Learn to swim with a book?

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2004-09-21 6:19 PM

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Expert
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acton, Ma
Subject: Learn to swim with a book?

My triathlon season is done, and I have to say, I'm pleased how my performance improved with each race.  I used one of the training guides from this site (sprint to oly, I think) and it was extremely useful.

That said, I know I need to improve a number of skills, especially swimming.  I'm intrigued with Total Immersion, but can't afford to attend the workshops.  Has anybody gotten the book?  What about the video?  Any of you BTers improve your swimming by using TI?

Thanks!

Joanne

2004-09-21 9:42 PM
in reply to: #64826

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Master
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Subject: RE: Learn to swim with a book?
I have both the "Swimming Made Easy" book and the tri specific book too. Both have helped me immensely. I always thought that I could swim a decent breaststroke, but I learned enough to tweak it to the point where I was just a fresh getting out of the water as I was going into it. Now that my race is over, I plan on starting from scratch with my freestyle stroke. I hear that the videos are even better. Maybe something to put on my 3 King's Day list...

-Frank
2004-09-21 9:52 PM
in reply to: #64826

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Learn to swim with a book?
I've used the TI book with good results, but I just got back from my first lesson at the Y. It's 8 sessions for 40 bucks and just this one lesson has given me some great things to work on. If your local Y offers any kind of Adult fitness swim lessons, I recommend it.
2004-09-21 9:52 PM
in reply to: #64894

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Learn to swim with a book?
Scuba-punk,

I too am going to learn TI after my first tri. I will swim my first tri breaststroke. My freestyle is dreadful.
2004-09-21 10:27 PM
in reply to: #64826

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Manchester, Connecticut
Subject: RE: Learn to swim with a book?
My freestyle is horrible, so I bought the TI Video and I'm planning on following it when the HS pool open up in Oct. I have found that I learn much better when I can see what it is that I'm supposed to be doing. Luckily my wife is doing TI with me so I will have a training buddy to help correct my form
2004-09-21 11:28 PM
in reply to: #64826

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Expert
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Northern VA
Subject: RE: Learn to swim with a book?

I highly recommend the TI book and dvd. If you're only gonna get one I'd go with the video.  Do a search for "TI" or "Total Immersion" on the threads and you can get a lot more detail/reviews on them.

Good luck

Gary

2004-09-21 11:40 PM
in reply to: #64826

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Subject: RE: Learn to swim with a book?
I used the TI book with what I consider great results. I took me the better part of a year to get the technique down, but my speed and efficiency in the water have gotten much better.
2004-09-22 6:52 AM
in reply to: #64826

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Subject: RE: Learn to swim with a book?
I got the TI book second hand from Amazon.
It is very useful and has really helped me improve my swimming. To be honest the book is padded out with a lot of repetition and he spends a lot of time selling the TI swimming technique, which seems a little pointless as you have already bought the book. The really useful stuff could be made into a book about 1/4 the size. I still think it is well worth getting the book.

It can be quite hard to visualise the drill they describe in the book. I was thinking of getting the DVD also to help me too.
2004-09-22 9:03 AM
in reply to: #64826

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Expert
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acton, Ma
Subject: RE: Learn to swim with a book?

Thanks for all your responses.

  I'll probably get the book.  I'm also considering finding someone at the local pool for a couple of private lessons too.  I feel that my freestyle form is pretty good, I can breathe on both sides and got the hip rotation down, but I am slowwww.  Average stroke count per 25 yard length is 26!

2004-09-22 9:22 AM
in reply to: #65000

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Subject: RE: Learn to swim with a book?
Make sure you get the newest edition. It was revised in the last year or so. You can preview the videos at www.totalimmersion.net
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