How to improve your swimming technique with the right equipment? A guide to choosing swimming equipment
Once you've started swimming, the next step is to find the equipment that will help you improve, train more effectively, and enjoy swimming more. This guide explains the benefits of different equipment and how to use them in your training.
Training equipment for swimming
1. Flippers – speed and learning technique
Fins aren't just for speed – they're a great learning tool:
- Kicking technique: provides extra kick, giving you a feel for the correct ankle position.
- Endurance: leg muscles strengthen faster → kicks become more economical.
- Progress faster: you can swim longer sets with less effort while focusing on your strokes or position.
Tip: Please note that short training fins are especially for developing strength and technique, and long ones are more for “snorkeling”.
2. Hand paddles – power and feel in the water
Hand paddles increase resistance in the water, which means:
- The upper body is strengthened: especially the back, chest and shoulders receive more load.
- Better “water feel”: you will feel the movement of the water in your hand more clearly, you will learn to keep your strokes tight.
- Technique corrector: if your technique fails, the ball “runs away” → you get immediate feedback on your own move.
Tip: Start with small dumbbells, otherwise you risk straining your shoulders. You can also combine hand dumbbells with a pull-up bar, which will allow you to train only your upper body and not have your legs dragging in the water.
3. Pull buoy, snorkel and swim board – help with body position control
The pull buoy is placed between your legs as a float. You can only focus on the handstrokes while your legs stay on the surface without kicking. This allows you to focus on proper alignment in the water, which will improve your swimming position.
A swim board provides support for your arms, allowing your legs to do all the work: Practicing kicks on a swim board strengthens your legs and makes your kicks more efficient, and you get a better feel for moving on the surface of the water.
A center snorkel (not for diving, but for training) is an underrated tool: A snorkel balances swimming because you don't have to turn your head all the time. An effective aid for practicing position and arm stroke, breathing does not interrupt the arm stroke → you can focus only on position and rhythm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Fins strengthen the muscles in your ankles and feet and provide an extra kick, which gives you a sense of proper ankle extension and kicking technique. This feeling teaches you to be streamlined, especially in the water — your kicks become more efficient, allowing you to focus on technique from the start, not just on progress, with your handstroke.
The hand paddles add resistance and force swimmers to activate the right muscle groups — such as the back, chest, and shoulders. This allows for a tighter grip during the stroke, and the paddle tells you straight away if there is a gap in technique: the stroke will “run away,” so you can immediately see where you need to improve.
Using a snorkel eliminates the need to constantly think about the rhythm and direction of your breathing. When your breathing doesn't interrupt your swimming, you can focus on the rhythm of your arm stroke, the vertical alignment of your body, and your glide. This way, your technique moves forward automatically.
The ankle strap prevents kicks and forces the core and upper body to work – great for honing body control in the water.
Pull buoy combined with lats is a combination for strength and technique training - especially effective for developing hand pull.
Also remember other accessories:
Earplugs and nose clip: prevent infections and make swimming more comfortable if water easily gets stuck in your ears. The nose clip reduces water from entering your nose, making it easier, especially for backstroke and beginner training.
Swim bag: practical for transporting equipment and keeping it dry.
Where can you find swimming lessons for adults and technique courses in your area?
If you want to improve your swimming skills or start swimming as an adult, we definitely recommend a swimming course. There are several excellent options in Finland. Here is a list of some of our recommended places where you can find a suitable course.
FitPit (Helsinki, Espoo, Kirkkonummi)
Offers swimming courses for adults at various levels, private lessons and small group courses.
Courses and pricesPositive immersion - Heidi Savioja (online and courses)
Heidi Savioja is an experienced swimming coach and digital entrepreneur from Vaasa, offering swimming coaching for adults both live and online.
Courses and pricesK2O (Turku and camps)
K2O offers swimming coaching for adults with professional passion. The family atmosphere combines high-quality coaching and a supportive community. During the summer season, at the Kupittaa and Samppalinna outdoor swimming pools. There are groups of different levels available, from beginners to more experienced swimmers.
Courses and pricesSwimming Tampere - Swim (Tampere)
Offers adult technique courses, such as freestyle and breaststroke courses. The courses last 5 or 15 times and are held almost every evening. Payment methods include sports vouchers such as Smartum, Epassi and Edenred.
Courses and pricesSantasport Lapland Sports Institute (Rovaniemi)
Offers swimming courses for adults, such as a beginner course and a freestyle swimming technique course. The courses include 4x45/60 minute lessons and are held on weekends. Accepted payment methods include Smartum and Epassi.
Courses and pricesLocal swimming clubs
Many local swimming clubs also organize technique courses for adults; a list of swimming clubs can be found on the website of the Finnish Swimming Association.
Find the nearest swimming clubLocal swimming pools and the city
Local swimming pools and cities also organize swimming lessons. Check with your nearest swimming pools and city sports departments for more detailed information about group activities and meeting times.
Finnish Lifesaving Association
On the Suh.fi website you will find a lot of useful material and tips related to swimming skills, as well as various training courses in the event calendar.
Read moreTip: Many of these courses accept sports benefits, such as Smartum, Epassi, and Edenred. Be sure to check the payment options and schedules for each course before registering.
Want more tips? Check out our YouTube channel.
Watch practical swimming technique lessons and equipment guides on our channel and take your training to the next level.
All training equipment
Aquaction logo swim cap, 5 different colors
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Aquaction swimming cap, 4 different colors
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Aqua Kickboard 2.0 swim board with armholes, mint
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Aqua Kickboard 2.0 swim board with arm holes, purple
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