Editorial Review

Masters swimmer and acclaimed coach Terry Laughlin has taught thousands to swim more efficiently in the workshops he has given across the United States. In his book Laughlin details simple, step-by-step drills emphasizing the importance of technique and an innovative workout regimen. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Cheap
Not a single photo ! Just a few sketches and a lot of talk. Save your money.

Misleading "concept"
This book describes a concept which is not revolutionary at all, lacks a comprehensive concept and good illustrations. The first chapters lead the reader redundantly through the biophysics and biomechanics of swimming bodies and quite extensively, the development of TI. Unfortunately, it sounds more like self-adulation and is excessively descriptive. The impatient reader will skip these chapters, asking himself where the swimming drills are. Thus, coming to real swimming, this book describes a good approach by teaching balance and breaking down a stroke into single sequence drills. However, if the reader does some internet search he will get these drills for free. Additionally, most internet pages provide video-clips. The reader may enjoy the drills up to the point where he is ready for real swimming. And then, the reader has to realize that this concept lacks drills for breathing and flip-turns! In summary, this book does not provide a comprehensive concept of swimming lacking essential techniques and good illustrations. Furthermore, the approach is not revolutionary if you research the "evolution" of modern swimming.

Improved my swimming significantly
The advice given in this book is very useful. It significantly reduced my stroke count. The drills are clearly explained as are the reasons why they improve your speed in the pool. It also has examples and stories that are inspiring. It was well worth my time and money ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Swimming    5. Swimming And Diving    6. Training    7. Sports & Recreation / General    8. Swimming & diving   

Reviews (5)

GREAT SWIMMING BOOK
This book is an excellent training guide for the swimmer at any level.I have been swimming for many years and after reading this book I have taken my skills to a higher level.I feel much stronger in the pool and my endurance has really increased.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to anyone who loves to swim.

unbeatable
Of all the training books out there today, this is the only one i have seen that really speaks to the swimmer specifically!This is an invaluable resource for any swimmer or coach.I would recommend this to the novice swimmer or a pro. Two thumbs up!

A Real Splash!!
I found that this book increased my speed, strength, and endurance.Often times, by increasing strenght, swimmers lose efficiency in their strokes.I found that this book did a great job increasing stroke power, while reiterating the need to maintain stroke efficiency.A GREAT BUY! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding & Weight Training    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Sports & Recreation / Bodybuilding & Weight Training    5. Sports & Recreation / Swimming    6. Sports & Recreation / Training    7. Swimming    8. Training    9. Athletic Training And Conditioning    10. Exercise    11. Health & Fitness    12. Physical education and training   

Reviews (5)

Good variety for your workouts
I've been fitness swimming for several decades which usually means go to pool, swim a mile. I recently started working through the workouts in this book with some triathlon friends. Still manage to get my mile but every day takes a different focus, my swimming has improved and I enjoy it more. Each page is something fresh and different. While the pages are waterproof, you do need to spend a few minutes and wipe EVERY page dry when you get home, not a big deal. Or stick the book in a ziplock bag and avoid the wet pages problem in the first place.
Great Training Tool
I have been using this book now for 2 months and I have enjoyed the variations in the works that I get each time I go to the pool, it can not replace the value of a coach, but as a training tool it can't be beat.
A good tool, but with one serious flaw..
The workouts and the book overall are good, and for the self-coached athlete, much better than trying to think up a workout every day.There are two main sets for each workout, one longer than the other, but they could use more differentiation - one may be 2600 meters and the other 2300 meters.It should be more like 2600 and 1900.Or slip a third option in the middle.Of course, if you are reasonably experienced, it's not had to extrapolate whatever distance you plan to do for the day.Read more

Subjects:  1. Sports    2. Sports & Recreation    3. Swimming    4. Training    5. Triathlon    6. Multidiscipline sports    7. Swimming & diving   

Reviews (10)

The Fit Swimmer: 120 workouts and Training Tips
This book has really helped me improve and vary my workouts and make the masters swim class I teach more interesting.

