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Product Description
Review
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.
Product Description
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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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 58 people found the following review helpful
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.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I returned to swimming 8 months ago after a long break, and wanted to improve my front crawl technique, so bought Terry Laughlin's "Total Immersion". I've practiced almost daily and this book has definitely helped quite a bit.
There are 3 main techniques explained here which are key to swimming front crawl well; they are : balancing your body correctly, swimming long ie. with your arm extended and swimming on your side. Why these techniques improve your front crawl swimming is explained very well. Indeed the whole book is very readable and quite entertaining.
Step by step drills are given in chapter 8, to teach you how to progress to the complete stroke, which you may or may not want to follow. I personally didn't, but kept reading over the chapter to compare it to what I was doing in the pool. The book also recommends buying the accompanying DVD for the book. I didn't do this either as I found plenty of related Total Immersion video clips on the Internet.
Overall then, I found the book enjoyable and useful for improving my stroke. My only criticism is that there is very little about correct breathing in front crawl, which is actually quite important to get your stroke right. But again, there is plenty on that aspect of swimming on the Internet, so it isn't really a problem.
The only other thing I'd like to point out is that while the Total Immersion method is very well explained, and clearly works, there is a noticeable difference between it and competitive front crawl swimming. Watch some videos online of say Michael Phelps or Ian Thorpe and it'll be obvious that their arm stroke is different ie. the arm does not sink after entry. So, Total Immersion is not for speed. It is designed to teach relaxed, efficient swimming which is useful for say long distance swimming.
To sum up then, if you want to improve your swimming, I would definitely recommend this book. But at some point I think you will want to seek out other sources too eg. swimming websites online, to get a full overview of the front crawl stroke.
There are 3 main techniques explained here which are key to swimming front crawl well; they are : balancing your body correctly, swimming long ie. with your arm extended and swimming on your side. Why these techniques improve your front crawl swimming is explained very well. Indeed the whole book is very readable and quite entertaining.
Step by step drills are given in chapter 8, to teach you how to progress to the complete stroke, which you may or may not want to follow. I personally didn't, but kept reading over the chapter to compare it to what I was doing in the pool. The book also recommends buying the accompanying DVD for the book. I didn't do this either as I found plenty of related Total Immersion video clips on the Internet.
Overall then, I found the book enjoyable and useful for improving my stroke. My only criticism is that there is very little about correct breathing in front crawl, which is actually quite important to get your stroke right. But again, there is plenty on that aspect of swimming on the Internet, so it isn't really a problem.
The only other thing I'd like to point out is that while the Total Immersion method is very well explained, and clearly works, there is a noticeable difference between it and competitive front crawl swimming. Watch some videos online of say Michael Phelps or Ian Thorpe and it'll be obvious that their arm stroke is different ie. the arm does not sink after entry. So, Total Immersion is not for speed. It is designed to teach relaxed, efficient swimming which is useful for say long distance swimming.
To sum up then, if you want to improve your swimming, I would definitely recommend this book. But at some point I think you will want to seek out other sources too eg. swimming websites online, to get a full overview of the front crawl stroke.
57 of 63 people found the following review helpful
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
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great book!
Haven't stopped reading since the book arrived, great learning for long distance swimmers, can recommend this product to every triathlete!
Published 1 month ago by Doug
Improved performance guaranteed
I've only read the first 5 of 15 chapters but already this book has transformed my swimming. I come from a multi-sports background (running, cycling, skiing, rowing, martial arts,... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Supamonkey
A great book to improve swimming technique
This is a great book if you want to improve your swimming technique. The drills are described well. It can be a little long winded in parts but overall explains very well why... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gwen Francis
Too much waffle
There is way too much repetition and waffle.
The introductory chapters are also very condescending and frankly are insulting to coaches. Read more
The introductory chapters are also very condescending and frankly are insulting to coaches. Read more
Published 5 months ago by K. Morice
Total Immersion
First class condition & delivery. The book seems to be a good method and it hope will help me a lot. Just got to get in the pool and try it now!!!
Published 7 months ago by Rod
Learn to swim - properly
6 years ago I couldn't swim, after a friend gave me this book I read it all within 3 days and then took it to the pool early every morning to practice the drills and techniques! Read more
Published 8 months ago by K. M. Dandy
Great book
I am still enjoying working through the drills and exercises in this great book as a windsurfer my swimming had always been about survival. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Roninsteel
Absolutely must read!
If you've ever had trouble swimming freestyle, well look no further! This book and the recommended dvd is the only thing you need to have to learn how to swim easily, free and with... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Jonatan Nielsen
Crawling: His speciality technique
THE MOST LONGWINDED BOOK I HAVE EVER READ,
He just crawls through the subject with endless preambles, you get your first practical advice on page 112. Read more
He just crawls through the subject with endless preambles, you get your first practical advice on page 112. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Rynnem
From 50m to 500m in just one session
It really is true.
Somehow frontcrawl seemed just the simplest thing as a child. 7 weeks ago when I got in the pool to start training for my first triathlon I swallowed... Read more
Somehow frontcrawl seemed just the simplest thing as a child. 7 weeks ago when I got in the pool to start training for my first triathlon I swallowed... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Alexia Mitton
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