General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Total Immersion Swim Workshop, worth the $ and time? Rss Feed  
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2005-10-20 9:58 AM

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Veteran
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Bowie, MD
Subject: Total Immersion Swim Workshop, worth the $ and time?
So they are having a freestyle workshop about an hour from my house. I started swimming summer of 2004 and I’m slow and not getting faster. It’s not a fitness issue; I can run and bike for hours and even swim up to 5,000 yards ok, it’s really slow (2:10-2:20 per 100 yards).
Those of you who have gone to one, did you like it? Did it help? How much? Worth the time and money?

Sorry if this has been debated to death. I couldn’t find anything on it.


2005-10-20 10:21 AM
in reply to: #268914

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Pro
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Virginia Beach, VA
Subject: RE: Total Immersion Swim Workshop, worth the $ and time?
I'm about to sign up for one in CO Springs in Dec.  The one in MD is obviously closer to me but I already have plans that weekend.  I think it will be $500 well spent.
2005-10-20 10:24 AM
in reply to: #268914

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Master
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Saskatchewan
Subject: RE: Total Immersion Swim Workshop, worth the $ and time?
Yes, do it if you can. Remember, you may not get faster right away, but you'll sure as heck learn how to be more efficient in the water.
2005-10-20 10:44 AM
in reply to: #268914

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Champion
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MA
Subject: RE: Total Immersion Swim Workshop, worth the $ and time?

 I took a 1.5 hour TI clinic at a multisport expo. in March. From there instead of spending the big bucks on the workshop, I found thru a fellow BTer, a local total immersion coach. I figured if she coached me for an hour and I practiced I would have more time to practice what she taught me and really get it. Where the workshop is intense but over within 1.5 days.

I started with her in late March and did classes about every two weeks. During this time period I did not swim at all...I only practiced TI drills. I did drills only for about 8 weeks trying to rid myself of my old bad habits. I know I have spent way less money than the seminar. After 3 or 4 lessons I had learned the TI way to swim. Last month I had a tune up and she helped correct small issues I needed to change. I like that I was able to really learn and practice each progession before I moved on.

You can check out the TI website to locate coaches, but not all coaches are listed. By calling them you can find out if there are any local to you. I pay my coach $55/hour...fyi.

2005-10-20 11:14 AM
in reply to: #268914

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Elite
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Texas
Subject: RE: Total Immersion Swim Workshop, worth the $ and time?
I did the whole weekend workshop. I couldn't swim well at all when I went. Well worth the money. Just remember the improvements come over time. You'll become a lot more effiecient which is good when you have to go on to the bike and run. As for speed, I haven't found anyone who said TI made them faster other than they are actually moving through the water...as opposed to sinking. Good luck.
2005-10-20 12:09 PM
in reply to: #268990


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Subject: RE: Total Immersion Swim Workshop, worth the $ and time?
What were you able to accomplish prior to taking the TI workshop? I mean......were you able to swim a few laps without stopping in the pool? Were you more or less remedial?


2005-10-20 12:13 PM
in reply to: #268914

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Subject: RE: Total Immersion Swim Workshop, worth the $ and time?
While I'm sure you'd learn something at this workshop, I can't believe that you wouldn't do a ton better spending the same $$$ on private 1-on-1 lessons with a good coach. Putting a week or so between lessons would allow you to work on changes and get the muscle memory developed before you make the next change. Just my opinion of course....
2005-10-21 5:51 AM
in reply to: #268914

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Regular
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Naperville, IL
Subject: RE: Total Immersion Swim Workshop, worth the $ and time?
I did the TI workshop in Chicago last month. Simply awsome. My first lap in a pool was 6 weeks ago. 1000 yd TT went from 23:07 before TI class to 18:07 after. Went from 50 yds in 50 strokes and 66 seconds to 28 strokes and 44 seconds. Definitely worth it for me. They also taught me how to swim with virtually no kick, a big plus for tri swimming.
2005-10-21 6:42 AM
in reply to: #269032

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Elite
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Chicago
Subject: RE: Total Immersion Swim Workshop, worth the $ and time?

MLJ - 2005-10-20 11:13 AM While I'm sure you'd learn something at this workshop, I can't believe that you wouldn't do a ton better spending the same $$$ on private 1-on-1 lessons with a good coach. Putting a week or so between lessons would allow you to work on changes and get the muscle memory developed before you make the next change. Just my opinion of course....

I'm in this boat.  I'd take the $500 and use it for 4-5 lessons spaced about 1 to 1.5 weeks apart for 1 on 1 sessions.

You can only concentrate 1 (max 2) things when swimming and it takes about 3-4 times in the water to really create any neuromuscular memory...

2005-10-21 7:59 AM
in reply to: #269474

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Seattle, WA
Subject: RE: Total Immersion Swim Workshop, worth the $ and time?
I recently considered the workshop and looked at the agenda for each day. It seemed like there was a lot of classroom time. I decided instead to purchase the book (~$15), the DVD (~$40) and then I found a TI coach that charges $85 for 55 minutes of private instruction. I am going to take things as far as I can with the book and DVD on my own, and then get at least one private coaching lesson. That will cost about $140. Even if I went for two additional private lesions it would still be more than $100 less than the weekend workshop.

- Heidi
2005-10-21 1:56 PM
in reply to: #268914

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Extreme Veteran
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Texas
Subject: RE: Total Immersion Swim Workshop, worth the $ and time?
My MIL took the workshop last year. She went into it have very little swimming under her belt. She felt the weekend workshop was a little too intense. She thought she would have gotten more from the workshop if she had practiced the drills before going. She did get the DVD after the class and it has helped.

Look around for some local coaches. We have two coaches that teach something similar to TI and while I think they are expensive it's still cheaper that the weekend workshop.


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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Total Immersion Swim Workshop, worth the $ and time? Rss Feed