R. Ranyard, M.A. - Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2018

Arthritis

It didn't occur to me that these are actually strength training tools. I got them because of arthritis in my hands. My fingers are weak and hurt quite a lot when I pull my stroke and the water bends my fingers back. The paddles let all my fingers work together as they are supported by the paddle. So the fat old man can keep swimming!