*Many*, *many* T.I. coaches and students have broken records in numerous events (in pool, open water events, and triathlon) using these methods. I can attest that to this, having coached T.I. for 13 years. It's unfortunate that previous commenters are making broad assumptions based on very limited knowledge, evidence, or experience. Do your research before you jump to unfounded conclusions.
So beautiful Maria. It was such a pleasure swimming - and coaching - with you. And PS to those who are under the impression one cannot break records with this form. I broke USMS 55-59 records on three occasions in the 1-Mile and 2-Mile Cable Swims. TI Coach Ann Svenson is also a multi-time national age group record holder - age groups from 45-49 through 65-69. TI Coach Diann Uustal has broken a dozen US Masters AND several World Masters records in all strokes. Just sayin'
I appreciate the insite each of you have given to this. It is interesting that people wish to make assumptions on a video simply by its title and appearance. In every martial arts, ballet, gymnastics, diving competition hours and hours are given to minute details on form and movement. Masters swimming doesn't offer a step by step approach to learning swim technique, it is there for the accomplished swimmer. Total Immersion teaches the adult learner the importance of form.
You need intensity and higher stroke rate.. in simpler words, a lot more white water when swimming sprint - mid distance events. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice cool-down stroke, but to win in the pool from anywhere to 50-1500m races you have to have higher intensity and power. Almost all elite swimmers use either a hybrid or shoulder driven stroke. Even this hip-driven style has to be effective with higher power output; regardless of its inverse proportion to drag.
I meant why do you feel the need to comment, when nobody at TI ever claimed that this style would break records? Nobody studying this technique is under any illusions of grandeur. They are fully aware of it's limitations, but have gravitated toward it for the ability it has of allowing anybody the joy of angst free swimming. They do give maximum effort, especially to detail, so please do not belittle it. Thank you.
@MrBillyoddy I would not belittle it. It's a great stroke for older swimmers; just a huge mistake some swimmers make (like myself ten years ago) thinking it can actually get to be used in competition most effectively. I had to take note of this in a comment because it was a huge mistake I have made a long while back. Sure, mastering the technique is quite difficult, but not as much as hours spent conditioning as well. There is a reason people swim for fitness..
I'm really sorry you wasted your time learning TI. I do however feel that it was due to your misinterpretation of the principals. This technique is not meant to get you fit and ripped, and with no offence to Terry, just a glance at him should have tipped you off about that at the beginning.
@FruitarianSwimster I agree to get speed you need intensity, adding intensity to good form produces speed, adding intensity to bad form produces high heart rate only. First you have to learn how to swim before you learn how to swim fast. With this teaching method new swimmers can keep their heart rate low so they can learn, once they have technique they can add heart rate and it produces speed, before they get technique all they have is high heart rate and panick.
This type of style is NOT for fit elite swimmers.. Although great for older swimmers, it's not the way to go if someone wants to break a record in the NCAA. Swimming TI is NOT a simple solution; yet an excuse not to give more effort and fitness in the pool. In my experience in the sport of swimming there is A LOT of conditioning and work ALONG with technique. Let me know if anyone breaks a national record any time soon with TI ;)
@MrBillyoddy Secondly, every single elite swimmer has to train his kick; the kick is not only for 50 yd races like they say. It has to be powerful and up to an 8 beat style in races that are in the elite swimming world. Gliding like this assures that you slow down on each stroke, almost like driving fast, then applying the brakes, driving fast, applying the brakes. It takes much more energy to speed back up from a slower position to a faster position due to the laws of inertia.
@MrBillyoddy All while maintaining a high elbow catch position, which TI disregards to saying only elite swimmers can do, which is entirely incorrect. They can use the high elbow catch AND they are conditioned as well as efficient.
