Hello - I'm new to this board. I recently took up swimming again (did it a lot (competitively) in my much, much younger days), and have dabbled here and there for the past 6 years or so, but I'm now doing more regular workouts at a local indoor pool. I started because I'm a runner currently off land with a stress fracture, so while doing pool running I noticed the masters workouts going on and decided to join in for the added crosstraining.
It turns out that this coach is great. The workouts generally have 3 to 8 people, and being new, I'm always in Lane 1 getting constant input on my stroke, which has already changed. He really pushes us pretty hard, doing all strokes, lots of drills and intervals - definitely good for lactate threshold workouts, endurance, and V02 max (things I relate to in running).
I was wondering, if you care to share, what you pay for masters workouts, and what you get for that (how many days per week, additional pool time at no extra cost, etc.).
And, a couple more questions if you don't mind: Any benefits to joining USMS if you are not planning on doing swim meets? (I'm planning on doing a triathlon here and there, hence the swimming.)
And, kickboards: cheap foam okay, or any difference in what's out there?
Thanks for any input!!
Parents
Former Member
Welcome, Pam!
I swim up at Sewickley, and there is no cost to join our Master's Team, though you must be a member of the Y we swim at. So, I guess you could say I spend $16/month (college rates, yay!). The obvious perks are that besides our thrice-weekly practices, there is use of the YMCA.
As far as joining USMS, if you don't plan to compete, I wouldn't worry about it, but you can still practice with your team. Several of our own swimmers are triathletes, and while some don't compete at meets, some do, and they get better and better triathlon times as a result of practicing with us.
As far as kickboards, I just use the Y's boards, but if you're looking to buy your own, almost anything speedo or aardvarkswim.com carries will do the trick. Some people even prefer to kick without boards (note: I am not one of those people)
Welcome to the melee, and good luck!
Steph
Welcome, Pam!
I swim up at Sewickley, and there is no cost to join our Master's Team, though you must be a member of the Y we swim at. So, I guess you could say I spend $16/month (college rates, yay!). The obvious perks are that besides our thrice-weekly practices, there is use of the YMCA.
As far as joining USMS, if you don't plan to compete, I wouldn't worry about it, but you can still practice with your team. Several of our own swimmers are triathletes, and while some don't compete at meets, some do, and they get better and better triathlon times as a result of practicing with us.
As far as kickboards, I just use the Y's boards, but if you're looking to buy your own, almost anything speedo or aardvarkswim.com carries will do the trick. Some people even prefer to kick without boards (note: I am not one of those people)
Welcome to the melee, and good luck!
Steph
