Pull Buoys, Kickboards and Fins: What Each One Does
If you've just joined a club or picked up a training plan, these three pieces of kit will feature in almost every session. Knowing what each one is for means you'll get far more out of the sets that use them. This post sits within our swim training equipment guide.
What does each training aid develop?
Pull Buoy vs Kickboard vs Fins
| Aid | What it develops | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Pull buoy | Arm pull, catch, upper body strength, breathing rhythm | Letting hips sway side to side instead of rotating from the core |
| Kickboard | Leg strength, kick technique, endurance | Kicking from the knee instead of the hip |
| Fins | Kick strength, ankle flexibility, body position, speed | Wearing them so often your own kick never develops |
What does a pull buoy do?
A pull buoy is a figure-of-eight float that sits between your upper thighs. It lifts your legs and stops you kicking, so your arms do all the work. That makes it ideal for working on your catch and pull, building upper body strength and practising breathing patterns without your legs sinking.
Squeeze it lightly between your thighs, not your knees, and keep your core engaged so your hips don't sway. Our pull buoys come in junior and adult sizes. For sessions, read how to use a pull buoy.
What does a kickboard do?
A kickboard supports your upper body so you can isolate your legs. Kick sets build leg strength and endurance and show up any weaknesses in your kick. Hold the far end with straight arms for a flatter, more realistic body position, and kick from the hips with relaxed ankles.
Our kickboards come in sizes for children and adults; smaller boards suit younger swimmers' hands and arm length.
What do swim fins do?
Fins increase the surface area of your feet, so every kick moves more water. They build kick strength, improve ankle flexibility and let you swim faster than usual, which helps you feel a high, streamlined body position. Short-blade fins keep your kick rate close to normal swimming and are the club standard; long-blade fins give more propulsion and suit drills and beginners.
The mistake: Using fins for every length because swimming feels faster and easier with them.
What happens: Your natural kick stays weak, and when the fins come off at a gala, your body position and speed drop noticeably.
How to avoid it: Use fins for specific drills and kick sets, then swim without them. Our swim fins are sized by shoe size; a snug fit avoids blisters.
How do you use all three in one session?
- Warm up: 200m easy swim.
- Kick: 4 x 50m with a kickboard, 20 seconds rest.
- Pull: 4 x 50m with a pull buoy, long smooth strokes.
- Drill: 4 x 50m with fins, focusing on body position.
- Swim: 4 x 50m without any kit, holding the same feel.
- Cool down: 200m easy.
The last swim set matters most. It's where you put the work back together. If you want to add more kit later, our guide to hand paddles explains when they're worth adding.
WHO NEEDS WHAT FIRST?
WHO NEEDS WHAT FIRST?New club swimmer
New club swimmerKickboard and pull buoy first. Fins when the coach asks.
Fitness swimmer
Fitness swimmerA pull buoy adds variety and upper body work. Add a kickboard for leg sets.
Junior swimmer
Junior swimmerJunior-sized kit so it's easy to control. Check the club kit list.
If your child is joining a club, our guide to your child's first swimming club covers the full kit list. Our swimwear experts are happy to help with sizes.
Why Buy Training Aids From Allens Swimwear
We've kitted out club squads with training aids for 50 years.
Written by a swimwear specialist at Allens Swimwear, 50 years of expert fitting. Updated 5 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pull buoy used for in swimming?
A pull buoy floats your legs so you can focus on your arms. It's used to build pull strength, work on your catch and practise breathing without your legs sinking.
Is a kickboard good for beginners?
Yes. A kickboard helps beginners build leg strength and work on their kick while the board supports the upper body.
Should I get short or long fins?
Short-blade fins are the usual choice for club training because they keep your kick rate close to normal swimming. Long-blade fins give more propulsion and suit drills and beginners.
Do I need all three training aids?
Most club swimmers carry all three. Fitness swimmers can start with a pull buoy and kickboard and add fins later.
Where should a pull buoy go?
Between your upper thighs, held with a light squeeze. Putting it between your knees or ankles makes the set harder in a different way, and is usually only done when a coach asks for it.