An update on my swim and compare Swim Smooth to Total Immersion please..
Former Member
Hi, I haven't posted on here in awhile. I started learning to freestyle last June. Took a few lessons from a bad instructor, fired him, took up the TI method.
TI is going "ok", but after months of practicing, it's just not happening well for me. It has made me a better swimmer, it has made me much more comfortable in the water. The concept is good, but without having another buddy willing to do it with me and an instructor to look at you, it is very frustrating.
I am considering the swim smooth videos. Anyone have experience from here with them?
How does Swim Smooth compare to Total Immersion in concept?? Would I just be wasting more $$??
I have a very good friend/swim buddy that is a most awesome distance and speed swimmer. He has been helping me. I still struggle with my butt sinking. He said today it did look odd, my head was "nearly" flat enough and my kick was good, but....my butt did sink down below the water level. I am tall, 6'3.5 inches 225 pounds. I maybe a lil slumped shoulder?? I dunno if that is why I continue to struggle with this sinking butt issue or not.
I am trying very hard to swim like I see myself in my mind. I guess I'm that "Legend in my own mind". ;)
Here's me: swim one lap pretty easy, breathing on one side only. (My left side isn't flat as it should be yet, so when I breathe there, every third, it throws my balance off, I kick to correct that and that makes me winded).
Currently I'm breathing every right side stroke. But, sometimes, I can breath every 4th on my right only. Left side being my weak side if I try to breathe on the third.
My kick is pretty flat and when I'm doing good, balanced well, I can feel the natural kick from my hips. If I'm getting tired or off balance I feel my quads kicking. I'm keeping elbows up, getting better at "anchoring" some water and rolling over it.
I just want to endurance swim about an hour. I love the water, am willing to do the work and I just keep going back. Swim a lap, rest a lil, swim more.
But, I gotta get my head to stay flat, 1/2 goggle in/out.
So, anyway ,just really wanted to see if the Swim Smooth Videos have helped any of you and how it compares to TI.
Thanks!
Mark
Former Member
Mark, you say your butt dips?
Have you tried using a pull buoy to see how that affects your positioning? It helped me feel it out better. Maybe you might feel the head/torso position a little bit better. I'm not saying use buoys to workout...but get a feel for something.
I struggled with rolling to my weaker side to breather for a while. I found I needed a little more pressing the T and to stop pulling a too early.
I'm sure you'll get some good tips on this thread. Everyone has their own struggle and victory story. Keep at it.
Rich
I think Geochuck made some comments on the SwimSmooth videos on an older thread he started. The SS guy, Paul posted up some responses with a couple of website/discussion links to his stuff. They were interesting. You might check those out for a little more info.
I try not to fall into one of the "camps". If I find something that makes me swim better, I'm not fussy where it comes from. I'm shameless...I'll steal ideas from anyone. Good luck.
Hi Mark,
I know nothing about Swim Smooth videos, but if at all possible, spend your money on a new coach; keep searching, or join a USMS team and talk to the coach there. And I do know that many good swimmers can feel honored to help another swimmer struggling so don't hesitate to ask for their help, even on a limited basis. I suppose videos are better than nothing, but you truly need another person with you as you pointed out.
I sure wish you could have your swimming videotaped and put on YouTube and let some of us here take a look; a picture is worth a thousand words. I agree that fast kicking does take oxygen away from us and I would venture to bet that if you could develop a solid, 2-beat kick it may help with the sinking problem. Maybe your stroke is too slow thus allowing the legs to drop. One question: exactly where in your stroke do your legs sink? If we knew that, it may help with some suggestions.
donna
Hi Mid
First off gotta say great avitar! My swimming technique was helped immensely by regular visits to and thorough reading of the H2Oswims website and the many well written and interesting articles by coach Emmet Hines.You may find the information on front quadrant swimming to be helpful. I am a believer in this very sound technique. I have read the
TI book and found it helpful. Many sources usually leads to much improvement. Best of luck in your search for an efficient stroke. Larry
