Customer Reviews:
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 Stop Struggling!, February 21, 2009
By john (Chicago, IL USA)
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A few weeks ago, a friend convinced me to do a sprint triathlon with him in a few months. Soon thereafter, I decided to go to my gym's pool to see how far I could swim, just to gauge how much work lay ahead. I already knew *how* to swim (via years of lessons at the Y) but figured I needed to work on my fitness level. To my shock, at the end of maybe 75 yds, I had to stop. I was exhuasted, gasping, and had a heart rate through the roof. Even though I'm in decent shape, i figured I must be out of shape for swimming. So to the gym I went, faithfully churning out lap after exhausting lap, trying to kick and splash my way to fitness. But part of me knew there was something wrong. I would see the 65 year old guys doing lap after effortless lap and thought there must be a better way. Well, THIS is that better way. The TI system was recommended in Joe Friel's "Your first Triathlon" and his highly regarded "The Triathlete's Trainig Bible" as well as in "Chi Running".
Now there's nothing magical or mysterious about the TI system. Some of it is just sound swimming technique known by others for a long time (eg looking down, body rotation, streamlining, etc). But there are other aspects that seem to be unique to TI. Where the system really shines is in the step-wise approach and skill-specific drills to building a smoother and more efficient stroke. It's broken down so logically and systematically that one can't help but to improve one's freestyle stroke by simply trying to execute its lessons.
The DVD itself is of decent quality, more than adequate to accomplish its goal. While a couple of the video sequences look as though the camera operator was drunk, it is mostly well-filmed and it is easy to see the details of the drill that is being explained. They are shot both above and below the water and from multiple angles, sometimes even using split screens to enhance understanding. The music and graphics are a little cheap but who really cares. Before a pool session, I usually watch a chapter while taking notes. Then I bring my notes with me to the pool (in a ziplock bag) to jog my memory of the important points I need to keep in mind. This really works but it's not magic. You'll have to drill, be patient, and get to the pool regularly.
While the DVD itself will be sure to improve your stroke, I think the weekend TI workshop is extremely helpful in making sure you're doing the drills properly. Until you see underwater video of yourself, it's really hard to get an accurate sense of how efficient your stroke really is.
All in all, an extremely useful DVD for anyone (especially triathletes) who wants to improve their freestyle. Highly recommended!
51 of 52 people found the above review helpful.
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Happy Laps at a Reasonable Price, March 4, 2009
By MPR (San Jose, CA)
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I am training for a triathlon with a 1.5 mile swim and even though I already "know" how to swim (I took an intermediate swim class in college), I know there is a lot of room for improvement in my stroke.
The Total Immersion company puts on two day workshops to teach you how to swim, but they are pretty pricey at $500-700 if I remember correctly. I opted to buy the Total Immersion book for $11 instead. While the book was quite helpful and insightful, it didn't cut my strokes and effort levels nearly as dramatically as many raving fans had experienced. The book also contains some seriously bad drawings that you are left to interpret then try to imitate in the pool (while guessing what your form looks like). Since that wasn't the best, I figured I'd give it another chance by buying this DVD ($20-something if you go with one of the non-Amazon sellers like I did).
This DVD was very helpful for me. I instantly discovered that I had been doing some of the drills from the book incorrectly by watching the swim technique in action. While there are some inconsistencies with the book (different drills at least), overall it was very helpful at reinforcing what I learned and taking me to the next level. I finally had my moment in the pool where I dropped a significant number of strokes off each length while simultaneously feeling like I was using less effort to get across the pool! I am very excited to use what I have learned during my triathlon.
You probably won't become Michael Phelps by watching this video, but if you want to take your game to the next level as a recreational swimmer or triathlete, I would highly recommend this video.
33 of 33 people found the above review helpful.
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Best instruction yet..., January 29, 2009
By M. Van Cleave
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I have read the total immersion book and previously seen Terry's Easy Freestyle DVD, but still had some questions about technique and how to breath rythmically. I decided I would invest in this new release and I am glad I did. The DVD is well produced and shows many more drills that really help to increase your technique.
Buy it, it is well worth the price and time.
26 of 26 people found the above review helpful.
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More helpful than 15 years of swimming lessons, July 28, 2009
By Katie (Scottsdale, AZ)
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I am so grateful for the Total Immersion program. I've been swimming all my life. I swim regularly for exercise, and I did summer swim team as a kid. I've always been good at breaststroke, but I've never felt as comfortable or as proficient at freestyle. This DVD breaks the stroke down into easy-to-master pieces. I've never had a swim teacher or coach give me such helpful lessons as I've found in this program. Also, any time I've had difficulty with a lesson in the DVD, I've gotten a quick, professional response from the forums on [...]
It has taken patience and a lot of practice to master these techniques. But the results have been amazing.
