Hello,
I have read all the Masters Swimming 101 articles and I am still not sure what it means to be in a masters swimming class and how it is different from a regular advanced swim class.
I am able to swim a lap (50 m) without stopping, freestyle and *** stroke. And I swim mainly to work out. I'm looking for someone to help me improve my form and swim more efficiently. It would be nice to participate in some of those swim competitions at some point, but I know I am nowhere close to being ready for that.
My gym offers a Masters Swim class in the mornings. I am usually there during that time, and I've never seen anybody providing any coaching. I just see a bunch of people come in at that time and start swimming on their own. I've tried to ask the gym's swim department for more details, but they have been very vague. They say Masters Swim Class is more coaching whereas their adult swim class is for learning.
Can someone describe what typically happens during a masters swim class? Should it the class be a re-occurring class or is it a one time clinic type of session? Should a coach be physically present or do you just get instructions to do on your own?
Thanks!
One other perspective ... I can *barely* swim a 25 freestyle, can't do butterfly at all, can sort of do backstroke but it's ridiculous, and am fairly competent at breaststroke. I tried out a master's swim this evening and I did much much less than the other people there but the coach got me doing things I haven't done in 20 years. He was very involved and was giving me specific feedback that I was able to implement right away and swim much more competently. He gave me kicking drills and had me do different strokes and then he critiqued them. The other swimmers did a full workout, with all four strokes, and he was talking with them and giving them feedback as well. I am exhausted and also I love it. :)
It sounds like the experience of others is that masters coaches aren't that involved, but my experience (with just this one guy) is the opposite. I think I learned more tonight than I did in four weeks of group lessons. So maybe check out some programs, lessons, etc, and see what fits you. There is no way to know how any individual situation will be without giving it a try. :)
One other perspective ... I can *barely* swim a 25 freestyle, can't do butterfly at all, can sort of do backstroke but it's ridiculous, and am fairly competent at breaststroke. I tried out a master's swim this evening and I did much much less than the other people there but the coach got me doing things I haven't done in 20 years. He was very involved and was giving me specific feedback that I was able to implement right away and swim much more competently. He gave me kicking drills and had me do different strokes and then he critiqued them. The other swimmers did a full workout, with all four strokes, and he was talking with them and giving them feedback as well. I am exhausted and also I love it. :)
It sounds like the experience of others is that masters coaches aren't that involved, but my experience (with just this one guy) is the opposite. I think I learned more tonight than I did in four weeks of group lessons. So maybe check out some programs, lessons, etc, and see what fits you. There is no way to know how any individual situation will be without giving it a try. :)
