By Sapo Blanco from Concord, Ca on 11/18/2011

Put these on your hands and swim. Without proper body roll and  mechanics you won't go anywhere. These also protect your shoulders.  If you know how to use them, and are willing to push yourself -really push yourself, you will improve. If your mind is closed, or you're lazy -don't buy them.

By Jake S. from Lynchburg, VA on 10/4/2011

Feedback from our athletes has been tremendous.  Greatly helps improve early vertical forearm with hip driven and shoulder driven freestyle.

By Patrick C. from Sherman Oaks, CA on 8/22/2010

Poorly designed, poorly executed, just plain weird training tool. Is less effective than training with rocks in your hands...silly concept. For those dumb enough to try anything.

By Angela H. from High Point, NC on 6/24/2010

The first time I put these on I felt like I wasn't moving at all in the water.  Made me realize just how much I was using my hands for my pull instead of my arms and chest.  I use them 2x a week and I can tell my catch and pull is getting better.  They still feel very awkward, but they do work.

By Wahoos Head Coach from Wiesbaden Germany on 6/6/2010

These are great for feeling the difference of how much the hands play a part in freestyle swimming.  I've put them into use for our swim team and have seen tremendous gains.

By M from Newport News, VA on 5/28/2010

These should be called "anti-paddles."  When you first put them on it can feel a bit awkward but they do what they say they do, provided you actually know what a proper freestyle catch and pull is.  If you don't they will just frustrate you.  However, if you know what a good catch and pull is, or are at least willing to work at it, but don't know how to train your neurological pathways to consistently obtain it, these will help.  Definitely force me to a high elbow catch and EVF style stroke if i want to go anywhere with them on.  Also can bring out hidden instabilities in your core and timing and thus encourages good core rhythm also.  While fist drills can do the same, these put your hand in a more relaxed normal position so I find them more comfortable and beneficial for longer drill sets.    They add some weight to your hands too on the recovery which can actually be beneficial to developing a good leading elbow/relaxed forearm recovery if that is your recovery style.  

As far as negatives: One minor negative is that they have some positive buoyancy. Not a lot but enough that you notice.  Doesn't seem to be causing any problems or affecting my stroke negatively though. Also, I think someone who is not already an efficient swimmer with good feel for the water may be frustrated by these. Or if you swim with a pronounce s-style pull and no high elbow catch these are not for you (unless of course you want to change that). I give them 4 stars because of these negatives.

All in all I have found them to be a worth while training tool and I would buy them again.