The book Total Immersion: The Revolutionary Way To Swim Better, Faster, and Easier is good too, but as a companion to the DVD. If you have to choose between the two, definitely go with the DVD. The book explains a lot of the theory and history behind the program, but there are not enough pictures to adequately explain the drills.
11 of 11 people found the above review helpful.
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 Great instructions!, March 20, 2009
By Run4yerlife
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These instructions are for beginner freestyle swimmers. It clears up many of the common mistakes made by self taught swimmers. I appreciate the introduction of concepts such as having the arms following imaginary tracks, streamline skating, etc. All in all good tips for beginner freestyle swimmers. Total immersion also conducts freestyle clinics/camps at many major cities -- see their website.
9 of 9 people found the above review helpful.
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Easy Freestle really is easy, May 27, 2009
By Curtis S. Goodman
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I have never been able to swim well and do laps in the pool or feel like i wasn't drowning after only a short time in the water. The techniques in this video are simple and they do work. They do take practice but its really worth it if you want to swim better
9 of 10 people found the above review helpful.
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Total Immersion, March 21, 2009
By Down Hill (Berkshires)
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The video was well organized with very good examples shown in slow motion. I was very suprised when I first watched it that the beginning drills were not the same as the book copyright 2004. I had purchased the video to reinforce the my understanding of the drills described in the book. After trying the new drills I found that the video was an improvement over the book. The primary change is starting the drills on your stomach versus your back. The other big change is less of a rotation of the shoulders. After a week of practicing the drills I reduced my stroke per lap from 12 to 9 and felt much more efficient and comfortable in the water.
8 of 8 people found the above review helpful.
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Superb, June 24, 2010
By BookMurph (Raleigh, NC, United States)
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I'm only through the first two lessons, and this has already revolutionized my swimming. I've got heavy, dense bones and muscles, and I used to use half my energy just trying to stay afloat. Now I cut through the water like an otter with an outboard motor.
Good production values, clear instructions, easy exercises, superb material.
Pricey, but worth it.
6 of 6 people found the above review helpful.
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Great DVD!, October 24, 2009
By Reader (GA, USA)
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Terry Laughlin's swimming philosophy is that the swimmers improve most when they improve swimming efficiency. This video provides the drills needed to improve swimming efficiency. The first drill is to learn to swim in a straight path with the body in a streamlined relaxed horizontal position. Subsequent lessons show how to swim in a rotated position (right side down or left side down), and breath while maintaining a straight horizontal position. He focuses on the recovery and entry phases of the stroke, and the synchronization of body roll with arm entry. Initially swimming is very slow; ultimately the goal is to increase the stroke rate gradually while always maintaining correct form. The quality of the videos is excellent, and all drills are clearly displayed.
There are some swimming efficiencies that are not emphasized. The video does not describe how to achieve a good catch position. The video also does describe how to time relative movement of both arms to maintain continuous propulsive motion through the water; the drills suggest a rotate to one side, stroke and glide, then rotate to the other side, stroke, and glide method. This initial swimming style is less efficient, and more difficult for me as it requires a longer time between breaths than a faster more continuous propulsive style of swimming; I expect that as stroke rate increases with a briefer recovery phase, a more continuous propulsive swimming occurs. A very useful addition would be to give the swimmer clues that a solitary swimmer can use to determine when swimming form is incorrect.
Overall, a great DVD that improved my swimming, and is likely to improve the swimming of most swimmers as well.
6 of 6 people found the above review helpful.
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A unique way to swim, March 19, 2010
By Maraden L. Panjaitan (Denver, CO USA)
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This technique is different with the conventional one. Your hips are the engine while your hands are the propellers. So you don't use your hands as pedals. This means hands training aids work against this technique. I personally like this one since I do long distance swim i.e, 1 mile. I did shave my 1 mile time from 50 min to 42 min in 1 month. Don't mix this technique with the conventional one. I found out it works against each other. If you like this technique, throw away your buoyant training aid as well.
5 of 5 people found the above review helpful.
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very helpful video, much better than previous years by laughlin, April 22, 2009
By Lisa Wanta (wisconsin)
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very helpful video in techniques to better swimming. much better than previous videos by laughlin.
5 of 5 people found the above review helpful.
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Different ways to approach the technique that seem to work, July 22, 2010
By Christophe Hamann
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If you are looking to improve your times or just learn how to conserve more energy over a fixed distance then you will probably benefit from this book. Don't mix this technique with the conventional one. I found out it works against each other. If you like this technique, throw away your buoyant training aid as well.This technique is different with the conventional one. Your hips are the engine while your hands are the propellers. So you don't use your hands as pedals. This means hands training aids work against this technique. I like this one since I do long distance swim i.e, 2 miles. I did shave my 2 mile time by 35 min.
5 of 6 people found the above review helpful.
