My job at FINIS often entails explaining how our training tools work to improve stroke efficiency and technique. When I go to an event, one of the first products people ask me about is the Forearm Fulcrum. Its unique “infinity” loop shape always seems to intrigue a passerby at trade shows, clinics and swim meets. “What’s that?” is often the first question I get.
The concept behind the Forearm Fulcrum is simple: it creates an arm blade from the elbow to the fingertips. By just wearing the device, the user’s wrist remains straight throughout the pull, promoting a high-elbow catch and early vertical forearm.
Ironically, the biggest challenge when explaining the Forearm Fulcrum is getting the user to put the device on correctly. Nine out of ten users will put the Forearm Fulcrum on wrong the first time they try (I admit that I am one of the nine). Here are a few simple tips to wearing the Forearm Fulcrum correctly:
- Orient the Forearm Fulcrum properly. Make sure the FINIS logo is facing down with the blue padding facing upwards.
- Hold the Forearm Fulcrum in one hand. Slip your hand through the 1st loop from below, then slide the device up your forearm until your hand can slip into the 2nd loop.
- One easy reminder is to always have the bottom of your wrist rest flat against the large blue padding in the middle of the two loops.
- Make sure to place your hand in the 2nd loop with your thumb out. You want you wrist as flat as possible!
Honestly, pictures may be the best way to learn. Common mistakes and the correct “wear” for the Forearm Fulcrum are shown below:
- Paul
Um, is the correct picture incorrect? The more curved portion should be on the inside causing the fingertips to be pointed slightly towards the bodies mid-line.
Erik,
Thanks for the comment. I believe the image looked incorrect due to the angle of the shot. I’ve retaken the image to make the correct orientation more clear. Note that the forearm fulcrum is slightly curved and that this curve should be facing towards the body when put on the hand and arm.
Does it matter which loop for forearm and which loop for fingertips?
Nope. Both loops are the same size. However, as Erik pointed out, one side of the device has a larger curved portion. The more curved side should be on the inside of the arm, allowing the finger and hands to be pointed slightly inward for the correct catch-and-pull placement.
Something that took me a while to figure out is that the label and inside rubber placement diagrams are the same — so one of them is going to be wrong.
It would be easier if one of them was labeled Left and Right / and then also with a finger end. This would ensure that they went on the right way
You can put them on slightly wrong (so wrist is angled out instead of in) and not notice. It is hard to instruct 30 people in the right way to use them and then check.
I agree with Donald. They are very poorly marked. It may save cost to use the same label on both, but you should consider using the label to show proper placement.
You should also include instructions on the packaging. It is not likely that everyone will go to your website to figure out how to use these properly. Especially if they purchase these somewhere else.
You should also change your instruction on this web page about having the slight curve towards your body. That is what I was looking for when I checked your site and if I didn’t read these comments I would not have found the answer.
Thanks for the info on putting them on. I just got myself a pair this week cos I apparently bend my wrist outwards at the catch part of my stroke. The only trouble is that I’m finding they tend to slide off while I swim. I don’t have long arms or fingers and I’m wonderig if this contibutes to them sliding down and coming off? Should I maybe tape/velcro them on around the wrist/forearm do you think or would this defeat the purpose of what they’re meant to achieve? Thanks for you help!
Jazzyjok, there are a few reasons why they may not be staying on while you swim. First of all, the Forearm Fulcrum is designed to force you to swim correctly when it is on. It is designed to fall off if your wrist is not in the correct position. If you are correctly swimming with a straight wrist and applying pressure to the water with your entire hand and forearm the forearm fulcrum should stay securely on your hand and wrist. If this is not the case and you are using the forearm fulcrum correctly, you may be using the incorrect size. Ideally, the forearm fulcrum should sit on your finger tips and 3/4 of the way up your forearm.
Hi Paul, thanks for your quick reply. The problem that I’m having is that the forearm fulcrum is coming off during the recovery part of the stroke, when my arm is out of the water. It just feels as though I’m fighting to keep it on my arm. I’m wondering about the adult “one size fits all”. There must be people with very different size forearms and hands and the forearm fulcrum must fit each person very differently. Maybe a small, medium and large size based on forearm length would be a good idea. For myself the distance from my elbow to my fingertips is 72cm – do you think based on this that I would be better suited to the adult or the junior forearm fulcrum? Thanks again, Steve.
Steve,
At 42 cm, you should definitely be using the SR size for optimal performance with the Forearm fulcrum. My arm length is at about 46cm and works quite well with the forearm fulcrum if I am applying pressure in the correct phases of the stroke and keeping a straight wrist during the recovery. Is it possible that you “flick” your wrist as you begin to recovery?
Hi Paul,
I was wondering if you could explain the sizing difference b/w the Sr. and the Jr, and what would be the best fit for each one. Do you see women fit the Jr. fulcrum paddle more comfortably given their (typically) more narrower arms and smaller hands?
Thanks
Claudia,
It really depends on the length of your forearm more than anything. If your forearm from fingers to elbow is longer than about 15 inches or about 38 cm, I would recommend getting the larger size. You do not want the forearm fulcrum extending past your elbow.
I just bought the SR forearm fulcrom paddles and they go up about my elbow. My elbow to my fingertip is about 40 cm. Should I get the JR paddles instead?
Phil, if the SR size reaches up to your elbow, your arms might be slightly on the small side for the SR, but you should be able to effectively use the forearm fulcrum so long as you can feel pressure applied to your arm and do not feel the forearm fulcrum beginning to fall off. If you do not find the SR size comfortable, you can try the JR size. As Claudia mentioned, while arm length is a big factor in choosing the correct size, smaller hands and narrower arms can also effect the sizing.
I have just purchased a set of the fulcrums and I too had an issue of them falling off. One reason could be my poor alignment and thus the reason for the needed correction, but also I didnt realize that the more pronounced curve should be on the inside, so will try that out at my next swim. For sure you can feel the difference on the wrist and its angle in the water. Agree with Dianne and Donald on the markings, ever so simple yet would be highly effective, especially at the 530am swims!
thanks
tony
My son is 12, with a 38cm length from finger tip to elbow. I don’t want to waste money and buy a junior size when he is growing so rapidly but want it to be practical for him this year when he needs the stroke correction. Will a size SR work at this point? Thanks.
Hi Darren,
At 38cm, the correct size can come down to preference. With the age of your son and given this consideration, I would recommend purchasing the SR size.
The fulcra that I have are identical, so each one shows the thumb on the left with the fingers/ each hand pointing forwards (this is when the when the blue surface faces upwards.
With the positioning just described, the more pronounced curves are on the left on both fulcra.
Unfortunately the diagrams on the website are not visible, as their positions are indicated only be blue boxes with a question mark
I wonder if you could please explain whether there should be a left fulcrum and a right fulcrum or whether there is another explanation, that I have not figured out
Many thanks
Andrew
Your instructions read: “Note that the forearm fulcrum is slightly curved and that this curve should be facing towards the body when put on the hand and arm.”
Without seeing the pictures/ diagrams, I don’t understand the comment that the curves should point towards the body.
Whether the curves point in or out depends on whether the palm is facing upwards or downward.
Could you please clarify.
Many thanks
Further to my last point, the issue is about whether the forearm is pronated or supinated makes the difference between the side that the greater concavity is- that the perspective of the individual with the fulcrum in place, viewing from shoulder to wrist.
Thanks