A great training guide for anyone
Like many triathletes I had a bit of swimming in my background when I started racing, but certainly not enough to be competitive.I occasionally swam with organized groups but my consultant travel schedule made sure that was infrequent.I got a copy of The Fit Swimmer, read it cover to cover and made up about a dozen workouts from the suggested routines.The section on open water racing was particularly valuable.While training diligence was definitely part of it, this book was the #1 resource for me in competitively placing in events ranging from local races to National and Ironman distances.Ms. Brems meets 2 imperatives: she explains things simply and she gives you the tools you need to progress from a relative novice to a competitive swimmer.Like a craftsman and apprentice, she leaves it up to the reader to figure out how to best use the extensive toolset in the book.I found that creating about a dozen workouts on 3x5 cards from her suggested routines and rotating them did the trick (store them in a ziploc bag for use poolside).You can experiment with different routines to test how your body responds.I now coach people on an occasional basis, and strongly encourage each of them to read the book before we start.

Indispensable for first (and beyond) year swim coaches
Swimming is one of those curious beasts of the American atheticsports scene: vast multitudes participate (recreational, summer, competitive, etc.), but very few really know how to improve.As in other sports, many parents wind up coaching as their children get involved in swimming as there are too few coaches available.There is much to learn!Stroke technique, using the clock, training the aerobic and non-aerobic energy systems, how to author and conduct a productive and interesting workout, etc.Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Physical fitness    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Swimming    6. Swimming And Diving    7. Training    8. Health & Fitness / Exercise    9. Swimming & diving   

Reviews (6)

Great visual aids
I couldn't put this book down!Chocked full of color photos makes this pleasing to use and wonderful to leaf through for ideas and an excellent reference. A good reminder of sound, basic training principles. A great addition to any library for dressage, hunter or jumper riders.

A must have - inspirational!
I just love this book. I've never been so inspired to make a trip to Home Depot - I couldn't wait to build my own cavalletti and get out there and give it a try. Directions for building your own can be found here: www.texashorsemansdirectory.com/thdcav.htm This book provides an excellent introduction to working with cavalletti and is a must have for the English rider. Easy to read, well illustrated, great schooling plans and the gymnastic jumping section at the end is an added bonus. FUN, FUN, FUN!

Cavalletti for everyone
I'm not a brave jumper and this book has really encouraged me to incorporate more ground poles and cavalletti into my regular training regime.Read more

Subjects:  1. Equestrian    2. Horses - Riding    3. Horses - Showing/Training    4. Pets    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Swimming    7. Pets / Horses / Care   

Reviews (9)

Author Comment
Mr. Zohar is correct that The Waterproof Coach is more helpful to the beginning swimmer or triathlete than to the competitive swimmer.The workouts are mostly freestyle because most fitness swimmers are not proficient in the other strokes.The book is a bit pricey at $29.95 but that is because it is printed on completely waterproof paper. The paper costs three times as much as regular paper.In addition, the workout pages are cut into thirds so that the swimmer can mix and match workouts.This is an expensive part of the manufacturing process.Most of the fitness swimmers and triathletes who have purchased the book since 1997 have been happy with it.

A Waste of Money
In all fairness, I must begin by stating that I am not a triathlete. I am a swimmer.There's a difference. Maybe that's the reason I expected a book that would supply me with some new training ideas. Nada! This book offers the most basic sessions imaginable. Any swimmer can think up better sessions. In fact, you can freely download better training sessions from various internet sites. No drills to speak of in the book. Also, it is assumed that the reader is only swimming freestyle, so there is no stroke training. Lastly, the price is high - $30!
A must-have poolside companion
Let's preface this review with the fact that I'm a neophyte "fitness swimmer" . . I've swam before, but only recently had begun swimming for fitness.This book is exactly what I was looking for . .an easy-to-use book with a great variety of workouts.Because it is waterproof (as the title suggests), I can take it to the pool with me to instantly refer to its contents.Sure, if you're a Master's swimmer, or have swam competetively with a coach, this book may be superfluous.But for the rest of us, it's wonderful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Health/Fitness    2. Sports & Recreation / Swimming    3. Sports & Recreation / Training    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Exercise    6. Health & Fitness    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Swimming    9. Swimming And Diving    10. Training    11. Triathlon    12. Water Sports   

Subjects:  1. Sports    2. Sports & Recreation    3. Swimming    4. Training    5. Swimming & diving   

Reviews (2)

Exactly what I needed...
I've found other triathlon training books to be either too detailed, or too simplistic.This book really covers a lot of necessary information in an easy to follow manner for the beginner or intermediate athlete.

