Pool training supports open water swimming — but it needs to be engaging.
This is not a list of everything you could use in the pool. It’s a short collection of tools I return to because they help me feel more connected, more aware, and more comfortable when I eventually swim outside. They help me with technique in areas I need improvement and reinforce positive habits.
If a tool adds tension, distraction, or turns a swim into a checklist, I leave it out.
How I Think About Pool Tools
Tools don’t replicate open water; I use them to support a few key areas of my stroke that matter outside:
– body position
– feel for the water
– rhythm and balance
– strength
Most of my pool swims include at least one tool depending on the point in the season.
The Tools I Actually Use
Pull Buoy - Arena Pull Kick II
Best for: body position, relaxed endurance, reducing leg fatigue.
A pull buoy is the most basic pool tool — and the one I use most consistently.
It helps me find a balanced body position without fighting sinking legs, which makes it easier to focus on breathing and stroke rhythm. I’m not using it to avoid kicking. I’m using it to remove noise.
I like the Arena Pull Kick II because it’s simple, stable, and comfortable without forcing my legs unnaturally high.
This is the tool I reach for when I want a calm, steady swim that still feels productive.
Hand Paddles - FINIS Agility Paddles
Best for: clean hand entry, alignment, accountability.
These paddles only work if your hand enters the water correctly. There are no straps to hold them in place.
That makes them a useful accountability tool for short, focused sets. If your timing or alignment slips, the paddle slips too.
I use these sparingly — not for strength, but for awareness.
They reward quiet, controlled swimming.
Finger Paddles - Arena Elite Finger Paddle
Best for: feel for the water, awareness at the front of the stroke.
Finger paddles are one of my favorite technique tools — precisely because they’re subtle.
They add just enough surface area to increase feedback without loading the shoulders or changing the stroke dramatically. If something feels off, you notice immediately.
I prefer finger paddles over full paddles because they encourage precision rather than power.
If you’re new to paddles, this is where I’d start.
Snorkel - FINIS Swimmer’s Snorkel
Best for: removing breathing as a variable, staying present in the stroke.
A snorkel can be incredibly useful — or incredibly distracting — depending on how it’s used.
I don’t use it to avoid learning how to breathe. I use it to temporarily remove breathing so I can focus on balance, body line, and timing.
This is especially helpful during technique-focused swims or on days when I’m tired and want to stay relaxed rather than chase rhythm.
I keep snorkel sets short and intentional. It’s a tool, not a crutch.
Ankle Band - Arena Ankle Band Pro
Best for: advanced balance work, core connection.
This is the most advanced tool on this list — and the one I use least often.
An ankle band removes the kick entirely and exposes imbalances quickly. It demands stability through the core and upper body.
I’ve struggled tying improvised bands in the past, which is why I prefer a purpose-built option when I do use one.
This isn’t a beginner tool, and it isn’t necessary for most swims. When I use it, it’s briefly and intentionally.
Tools I’ve Chosen Not to Use
Over the years, I’ve tried tools designed to force specific mechanics — including forearm fulcrums and similar devices.
In theory, they’re meant to teach early vertical forearm or “correct” catch position. In practice, I’ve found they often create tension, pull attention away from rhythm, and turn swimming into a series of corrections rather than a continuous movement.
That doesn’t mean they never work for anyone. They simply haven’t worked for me — or for many swimmers I know — and they don’t align with how I want swimming to feel.
If a tool makes movement more complicated instead of more intuitive, I leave it out.
A Note on Fins
Fins are actually a key training tool for me, and I use them in some form during almost every pool session.
They support body position, reduce strain when I’m tired, and allow me to focus on rhythm and timing without fighting the water.
That said, I’m still actively experimenting with different fin styles — lengths, stiffness, and shapes — to understand which ones best support my goals without changing the stroke in ways I don’t want.
Until I’m confident recommending a specific type, I’m intentionally leaving fins out of this guide.
When I do include them, it will be with the same restraint as everything else here.
Final Thoughts
Pool tools should support the swim — not dominate it.
The goal isn’t to collect equipment or optimize every session. It’s to create swims that feel calm, attentive, and repeatable, so when you return to open water, your body remembers how to move.
Most days, the most effective tool is still just the water.
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