*Many*, *many* T.I. coaches and students have broken records in numerous events (in pool, open water events, and triathlon) using these methods. I can attest that to this, having coached T.I. for 13 years. It's unfortunate that previous commenters are making broad assumptions based on very limited knowledge, evidence, or experience. Do your research before you jump to unfounded conclusions.
gunxgirl 3 weeks ago
Comment removed
gunxgirl 3 weeks ago
So beautiful Maria. It was such a pleasure swimming - and coaching - with you. And PS to those who are under the impression one cannot break records with this form. I broke USMS 55-59 records on three occasions in the 1-Mile and 2-Mile Cable Swims. TI Coach Ann Svenson is also a multi-time national age group record holder - age groups from 45-49 through 65-69. TI Coach Diann Uustal has broken a dozen US Masters AND several World Masters records in all strokes. Just sayin'
totalswimm 2 months ago
I appreciate the insite each of you have given to this. It is interesting that people wish to make assumptions on a video simply by its title and appearance. In every martial arts, ballet, gymnastics, diving competition hours and hours are given to minute details on form and movement. Masters swimming doesn't offer a step by step approach to learning swim technique, it is there for the accomplished swimmer. Total Immersion teaches the adult learner the importance of form.
gailflint 2 months ago
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You need intensity and higher stroke rate.. in simpler words, a lot more white water when swimming sprint - mid distance events. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice cool-down stroke, but to win in the pool from anywhere to 50-1500m races you have to have higher intensity and power. Almost all elite swimmers use either a hybrid or shoulder driven stroke. Even this hip-driven style has to be effective with higher power output; regardless of its inverse proportion to drag.
FruitarianSwimster 2 months ago
@FruitarianSwimster
I meant why do you feel the need to comment, when nobody at TI ever claimed that this style would break records? Nobody studying this technique is under any illusions of grandeur. They are fully aware of it's limitations, but have gravitated toward it for the ability it has of allowing anybody the joy of angst free swimming. They do give maximum effort, especially to detail, so please do not belittle it. Thank you.
MrBillyoddy 2 months ago
@MrBillyoddy
correction: delusions of grandeur
MrBillyoddy 2 months ago
@MrBillyoddy I would not belittle it. It's a great stroke for older swimmers; just a huge mistake some swimmers make (like myself ten years ago) thinking it can actually get to be used in competition most effectively. I had to take note of this in a comment because it was a huge mistake I have made a long while back. Sure, mastering the technique is quite difficult, but not as much as hours spent conditioning as well. There is a reason people swim for fitness..
FruitarianSwimster 2 months ago
@FruitarianSwimster
I'm really sorry you wasted your time learning TI. I do however feel that it was due to your misinterpretation of the principals. This technique is not meant to get you fit and ripped, and with no offence to Terry, just a glance at him should have tipped you off about that at the beginning.
MrBillyoddy 2 months ago
@FruitarianSwimster I agree to get speed you need intensity, adding intensity to good form produces speed, adding intensity to bad form produces high heart rate only. First you have to learn how to swim before you learn how to swim fast. With this teaching method new swimmers can keep their heart rate low so they can learn, once they have technique they can add heart rate and it produces speed, before they get technique all they have is high heart rate and panick.
gailflint 2 months ago
This type of style is NOT for fit elite swimmers.. Although great for older swimmers, it's not the way to go if someone wants to break a record in the NCAA. Swimming TI is NOT a simple solution; yet an excuse not to give more effort and fitness in the pool. In my experience in the sport of swimming there is A LOT of conditioning and work ALONG with technique. Let me know if anyone breaks a national record any time soon with TI ;)
FruitarianSwimster 2 months ago
@FruitarianSwimster
why?
MrBillyoddy 2 months ago
Comment removed
FruitarianSwimster 2 months ago
@MrBillyoddy Secondly, every single elite swimmer has to train his kick; the kick is not only for 50 yd races like they say. It has to be powerful and up to an 8 beat style in races that are in the elite swimming world. Gliding like this assures that you slow down on each stroke, almost like driving fast, then applying the brakes, driving fast, applying the brakes. It takes much more energy to speed back up from a slower position to a faster position due to the laws of inertia.
FruitarianSwimster 2 months ago
@MrBillyoddy All while maintaining a high elbow catch position, which TI disregards to saying only elite swimmers can do, which is entirely incorrect. They can use the high elbow catch AND they are conditioned as well as efficient.
FruitarianSwimster 2 months ago
Comment removed
FruitarianSwimster 2 months ago