Good for beginners
This book had lots of good starter information.It gave me a good foundation to really start planning for my first triathlon.The training routines were well divided into fitness levels.This is a good starter book to build a knowledge base on. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cycling    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Swimming And Diving    5. Track & Field    6. Training    7. Triathlon   

Reviews (30)

Great motivating story that will inspire you do follow your dreams...
P.H. Mullen's Gold in the Water is a story that i first came into contact with a couple years ago.It is a fast paced true tale about average men trying to accomplish their goals.Reading the story over and over has helped me get through the hard times in and out of the pool.You don't need to be a swimmer to appreciate this story, but it does help.As I am in film school now, this is one story that can inspire more people then Remember the Titans with the Olympic power of Miracle.I encourage every athlete, Olympic fan, parent, or anyone who has a goal to accomplish to buy a copy of this book and one for their coach or mentor.It is a book to read over and over again.

Gold in the Water - Extraordinary Story!
As an athlete and the parent of a swimmer who's "Gold" is making it to the NCAA Championships one day, I believe this book is one of the few that truly captures the highs and lows of the swimming world.P.H. Mullen brought tears to my eyes with his compassionate, yet brutaly realistic retelling of SCA swimmers going for the gold.This story helps you appreciate what happens everyday with every swimmer who truly dedicates themselves to being the best! The emotional and physical sacrifices made by swimmers all over the U.S. are not paralled in very many other sports.This book should be read by every athlete who has a dream!

The Essence of Swimming
If you are not a swimmer already, you will want to be after completing this book.If you are a swimmer, then you will be thankful that someone has captured the essence of what those elite athletes at the other end of the pool do while you slog it out at 5 AM in the morning.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Olympics    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports - General    7. Swimmers    8. Swimming    9. Training    10. United States    11. Sports & Recreation / Swimming   

Reviews (39)

Runners
This is a book primarily for competitive runners. It's well written and interesting. It will also help anyone involved in a serious exercise program which relies on exercising at a certain percentage of heart rate--but not as much. And if you're neither,then it's not for you at all.

A Primer on the Use of Heart Rate Monitors for Sports Performance Improvements and general fitness - I Lost 200 lbs with it !!

Senior Runners, Read this Book
Senior runners can add years to their running lives with the training schedules in Parkers book. I am 61 and have been a moderately serious recreational runner for about 30 years. In my late 50's I had some abdominal surgery and was ordered to stop running for six months. After my recovery, I found that I just could not train the way I had before. I simply was not recovering from my training runs. I would do a nice comfortable 6 miler, and be exhausted for days. I went from mid a 40's 10K to being embarrassed to enter a race. I moped around for about a year, and somebody recommended training with a heart rate monitor. I bought a Polar S120 and Heart Monitor Training for the Compleat Idiot. I struggled with some of the counter intuitive ideas in the book, but figured I did not have much to lose. I am now back up to 30 miles a week and feeling pretty good. I don't know yet if this stuff is going to help me set new PRs, but it has gotten me back out on the road. If you other old geezers are starting to cut back your mileage, or getting injured more, spend the 10 bucks and give this a try. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Health/Fitness    2. Human Exercise Physiology    3. Life Sciences - Human Anatomy & Physiology    4. Running & Jogging    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Track & Field    7. Training    8. Family & Health    9. Swimming    10. Heart Rate Monitoring   

Subjects:  1. Athletic Training And Conditioning    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Swimming    5. Swimming And Diving    6. Track & Field    7. Training    8. Triathlon   

