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Total Immersion: Revolutionary Way to Swim Better and Faster (Paperback)

by Terry Laughlin (Author), John Delves (Author)

4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (45 customer reviews)

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Product details

Paperback: 286 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster; illustrated edition edition (6 Jan 1997)
Language English
ISBN-10: 068481885X
ISBN-13: 978-0684818856
Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 18.5 x 1.8 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (45 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 365,269 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in this category:
#15 in Books > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Fitness & Exercise > Swimming

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Product Description

A self-teaching programme for all levels. Step-by-step skill drills are provided which include how to: improve strokes to speed up conditioning; eliminate drag and create more propulsion with less energy; burn off fat through swimming; and use dry-land exercises to improve results in the water.

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

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Customer Reviews

45 Reviews

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (45 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better Technique = Better Swimming, 29 Sep 2008

By	a reviewer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Total Immersion: The Revolutionary Way to Swim Better, Faster and Easier (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.

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21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Superceded by another book & DVD by same author, 1 Feb 2009

By	Nicodemus (Cheltenham) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Total Immersion: The Revolutionary Way to Swim Better, Faster and Easier (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

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49 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I cut 4 strokes of my front crawl upon the first day, 19 April 2001

By A Customer

I have been training for about 2 years now, and although getting fitter, I just was not getting any faster lately. I noticed that certain people managed to swim a lot faster while putting in what appeared to be a lot less effort. This book confirmed EXACTLY what I had been doing wrong and how I should correct my stroke. It is ideal for the keen (intermediate) swimmer, who wants to develop their technique and enjoy their swimming a lot more.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Only 1/2 way through but got to recommend it NOW!
I've tried other books and DVDs with some progress but, as my tri club colleagues will testify, not enough. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Must TRI harder

2.0 out of 5 stars dull dull dull
despite it being recommended to me...if you want to learn to swim get in the water.

Published 1 month ago by Sean Mullin

5.0 out of 5 stars A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT
Firstly, I am a head above the water type of swimmer. I also concentrate on breast stroke. Beast Stroke is only discussed briefly throughout the book in which the author is... Read more

Published 2 months ago by ClaireVictoria

5.0 out of 5 stars Total Immersion
Excellent book with several innovative ideas. I bought this book for my daughter who is a triathlete. Read more

Published 3 months ago by fordiebobs

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful book for teaching a far more effective front crawl technique
This book teaches front crawl, using a new, highly structured and technical method, which is easy to learn, fun and highly effective. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Daniel Bor

5.0 out of 5 stars makes you think about your swimming style
I had been training for a few months for a triathlon, but not seeming to improve on my swimming, a magazine article suggested this book. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Robin Hawkins

3.0 out of 5 stars Total immersion too much theory
Dear all,
I think total immersion is good but the author really beats his own drum like a hell. Read more

Published 8 months ago by V. Boyalakuntla

4.0 out of 5 stars Total Immersion
`Total immersion' offers a new way of looking at swimming and coaching. You aren't guided through endless strength and speed drills, but rather you are shown how more efficient... Read more

Published 8 months ago by Spider Monkey

4.0 out of 5 stars Curate's egg
A curate's egg of a book, i.e. good in parts.

The bad part is the writing style and the "American" way of dressing everything up in unjustified "WOW". Read more

Published 9 months ago by Libra

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn to love the water and do it with ease
Learn to love the water and do it with ease

A couple of years ago I joined the gym against my better judgement. Read more

Published 10 months ago by Peter Wade

› See all 45 customer reviews...

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