AK Team Paddle Size Guide

The AK Team Hand Paddles are part of the AK Essentials range, offering top-quality training equipment at an affordable price. By increasing the surface area of your hand, the paddles add resistance through the pull phase, making your arms, shoulders, chest and lats work harder to develop swim-specific strength and endurance.

Paddles also amplify your stroke technique. A clean catch feels powerful and connected, while a dropped elbow or poor hand entry will cause the paddle to slip or wobble, giving instant feedback on every stroke. Each paddle is secured with adjustable straps and is colour-coded by size for easy identification on a busy pool deck.

Available in Small, Medium and Large. Sizing is based on paddle dimensions — the paddle should be just slightly larger than your hand.

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How to Size : AK Team Hand Paddles

Measure your hand and compare to the paddle dimensions in the table below. The paddle should sit just slightly larger than your hand for the correct training profile.

  1. 1
    Measure your hand length from the base of your palm to the tip of your middle finger, and your palm width across the widest part of your palm below the knuckles, excluding the thumb.
  2. 2
    Compare your measurements to the paddle dimensions in the table below. Choose the paddle where your hand measurements fall just within or just below the paddle size.
  3. 3
    If between sizes, size up for a more comfortable fit. A paddle that is too large increases shoulder strain; one that is too small will not provide enough resistance.
Sizing Table : AK Team Hand Paddles
Size Strap Colour Paddle Width (cm) Paddle Length (cm)
Small Red 13.5 cm 14.5 cm
Medium Orange 16.5 cm 18 cm
Large Blue 19.5 cm 20.5 cm

Dimensions are paddle measurements, not hand measurements. The paddle body is black with colour-coded straps. If between sizes, size up. New to paddle training? Start with Small or Medium.

Fit Notes : AK Team Hand Paddles
  • Choose a paddle that is just slightly larger than your hand. A paddle that is too large increases the risk of shoulder strain; one that is too small will not provide sufficient resistance for training benefit.
  • Small is suited to swimmers with smaller hands or those new to paddle training. Medium is the standard size for most adult fitness swimmers. Large is suited to swimmers with larger hands or those looking to increase resistance for strength development.
  • Each size is colour-coded by strap — Small has red straps, Medium has orange straps, and Large has blue straps. All paddles have a black body.
  • When correctly fitted using the adjustable straps, the paddle should sit flat against the palm without the fingers pulling or bunching. Adjust the strap routing if the paddle is tilting.
  • Hand paddles are best suited to intermediate and advanced fitness swimmers, triathletes and sprinters. If you are new to paddle training, start with a smaller size and shorter sets as the added resistance can place extra stress on the shoulders.
  • Rinse in fresh water after every session and allow to dry naturally. Check the straps periodically for wear.
  • Unsure? Contact our team or call +44 1827 330600.
Frequently Asked Questions : AK Team Hand Paddles

Measure your hand length and palm width and compare to the paddle dimensions in the size table above. Choose the paddle where your measurements fall just within or just below the paddle size. The paddle should extend slightly beyond your fingertips. If between sizes, size up.

Hand paddles are best introduced once you have a reasonable stroke foundation. Complete beginners are generally better off developing technique without paddles first. If you are new to paddle training, start with Small or Medium and use them for shorter sets initially, building volume gradually as your shoulders adapt to the added resistance.

Paddles amplify the feedback you receive from your catch and pull. A clean catch with a high elbow and correct hand entry will feel powerful and connected. A dropped elbow, poor entry angle, or slipping hand path will cause the paddle to wobble or slip, giving you immediate, tangible feedback on each stroke that is harder to detect when swimming bare-handed.

A paddle that is too large increases the load on the shoulder joint with every stroke. Over time and during high-volume sets, this can cause shoulder strain or injury. Choosing a paddle that is just slightly larger than the hand provides the resistance needed for training benefit without placing an unsafe load on the shoulder.

Hand paddles are most commonly used for freestyle and backstroke pull sets. They can be used for butterfly but the additional resistance is significant, so only more experienced swimmers should use them for butterfly training. Paddles are generally not used for breaststroke due to the different arm mechanics.

The AK Team Hand Paddles use adjustable straps that loop over the fingers and around the wrist. Adjust the straps so the paddle sits flat and stable against the palm without the fingers pulling or bunching. The paddle should feel secure during the pull phase without restricting finger movement excessively.

Yes. Using paddles with a pull buoy is a common training combination. The pull buoy supports the legs so you can focus entirely on the arm stroke, while the paddles add resistance and amplify technique feedback. This combination is effective for both strength building and stroke refinement.

Rinse in fresh water after every session to remove chlorine and debris. Allow to dry naturally away from direct sunlight. Check the straps periodically for signs of wear or loss of elasticity and replace if needed. Store flat to prevent warping of the paddle face over time.