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Great book for learning good swim techniques, February 20, 2009
By J. COPPA (West Coast USA)
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This book provides a lot of useful drills for learning to swim properly. Learning to swim for distance is surprisingly difficult and without some advise seems impossible. This book is the next best thing to hiring a private swim instructor. You need to be the type of person that can discipline yourself and spend time on the drills. Otherwise, spend the money on a trainer.
5 of 6 people found the above review helpful.
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Great Instructional Video for Beginners, March 4, 2010
By F. D. Arauz (NJ, USA)
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This is the fist video i have purchased for to make my swimming classes easier to understand.
I have taken swim classes before with little improvement. This video was great for showing me the body position and stroke technique. The underwater views are great. Overall its a great video for learning/viewing the swimming technique.
After about 4 swim session I am more relaxed and comfortable with swimming and able to swim at least one full lap instead of half laps!
4 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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Great swim instruction video!, February 7, 2010
By Anne Perry (Salt Lake City, UT)
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I bought this video to supplement the book, Total Immersion. I have found the video to be just as helpful or more than the book as you can see exactly what the swim drills are meant to be like. I am a beginner swimmer and found that the drills in Lesson 1 and 2 have been very helpful for me feeling more comfortable in the water and finding a sense of balance. I tend to panic a lot and found that these drills slowly introduce new concepts step by step to reduce a sense of panic in the water. I'd recommend this method to anyone!
4 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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Best way for me to learn, August 11, 2010
By Ellen (Bethesda, MD USA)
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I had learned to swim (badly) many years ago, but after almost 40 years of not practicing, what little I knew was pretty useless. Besides which, I had virtually stopped exercising, other than leisurely walks.
At 60, I decided to try again, and this DVD looked interesting. I find the conceptual approach very helpful - focusing on relaxing, breathing, and becoming confident that I'm not likely to drown.
I am taking it very slowly, but I have absolutely fallen in love with being in the water, and I am building skills and reflexes that will serve me well as I put the pieces together and build up my strength. My husband and I have also been working with a teacher who teaches in a more traditional way, but she has been very supportive of my doing it this way, and has been very impressed with the results.
A side benefit is that the way I am learning to breathe for swimming is improving my breathing for singing - another passion of mine.
3 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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WOW!, April 24, 2010
By Sarah Hillebrand (Longview, WA)
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I was surprised at how good this video was. He goes over everything step-by-step and gives you tips and tricks to practice to improve your stroke. I am a complete newbie and I was amazed at the amount of information on this video. I think it will really help me learn. The only complain I have is that it is a very low budget recording and in some parts he is actually out of the frame while he is demonstrating some of the swimming. A little strange, but not detrimental to the program. If you are looking for a video to help you better understand the freestyle stroke, this is for you!
3 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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Easy Freestyle Swimming DVD by Terry Laughlin, July 21, 2010
By Sue (Georgia)
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The DVD of Easy Freestyle Swimming by Terry Laughlin showed well on my computer, and is very helpful, I think, for those wishing to learn or perfect freestyle swimming.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Great DVD, April 16, 2010
By Door man for cats (Saint Cloud, MN, US)
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This DVD is Superior to the previous version. The instruction method is clear and divided in to steps that make learning the swimming method much easier.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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T.I. Freestyle, December 27, 2009
By Maryann (Gresham, Oregon)
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This is a great DVD to start good technique with distance swimming. The step by step drills are very well explained. Terry Laughlin, the creator of this DVD, also explains the importance of "mindful swimming" as opposed to just putting in a certain amount of time or a certain number of laps. This DVD has totally changed how and why I practice.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Absolutely Brilliant, December 12, 2009
By Terryahh (Australia)
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I have six children so teaching them how to swim and be safe in the pool and surf is important.
It is too difficult to get them all into their different age swimming lessons. Time is an issue.
I opted to teach them myself all together- however wanted their technique to be really good which I have never been taught.
These dvds are amazing- already just after the first two lessons I can see such a change in them. I am so relieved that I have the best to give them now. Me (their father) teaching them with these dvds to help is an extra bonus above just puting them in with someone else to learn. I feel like I am doing what a father is supposed to do - share myself and give to them, but with a worldclass professional teaching me how to teach them. The progression in the exersices given are clear and so good. Very well done.
