Well, that's a bit of a shame...

My $.02 on the workouts being for USMS members only is this...USMS is paying me (and the other coaches) each a stipend for posting workouts. Even though I don't need to use it often -- I have a number of good coaches in my area -- I think it is a great resource, particularly for those who train on their own, or for other coaches to get ideas. I think a strong case can be made that USMS coaches are its most valuable asset. I don't see why anyone should have a problem with paying professional coaches for their expertise. As others have said, it is a great value.

Dear SLID, Recognize that the US Masters Swimmers are footing the bill to have these workouts presented by the Coach's, so it's only appropriate that all pay their fair share. However, there is a very good program at a fantastic price that you may be interested in. Jacki Hirsty (One of the Coaches) has made a DVD that I believe would clearly meet your needs AND it is only $20. It is a steal, so you might consider this option. The Best Regina:bliss::bliss

Hi, it's really sad that the workouts are now only for usms-members available. The workouts had been a great inspiration for my own training. And besides this – it's always interesting to see how other swimmers and coaches work. Therefore it is a pity to close the workouts for non-members. Does anybody know whether someone like me – german (sorry for my english ;-)) – will have the opportunity to join the usms? greetings from germany

Fort raises a good point. Still plenty of free advice and workouts are posted regularly. Nate McBride posted workout database at one time which includes thousands of workouts (for free) www.swimwestside.com/.../wsscworkoutssearch.html. And for more free stuff...there is also probably a Susan Komen 5K "Race for the Cure" coming up in everybody's neighborhood; you could probably run bandit as I'm sure nobody would notice...I mean they are public roads... That site is awesome. Thanks. Also,

Thanks guys. I would also say check out what Dean Osterloh has done with Dynoswim's online workout database which is also free. I can not speak for Dean but I wanted to make a free workout database for a long time primarily because I couldn't believe there were workout sites that charged money. My $.02 on the workouts being for USMS members only is this...USMS is paying me (and the other coaches) each a stipend for posting workouts. Mine happens to be a distance-focused program this time around (in 2004 I did it as more of a mixed/mid-distance program). The money to pay for me, and the other coaches, doing this has to come from some place (e.g. the USMS membership dollars) and so therefore the two should be tied together in at least that respect. But I also would point out that if people don't like what you are receiving as a member (e.g. a coached workout program like the four offered), you are, in effect, now paying for them so you should be vocal about that. I think the argument over whether or not to be a member is decided since that's the way it is. Now, as members, decide if its a program you think is worthy. Flame away...if necessary.

When I first got back in the water, I swam by myself until I felt "ready" to swim with our local team. I found this site, and used the free workouts and forum extensively. Eventually, I joined USMS before I was required to as a condition of team membership or competition because I wanted to help pay for the value I was getting here for free. It seems like every other day there is a post like this one to the forum: Hello everyone, I am new to this website, but not to the world of swimming. I have been swimming most of my life save the past three years due to medical problems and am trying to get back into the sport. I would love to be able to join a masters team and really start working again but I am unable to do so because of school. I am in my last semester of undergraduate study and dont have the time needed to join a team. However I still wish to not just sit around all semester when I have access to a pool and a gym. I've been trying to go to the pool 3-5 days a week but when I go, I generally just swim for 45-90 minutes and dont really do anything special in terms of how I swim. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on specific workouts or places I should look to build up a routine. I really would love to get back into the competitive side of swimming once again and while I wont be able to do it for a couple months, I would love to train as hard as possible. Thanks for any advice. -Fry It seems to me that it might be in our best interest to post a limited amount of information targeted to swimmers just getting back in -- perhaps 6 months or so of recycled workouts culled from the archives, and separated and tailored to beginner, intermediate, and former competitive swimmers -- to try and set the hook. The teaser is that if they join USMS they can get all the "newest, most up-to-date, and best" workouts emailed to them for free. Sure, some cheapskates will use the same 6 month plan over and over, but there are lots of free workouts out there for the Google-savvy, so I really don't think we'd be giving anything away.

If someone knows how swimmers outside the U.S. can register with USMS, would you please post the info here? The electronic registration on this site is based on Zip Code and does not work with foreign postal codes. I think this will help many. Thanks.

Thanks guys. I would also say check out what Dean Osterloh has done with Dynoswim's online workout database which is also free. I can not speak for Dean but I wanted to make a free workout database for a long time primarily because I couldn't believe there were workout sites that charged money. My $.02 on the workouts being for USMS members only is this...USMS is paying me (and the other coaches) each a stipend for posting workouts. Mine happens to be a distance-focused program this time around (in 2004 I did it as more of a mixed/mid-distance program). The money to pay for me, and the other coaches, doing this has to come from some place (e.g. the USMS membership dollars) and so therefore the two should be tied together in at least that respect. But I also would point out that if people don't like what you are receiving as a member (e.g. a coached workout program like the four offered), you are, in effect, now paying for them so you should be vocal about that. I think the argument over whether or not to be a member is decided since that's the way it is. Now, as members, decide if its a program you think is worthy. Flame away...if necessary. Thanks, everyone, for your responses, best summed up by Nate's I would say. It's not a big deal, since all I would actually need to do is take the trouble to sign up. (I'll think about this.) Like most users of the coaches' workouts, I probably know enough to put together my own workouts. And as far as following a program goes, I only do the workouts (and the elements thereof) that I fancy the look of anyway. I hope I've not started a big argument or anything, it's .... just a bit of a shame, that's all.

How does one go about paying to view the great workouts that were available if one lives outside the US? I have been an ardent viewer of these workouts over the last couple of years. I am a fitness swimmer and not a registered swimmer. Please advise! Thanks

Hi Mona, I just sent an inquiry to main office/nerve center of USMS with a request for information, and forwarded your post. Here is the email address: info@usms.org You can select "unattached" for a workout team. I do not know what to do about the state, however, or where to send a check, etc. We do have Canadians who participate, so however they register should work for Europe and GB as well. Thank you for persisting! I hope everything will be clarified soon. :) VB