Editorial Review

This is the essential guide to a successful swimming program for fitness and competitive swimmers alike, filled with concise, practical advice on everything from basic stroke technique to advanced training programs.It will teach you how to identify your own stroke, kick, body position, and breathing flaws, and provides innovative drills to correct errors in form.Steve Tarpinian is an experienced swimming coach and an Ironman triathlete. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

excellent help
I spent a fortune on private, Total Immersion swim coaching and still couldn't swim more than 250 yd without a splitting headache.Didn't expect to get much from a book on swimming, but was desperate.It was great!I figured out exactly what I was doing wrong (kicking too fast), and went out and swam a mile.I'm not making this up!Would have given it five stars, but the pictures were not as clear as I'd hoped.Could have used more illustrations or photos, but directions were extremely clear.

I really struggled until I found this book
I wanted to learn how to swim better.I tried a few other books, worked hard, and got nowhere.I began to believe it was impossible to learn swimming from a book.Swimming books tend to be lists of little things which can make you swim better.These lists are addressed to people who already know how to swim and do not add up to instructions for a new swimmer.
Skillful, Exemplary
The brevity of this effective, perfectly edited swimming manual is sweet indeed.Not one word too long, it will teach you to swim better than you ever have before, teaching you the fundamentals of freestyle, improving your freestyle, and then using a goal-oriented drill program, developing the four main strokes of swimming (freestyle, breastroke, backstroke, and butterfly).It touches on strength training and the brief nutrion chapter, which basically says, if you eat garbage (empty calories) insteady of health food (fruits and vegetables) is better than a lot of popular nutrition books I've read.Practical, resourceful, and knowledgeable, the books is truly like having a coach right there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Sports    2. Sports & Recreation    3. Swimming    4. Swimming And Diving    5. Training    6. Rollerblading & in-line skating    7. Sports & Recreation / Swimming    8. Swimming & diving   

Reviews (2)

Swimming made easier
This book ROCKS!!As a former collegiate swimmer and current masters/triathlon coach, I use this book frequently and recommend it to anyone training for a triathlon or swimming race.The individual medley and stroke sets are especially helpful.I also like the workout plans.
workouts for a swimmer
Alot of good workouts for a middle of the road masters swimmer who needs the push when swimming alone. Only drawback is not enough variety in the free-style workouts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Swimming    5. Training    6. Sports & Recreation / Swimming   

Reviews (1)

Great book for beginners
I was someone thinking about taking up scuba diving and I wanted to find a book that would give me some basic information.This book fit the bill perfectly.I found it to be well written and attractively laid out.However, If your already a certified diver, this book won't tell you anything you don't already know.It could be gifted to friends your trying to convince to take up diving. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Deep diving    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Marine Life    4. Scuba & Snorkeling    5. Skin And Scuba Diving    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Swimming    9. Training    10. Sports & Recreation / Scuba & Snorkeling    11. Swimming & diving   

Reviews (19)

Actually more like a 10/10!!!
This book is amazing. I am a novice swimmer who falls at the very beginning of Hines' workout zones. I read the first half of the book in an hour, copied one of his FIRST workouts onto a sheet of paper, stuck it into a plastic sheet protector and headed off to the pool. My freestyle was a mess. I couldn't swim more than three lengths without my arms burning, my legs turning to rubber, etc. Now, i have shaved 4 strokes off one length and can get to the other side without feeling like I'm on my death throes. I never thought fitness books worked until I read this book. I'm a slightly overweight, slightly out of shape person who has never really been athletic and just quit smoking. But now, I go to the pool almost every day (after all, I'm only 20!!) and I can't WAIT to start out a new workout in Hines' book. I feel more confident, more in shape and more athletic.
Fitness Swimming
Overal, a good book that explains this style of swimming.The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because of the absence of illustrations. The use of photography to show the actual steps in the Total Immersion style of swimming would help significantly.I would recommend the DVD "Freestyle Made Easy" by Terry Laughlin as a critical companion to this book. The DVD clearly demonstrates the technique in a way that the book does not.

