Even though swimming is the closest thing to a perfect exercise you can name, too few people experience its full benefits. That's because most find themselves fighting to stay afloat, struggling for air, and feeling exhausted after just a lap or two, all of which makes this perfect exercise frustrating, laborious, and complicated. For the past fifteen years, veteran swim coach Terry Laughlin has been teaching adults how to swim better - and enjoy it more - by using his simple and original techniques. Laughlin turns traditional swimming beliefs inside out as he explains that it's technique - not athletic ability - that makes a strong swimmer. Laughlin teaches 'Fishlike Swimming,' focusing on slipping through the water rather than using muscle to overpower it. The key is working with the water, not against it - learning to swim ever faster and farther without losing a sense of flow, grace, economy, and balance.
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David Marsh 1996, 2000, and 2004 United States Olympic Coach and Head Coach, Auburn University (2003 NCAA Men's and Women's champions) "Total Immersion" can help anyone learn to be a better swimmer, regardless of ability. Terry Laughlin makes an improved stroke simple for the novice, yet I've seen his methods work for elite swimmers, too.
From the Author
Master swimming as an art before training for it as a sport.
I've been swimming (in training and competition) for 32 years, since the age of 15, and coaching for 26 years. In particular, I've spent the last 10 years intensively teaching improvement-minded adult swimmers in weekend workshops. I've distilled all those experiences into the guidance included in this book. If I had one goal in mind in writing this it was to make Total Immersion the most immediately useful how-to book available for swimmers. My promise to my readers is that I'll provide real, practical, detailed, complete and -- most of all -- clear and simple how-to information. I've been delighted to hear from so many readers that this book has been their favorite road map to achieving greater satisfaction with their swimming than they had thought possible. Happy laps, Terry Laughlin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
I've been swimming (in training and competition) for 32 years, since the age of 15, and coaching for 26 years. In particular, I've spent the last 10 years intensively teaching improvement-minded adult swimmers in weekend workshops. I've distilled all those experiences into the guidance included in this book. If I had one goal in mind in writing this it was to make Total Immersion the most immediately useful how-to book available for swimmers. My promise to my readers is that I'll provide real, practical, detailed, complete and -- most of all -- clear and simple how-to information. I've been delighted to hear from so many readers that this book has been their favorite road map to achieving greater satisfaction with their swimming than they had thought possible. Happy laps, Terry Laughlin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
58 of 63 people found the following review helpful
By a reviewer
Format:Paperback
I'm not a big swimmer, but I heard so much about this book that I had to check it out- and I'm glad I did. This book will save a lot of people who are trying to learn to swim better a lot of time. Here's why:
-the book concentrates on swimming technique, correct position, and how you're suppose to feel in the water
-the book gives you drills to reinforce the most efficient way to swim
-the book is very scientific and the info is based on hydrodynamics
The book covers a lot of ground, but the authors writing style makes is go by quickly (at least it did for me). The pictures were good and I thought the explanations of the techniques and the "why" behind them was very understandable. Not sure about the rotator cuff routine in Chapter 16 though- it's kinda long and I'm not sure if some of the exercises like the reverse biceps curl is really necessary (rec. Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff for swimmers who have shoulder issues).
In conclusion, I found the book very enlightening and recommend it to anyone (young OR old) who wants to learn how to swim more efficiently by learning the correct swimming techniques. The author obviously loves swimming and has brought all his years of experience and research into one handy resource.
-the book concentrates on swimming technique, correct position, and how you're suppose to feel in the water
-the book gives you drills to reinforce the most efficient way to swim
-the book is very scientific and the info is based on hydrodynamics
The book covers a lot of ground, but the authors writing style makes is go by quickly (at least it did for me). The pictures were good and I thought the explanations of the techniques and the "why" behind them was very understandable. Not sure about the rotator cuff routine in Chapter 16 though- it's kinda long and I'm not sure if some of the exercises like the reverse biceps curl is really necessary (rec. Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff for swimmers who have shoulder issues).
In conclusion, I found the book very enlightening and recommend it to anyone (young OR old) who wants to learn how to swim more efficiently by learning the correct swimming techniques. The author obviously loves swimming and has brought all his years of experience and research into one handy resource.
69 of 76 people found the following review helpful
By Nicodemus
Format:Paperback
Following the advice of another Amazon reviewer, I took a look at this in my local bookshop before buying. I was intrigued enough to buy it - but have since discovered that there is a more recent book that supercedes this one. That book is called "Extraordinary Swimming for Every Body". I wish I had known before I bought this one!
There is also more than one TI DVD, likewise some more recent than others. I believe the latest is "Easy Freestyle: 21st Century Techniques"
UPDATE - since I wrote my original review I have done a TI workshop which was absolutely facntastic. I am revising some of my comments below in light of what I have learned. If possible I would also amend my rating to THREE OR FOUR STARS - but it seems I can't edit that part of the review.
Firstly, you will probably NOT be able to teach yourself the TI approach to swimming just by reading this book. What the book provides primarily is background information that is very useful as a COMPANION to the DVD. (Chapters 1-7)
The key point is that because water is so much denser than air, the secret to fast swimming is efficient swimming rather than more effort. We all know this intellectually; but only serious swimmers actually act upon it.
There are some interesting scientific facts along the way.
Chapters 9-16 are about training for races, fitness etc. Most of this was of little interest to me - I just want to learn efficient technique.
