I know that you're there... and you have something to say.
Lets' hear it.
But seriously. Do Fitness and Lap Swimmers really read this Forum?
I wish they did, but I doubt they see the potential.
Fitness and Lap Swimmers, I'm a masters swim coach.
I watch your lanes - oh maybe 15-20% of the time I coach the masters lanes.
I see those of you lurking on the side lanes listening to the sets - and to the stroke instruction...
Watching swimmers underwater for stroke demonstrations.
Its' ok - and a really good thing.
A decent masters swim coach knows how to recruit right out of those lap swimming lanes.
Ahelee
P.S. I loved reading the thread, "As an outsider to harcore swimming..."
Finally some swimmers after my own heart.
Except that I like to recruit lap swimmers to our program!
My larger point is that the line between competitive and "fitness" swimming (I don't really like that label) is sometimes blurred, particularly when it comes to what workouts are suitable for which group.
I (often with Laura) coach on a fairly regular basis...in fact just finished a "hell week" which I posted all the workouts on this site.
The group has a couple of folks who compete in swim meets (Patrick who's laying around getting fat & last Saturday Dickson showed up) but the vast majority are "fitness" swimmers and triathletes.
This past week's workouts had a LOT of stroke work including one day with 6 x 400IM's (we broke them up) and I'm proud to say that the "fitness" crowd actually did all of the workouts...and even commented on how they rarely get a chance to do a lot of stroke work and really enjoyed it.
My point being that Chris nails it...whether you "compete" or not the best way to improve ones fitness level is to particpate in workouts that vary your routine, up the intensity and ideally offer feedback on improving technique.
My larger point is that the line between competitive and "fitness" swimming (I don't really like that label) is sometimes blurred, particularly when it comes to what workouts are suitable for which group.
I (often with Laura) coach on a fairly regular basis...in fact just finished a "hell week" which I posted all the workouts on this site.
The group has a couple of folks who compete in swim meets (Patrick who's laying around getting fat & last Saturday Dickson showed up) but the vast majority are "fitness" swimmers and triathletes.
This past week's workouts had a LOT of stroke work including one day with 6 x 400IM's (we broke them up) and I'm proud to say that the "fitness" crowd actually did all of the workouts...and even commented on how they rarely get a chance to do a lot of stroke work and really enjoyed it.
My point being that Chris nails it...whether you "compete" or not the best way to improve ones fitness level is to particpate in workouts that vary your routine, up the intensity and ideally offer feedback on improving technique.
