Using swim paddles can help you do a ton of different things in the water. Here is a look at the six benefits of hand paddles for swimming.

Hand paddles, also known as swim paddles, are a popular way for swimmers to increase power and upper body endurance in the water.

Here are some more benefits of training with hand paddles in the water.

1. Encourages a high elbow catch.

The added surface area of a swim paddle exaggerates the movement of the pull. You can see firsthand how the paddle directs the water down or backward when instigating the pull.

One of the most common mistakes swimmers make when doing freestyle is keeping the arm straight for too long as the pulling motion begins. Paddles reinforce an early vertical forearm.

2. Power development.

Okay, back to the whole power thing. Paddles are actually a super versatile way to increase power in the water.

This is peak power development (provided you are doing it for short durations and allowing plenty of rest for maximal effort and power).

3. Teaches efficiency.

Like training fins, swim paddles increase your overall speed in the water. It’s when we are going faster than what’s typical that we begin to really understand the importance of good body position and an efficient stroke.

Paddles show you how your body needs to be positioned in order to swim at the next level of speed. Plenty of research has shown that swim paddles increase distance per stroke and speed, making them an excellent tool for unleashing faster swimming.

4. Mixes things up.

Swimming can be boring. I can admit that. Even though going to the pool is usually the best part of my day, there are moments when my stroke feels like hot garbage or I am simply bored with the workout.

Paddles are a new stimulus that you can inject into the session to mix things up and keep you mentally fresh and engaged.

5. Better hand entry.

One of the fun features of swim paddles—the FINIS Agility Paddles immediately come to mind—is that they really reinforce a clean hand entry.

Especially if you use just the middle finger strap and forego the wrist strap.

The immediate feedback of a hand entry that is not clean—the paddle gets torn sideways or even ripped clean off—is a helpful if not humility-inducing note to clean up the hand entry so that it’s smooth.

6. Different paddles for different goals.

Although paddles look simple in function—help me go faster and get stronger!—there are some specialty paddles on the market that can help you address specific goals in the water.

Finger-tip paddles are one example. Designed to really help you work the top of your pull, finger-tip paddles are an excellent tool to sharpen your feel for the water.