Which just leaves Chapter 8. This is a series of deceptively simple drills that are designed to teach efficient swimming starting from scratch. And this is what intrigued me enough to buy the book. I wanted to be one of those guys cruising past with no effort and no splashes. (My crawl was not bad, but you know the people I mean - they are in a different league).
However, the exercises are much easier to understand by watching the DVD.
So my recommendation is buy the book for the background concepts, and buy the DVD to see how to do the exercises.
But ideally you need hands-on tuition. The TI approach is radically different from other styles of swim coaching - so you might need help to unlearn existing habits & assumptions
There is also more than one TI DVD, likewise some more recent than others. I believe the latest is "Easy Freestyle: 21st Century Techniques"
UPDATE - since I wrote my original review I have done a TI workshop which was absolutely facntastic. I am revising some of my comments below in light of what I have learned. If possible I would also amend my rating to THREE OR FOUR STARS - but it seems I can't edit that part of the review.
Firstly, you will probably NOT be able to teach yourself the TI approach to swimming just by reading this book. What the book provides primarily is background information that is very useful as a COMPANION to the DVD. (Chapters 1-7)
The key point is that because water is so much denser than air, the secret to fast swimming is efficient swimming rather than more effort. We all know this intellectually; but only serious swimmers actually act upon it.
There are some interesting scientific facts along the way.
Chapters 9-16 are about training for races, fitness etc. Most of this was of little interest to me - I just want to learn efficient technique.
Which just leaves Chapter 8. This is a series of deceptively simple drills that are designed to teach efficient swimming starting from scratch. And this is what intrigued me enough to buy the book. I wanted to be one of those guys cruising past with no effort and no splashes. (My crawl was not bad, but you know the people I mean - they are in a different league).
However, the exercises are much easier to understand by watching the DVD.
So my recommendation is buy the book for the background concepts, and buy the DVD to see how to do the exercises.
But ideally you need hands-on tuition. The TI approach is radically different from other styles of swim coaching - so you might need help to unlearn existing habits & assumptions
51 of 58 people found the following review helpful
By Jim
Format:Paperback
And I wondered why it was getting harder. Was I getting older (yes), fatter (yes), and slower (yes)?
After reading this book I could see what I was doing wrong. But more importantly I could feel what I was doing wrong! The book made me think about body postioning during laps.
Previously, I had put my declining speed and stamina down to an "off" day. Now I could see that my laziness in stroke construction was causing me to work much harder than I should.
I am now doing the drills and feel much happier in the water.
Because I have had to relearn the correct way after swimming so badly for so long, my muscle memory is taking some time to readjust. For this the sensory skill practice is invaluable; it helps to stay focussed on the drills.
Some state that the book is overly wordy. I think this is a necessary evil when teaching swim technique. The changes need to be incremental. Laughlin overlays the incremental changes in a way that is digestable.
This book only covers front crawl and its cousin backstroke. I look forward to another title covering butterfly and breastroke.
After reading this book I could see what I was doing wrong. But more importantly I could feel what I was doing wrong! The book made me think about body postioning during laps.
Previously, I had put my declining speed and stamina down to an "off" day. Now I could see that my laziness in stroke construction was causing me to work much harder than I should.
I am now doing the drills and feel much happier in the water.
Because I have had to relearn the correct way after swimming so badly for so long, my muscle memory is taking some time to readjust. For this the sensory skill practice is invaluable; it helps to stay focussed on the drills.
Some state that the book is overly wordy. I think this is a necessary evil when teaching swim technique. The changes need to be incremental. Laughlin overlays the incremental changes in a way that is digestable.
This book only covers front crawl and its cousin backstroke. I look forward to another title covering butterfly and breastroke.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Valuable advise but too verbose
The Total Immersion system works and will improve your swimming.
Unfortunately, in typical American style, the book is verbose, and full of unnecessary anecdotes. Read more
Unfortunately, in typical American style, the book is verbose, and full of unnecessary anecdotes. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ian Townsend
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Swimming revolution.
Fellow swimmers, deciding to place themselves in the fast lane alongside me, proceeding to kick and pull their way up and down the pool, are regularly filled with envy and... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Livesinflipflops
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
This book has totally changed the way that I swim.
I now swim faster and use less energy swimming has now become a pleasure instead of a chore.
I now swim faster and use less energy swimming has now become a pleasure instead of a chore.
Published 4 months ago by Ron Walters
3.0 out of 5 stars
You ideally need the DVD as well
Interesting and would love to be able to put it in practice but not easy in a public pool or the sea so I think you need to have lessons and have the DVD. Read more
Published 5 months ago by debsway
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent book
I was a breaststroke only type. The book was recommended by a swimmer I used to watch going effortlessly up and down the pool when he isn't doing open water swimming. Read more
Published 6 months ago by D J Shattock
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good but technical
This is taking a few reads..as an individual swimmer I am having to slowly learn what I am doing wrong, understand what I need to do and then apply it. Read more
Published 6 months ago by 4boys
4.0 out of 5 stars
Educational for Regular Swimmers
This is a good book for regular swimmers. The description of the total immersion technique is very educational and a true eye opener. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Charles Wahab
3.0 out of 5 stars
Was it the book or was it me?
No one would deny that swimming is something that is very difficult to learn as an adult and that it is something that is even more difficult to learn from a book. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Rufus
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding contribution to learning to swim
8 stars. I can't believe it. I can swim, I can swim. And with no effort. Swim a mile? No problem. I used to struggle to swim one length. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Risicus
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very useful if you have no DVD player
For those who have no DVD player this book explains well how to learn or improve freestyle (front crawl) swimming. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Harald
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