Good techniques, No frills
I have never written a book review before. But this book has been so incredibly helpful that I am compelled to write a review for it.
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Subjects:  1. Athletic Training And Conditioning    2. General    3. Physical fitness    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports Medicine    7. Swimming    8. Swimming And Diving    9. Training    10. Exercise & workout books    11. Fitness training    12. Swimming & diving   

Reviews (37)

Great for targeting young , especially male readers
This is one book you may actually get some tough, too cool, high school kids to read.It's quite well-written and realistic, dealing with some hard-hitting issues in an engaging manner.Highly recommended.

Timeless insights about friendship and life
I bought this book when I was still in high school, read it, then forgot all about it. I liked the story well enough, because it was about swimming. But years later while I was at university, I pulled this book out again and realized that there was much more to this story than swimming -- that, in fact, if there ever was a course on friendship, this book could be a primer. This is a Young Adults book, but even now that I'm out of university, I still like to read Stotan! once in a while to remind myself of what really matters in life.

Love, Friendship, and Perseverance
Stotan by the magnificent Chris Crutcher is a story about a group of friends who are aiming to win state in the 4 X 100 meter relay. Yet on the way they must concure their minds and bodies in order to succeed.Walker Dupree the captain of the swim team must decide between the beautiful Devnee and the girl next door Elaine, while Nortie must deal with his problem at home.Lion is forced to cope with loneliness after the loss of his family and Jeff needs to overtake life's greatest terror.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fiction    4. High schools    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Schools    7. Social Issues - Friendship    8. Social Issues - Physical & Emotional Abuse    9. Sports & Recreation - Water Sports    10. Swimming    11. Training    12. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Friendship   

Reviews (6)

A great beginning swimming book
I was looking for a book for me to use to help teach my kids (5&7) to swim the various strokes.This book is absolutely perfect.It breaks down each stroke into individual components and allows your child to practice each portion before putting all the pieces together and swim the "real" stroke.I was trying for weeks to help my 7 year old with her breast stroke, then I got this book and saw a dramatic improvement in just one lesson.This book is perfect for a parent or a coach to help teach beginning swimmers how to correctly swim each stroke.
Old fashioned
This books seems to be directed at beginning swimmers.It's too basic for more experienced swimmers.Addtionally, many of the drills seem a bit dated.I may be a little biased since I am an advocate of the the Total Immersion style of swimming.

Too Basic for the Common Coach
Though fundamentally strong, this book is extremely simplistic.Anyone who considers themselves a somewhat experienced coach should bypass this title and begin looking elsewhere for a decent drill guide/idea book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Sports    2. Sports & Recreation    3. Sports Medicine    4. Study and teaching    5. Swimming    6. Swimming And Diving    7. Training    8. Fitness training    9. Swimming & diving   

Subjects:  1. Sports & Recreation / Swimming    2. Sports & Recreation / Training    3. Immersion method   

Reviews (2)

Valuable Information Cut
I agree with Josh's review.This book has been condensed quited a bit and a lot of valuable information and illustrations were cut out.I prefer the older book as well.

Newer always better?
I am an American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor.Having used the old text, "Lifeguarding Today," I was somewhat disappointed in the way that many valuable skills had been cut from the new program. Nevertheless, this is still the best lifeguarding program around, and with new modules coming out all the time, the American Red Cross is sure to make up for the skills that they've removed from the new program. A+!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Lifeguards    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Swimming    5. Training of   

Reviews (9)

Swimming Faster
As a former swimming coach of elite swimmers, I consider this to be the gold standard on competitive swim training. It is the modern successor to Dr. Jim Cousilman's classic, "The Science of Swimming". This volume should be a required reference for all competitive swimmers and coaches.

Needlessly cumbersome and obscure
Not for beginners, very academic language, not how-to book
Swimming bible
Altough I'm a duch user, the book is a perfect help for trainers.
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Subjects:  1. Physiological aspects    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Sports Medicine    5. Swimming    6. Training    7. Swimming & diving