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

~ (Author), (Contributor) "It's no mystery why people have trouble swimming as fast or as far or as smoothly as they'd like-most of them are doing it backward..." (more)
Key Phrases: sensory skill practice, count your strokes, weightless arm, Total Immersion, Alexander Popov, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com 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.

Review

Eddie Reese1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 United States Olympic Coach and Head Coach, University of Texas (six-time NCAA champions)The most valuable service a good coach provides is to sharpen your technique, not make you work harder. Terry Laughlin has done an outstanding job of simplifying that complex job, providing practical tools that will work for any coach or teacher.

David Marsh1996, 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. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 286 pages
• Publisher: Fireside (August 2, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068481885X
• ISBN-13: 978-0684818856
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (115 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #255,966 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

255 of 257 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better Technique = Better Swimming, September 29, 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.

145 of 148 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This method of swimming does wonders, May 30, 2000

By	David Tepper (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

Terry Laughlin uses basic principles of hydrodynamics to show the correct way to swim "like a fish". Fish-like swimming is perhaps a misnomer, but he does detail how it's possible to reconfigure one's body in the water, to be like a yacht, not like a barge.

There's a whole long section on hydrodynamics for the technically inclined, and for the Olympic watchers there's a bit about how elite swimmers have used these techniques to win. The prose tends toward the purple at times, but it's good background for what's to come: a whole series of lessons and drills that tell you what you're supposed to feel in the water.

Until I heard the phrase "swimming downhill," I'd never really thought about what it should feel like to swim, gliding effortless through the water instead of being dragged by it. But with these and other catchphrases, Laughlin can get any swimmer attuned to what should be happening.

The book itself is choppily arranged. The skill-building practice swims are located in the back of the book, with the actual descriptions of the skills somewhere towards the middle. Even the sections on weight, one for total body and one insanely long regimen for the rotator cuffs, are stuck in their own little sections far apart in the book.

More logical organization would make this a much easier book to flip through, but the results are undeniable. My crawl stroke has improved dramatically, and I can't wait to see what tricks Laughlin has up his sleeve for the other three strokes. This belongs in every swimmer's bedside table, dog-eared and highlighted and worm.

141 of 146 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I learned to swim with lessons by following this book, May 20, 2003

By	Kurt Stephens "nerd-up" (Hollywood, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book explains a swimming technique based on science and years of observation of top swimmers by a very gifted professional coach. This technique is about balance, active streamlining, gliding on your side between strokes and using your whole body to swim, not simply focusing on kicking, stroking and endless laps. It is based on proprioceptive training and learning to relax in the water, not swimming workouts. You will train your nervous system first, then you will get the strength and endurance training for free. Water is 1000 times denser than air, thus good technique will out-perform raw strength. You will not find many swim workouts in this book; you can learn at your own pace. This book is an easy and fun read and the technique is easy to learn.

I'm 34 years old and I began training for my first triathlon 6 months ago; I could not swim 25 yards. I dreaded doing the pool workouts and was a bit afraid of deep, open water. Now I'm swimming over 1600 yards a session and I can sprint 50 yards in under 48 seconds. I learned to swim without lessons by following this book. I like swimming now more than cycling, which I've been doing very often for almost 15 years.

I am a beginner swimmer, yet people at the pool and beach regularly ask me why my stroke looks so different and easy. You can explain and demonstrate the basics of this technique in 5 minutes. I'm convinced that anyone can learn it; it's common sense and fun to learn. I recommend this book to anyone who asks.

If you want to learn efficient, relaxed, fish-like swimming, using the least number of heart beats and strokes, this is the book. If you want to slap and churn water for hours like a "pool robot", kicking furiously to keep your legs from dragging or just looking a workout, don't read this book. If you've never swam freestyle before, get this book. If you are looking for a swimming coach, make sure s/he is familiar with this book.

I'm looking forward to doing a Total Immersion clinic as soon as possible!