Customer Reviews

The Waterproof Coach: The Waterproof Workout Book for Fitness Swimmers and Triathletes

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Here is my case, I used to swim in a team a few years ago, and it was fun but then I had to quit due to lack of time, now since sports is a very important part of my life I came back but got bored from swimming laps and doing the same thing all the time, and when I tried to mix some training drills my muscules hurt a lot. Now that I bought this book I can't wait for the swimming session every single day, it has so many programs that you just can't get bored, and most important it has 3 parts in every day that you swim - warm up, main training program, and relaxation which is very important. This book is a must have for every serious or professional swimmer who swims alone and without a trainer.

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.

I loved this book! As a new swimmer, it was very helpful, especially the section where the author describes terms used in swimming. My swimming partner, a seasoned swimmer, loved the book so much that she immediately ordered a copy. We shared the book between two lanes and were able to flip back from the basic workout (for me) to a more advanced workout for her. During our first workout I accidentally dropped the book in the water. I dried it off and it is as good as new.

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.

I was skeptical that a book could provide a workout similar to that from a coach or master's swimming program, but this book does exactly that. The ability to mix and match workouts to suit your level and objectives is really a huge benefit. I will certainly continue to use this as a regular resource for my training. The only negative is the pages are a bit hard to get dry and tend to stick together when wet.

This book assumes that the user knows very little about swimming. The layout is wonderful and the concept is clever, but the workouts are not challenging and not too creative. For example, one of the WDs is "100 swim, 100 kick". I bought the book to avoid such lackluster sets. So, if you are new to the sport this is a great book. If you swam in HS or college, I'd skip it and look elsewhere.

This is a wonderful book to help plan your swimming workouts. I used to go to the pool and just start swimming laps... I would end up going all out in the beginning and then I would get too worn out to complete a good workout. With this book, I can flip through and select a warm-up, main set & cool-down. There are beginner, intermediate & advanced levels for each part of the workout. Now I create a total swimming workout based on how I feel and the amount of time I have at the gym. I know what is ahead of me so I pace myself during the warm-up, push myself during the main set & and I always look forward to the cool-down! I also love that this book is waterproof. I bring it to the pool with me & leave it on the edge of the pool... it can get wet and it will not be ruined!

This is a great tool for triathletes. A great variety of workouts for the pool, bike and running. It's great for those who don't have a coach around to give workouts- just flip open the book and go. It holds up in the water- I, of course had to test the title and dunked the book in the water. It held up just fine & is ready for the next workout.

This is a very useful tool when trying to get back in shape. It keeps your workouts interesting and efficient. It is truly waterproof and can take the abuse of pool deck use and storage in pool bog between workouts. I recommend it to the amateur swimmer who uses swimming to stay in shape. I borrowed a friend's and then bought my own and use it every time I swim.

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!
All these points caused me to return the book, inspite of incurring a refund loss.
Save your money.