Thank you from Australia
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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easy swimming, September 30, 2009
By Easy swimming (CA, USA)
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I liked the video, although it was a little long winded and one would have to do this in sections to get it right by ones self. It would be easier with an instructor (naturally)it is not always possible to know if you are doing the strokes correctly and it takes a lot of practice which I have not mastered yet as I still train 3 times a week and its easy to slip back into old habits. It will take discipline to get this but I have seen people who have mastered the skill and it is amazing to watch.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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The best freestyle training video you could buy!, September 10, 2009
By wapak84 (Sugar Land, TX USA)
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Total Immersion and Terry Laughlin take you step by step in the process of swimming efficiently and effortlessly. This video, which I accompanied with the book "Total Immersion: The Revolutionary Way To Swim Better, Faster, and Easier," has made it a pleasure to train for my triathlon swims. After doing the drills, I feel more confident and more relaxed in the water. I would highly recommend this along with any of TI's other products for triathletes, competition swimmers, and anybody else looking to enjoy learning the "right" way to swim.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Helpful, August 12, 2009
By J. Stroup (Fishers, IN)
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My husband competes in triathalons and has been working on improving his swimming. He found the video helpful and
was able to learn a few new tips.
2 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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Perfect complement to Total Immersion book, June 13, 2011
By D. Hector
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If you've been working through the Total Immersion book faithfully but need just a bit more help, this DVD is the perfect complement to your swimming. The shots come from many angles for each drill, Terry explains your desired sensory feeling in a voiceover during each clip, and video quality is great.
This video is not designed to stand alone. It is meant to supplement information in the book and to give you thorough visuals for the drills.
Regrettably, there isn't much footage of whole-stroke swimming, nor are the drill names always consistent with those used in the latest edition of the Total Immersion book.
Conclusion: Short of personal coaching, this video combined with the Total Immersion book is your most effective, most economical path to swimming proficiency. Don't have one without the other.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Easy freestyle swimming, October 9, 2010
By John Treuil (New Orleans)
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The video makes the art of swimming much easier when the basics are learned properly and imprinted in the brain. Though I have not mastered the technique yet my swimming is 100% better than it was. I highly recommend this DVD.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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An Amazing Video, August 6, 2009
By Huynh Cam Nhung (Vietnam)
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Terry Laughlin has made a "Culture" that you will not only non-stop practice his way but also deliver it to other ones.
1 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Best way for me to learn, August 12, 2010
By Ellen (Bethesda, MD USA)
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I had learned to swim (badly) many years ago, but after almost 40 years of not practicing, what little I knew was pretty useless. Besides which, I had virtually stopped exercising, other than leisurely walks.
At 60, I decided to try again, and this DVD looked interesting. I find the conceptual approach very helpful - focusing on relaxing, breathing, and becoming confident that I'm not likely to drown.
I am taking it very slowly, but I have absolutely fallen in love with being in the water, and I am building skills and reflexes that will serve me well as I put the pieces together and build up my strength. My husband and I have also been working with a teacher who teaches in a more traditional way, but she has been very supportive of my doing it this way, and has been very impressed with the results.
A side benefit is that the way I am learning to breathe for swimming is improving my breathing for singing - another passion of mine.
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"Easy Freestyle" (2008) vs. "Perpetual Motion" (2010), February 4, 2012
By George
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For newcomers to TI swimming (and I'm one), I'd recommend the "Easy Freestyle" DVD rather than the "Perpetual Motion" DVD for one's introduction to this type of swimming. Even though "Easy Freestyle" was made prior to "Perpetual Motion", I feel it was better made. For example, breathing technique (important, yet tricky) is given more focus and is much better integrated with the overall stroke in "Easy Freestyle." Also, the DVD medium is better put to use in "Easy Freestyle" with helpful on-screen graphics and multiple-angle views. Finally, I think "Easy Freestyle" does a better job of pulling together all the techniques from the various drills and helping the newcomer combine these different techniques into an integrated, smooth freestyle stroke.
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Great DVD!, September 16, 2011
By SJH6 (NJ, USA)
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I just started working on the beginner drills and am already seeing a difference in my swimming. Can't wait to get to more advanced drills! He does a great job demonstrating the drills and explaining why the techniques work.
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great product, March 21, 2011
By Robin Bird (Central Square, NY United States)
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I purchased this DVD with the Triathlon Swimming Made Easy book. Using the two together is helping me improve my swim. The DVD is easy to follow and it lets you see the techniques that you can understand as well with the book alone. I would recommend this product.
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good training DVD, August 27, 2010
By S. Taber (TARHEEL)
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Easy to understand training DVD. It has helped my swimstroke considerably. The ony draw back is the early 80's music and transitions.
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Delivers the goods., May 18, 2012
By Rip
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I began "Triathlon" style exercises for weight loss. The swimming was leaving me breathless after just two laps. I began to look into ways to improve my swimming. I found some TI clips on the web and ordered this DVD. I have swam over a mile on several occasions since studying these techniques. Thinking of trying out the Breaststroke next.
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Great book, May 3, 2012
By DMay (North Carolina)
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Been swimming laps for years since a lifeguard in high school. Often the focus of training was on sprints up to a 400. At 41 I wanted to change my technique to accommodate long distances of a mile at a time. The DVD works. It is a different kind of technique but it takes time off of your long distance swim times immediately. Probably not sprints, but that is not the focus. Get the DVD!
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