I need an opinion.
The YMCA is offering adult swim lessons at a very reasonable price beginning in a week or so. I can swim enough to finish a 500m in 12minutes. Basically enough to finish I am extremely inefficient in the water and have never had any formal training. I would like to learn the basics - kicking drills breathing drills, etc.
I am wondering if group adult lessons would be beneficial or would I be better off to get private lessons - which are a little more expensive but not out of the question.
Of course the group lessons will be fine. At my Swim School we had large groups of adults taking advanced swimstroke correction, sometimes up to 20 in a group. You could also join in a master swimming group although they do cover all strokes. But any time spent in the water is good and if stroke correction takes place that is a bonus.
I started training for my first sprint tri last year Feb. The last time I had taken swim lessons was when I was 8 y/o at the Y. So, I signed up for the Y's Intermediate class. The class (in Grand Rapids) turned out to be about 4 of us plus the instructor. The other 3 students were very much beginners. The instructor spent time with all of us and I benefitted from the instruction. From that experience, I got to know other instructors and also learned about weekly stroke clinics. This is a long-winded (even though written) way to say --sign up, take the class, at the very least, you get some extra time in the water, may learn some techniques and training tips, and you may find out that there is yet another, better class to take.
Sure a private instructor would be the best way to go for 1-on-1 instruction, but I did't have the money for that and the Y was my only option.
Just my two cents based on my experience.
Good luck and enjoy!
I actually coach adult swim for my y in NJ we have a great time and i try to gear my workouts to all abilities. You should talk to the coach see what the profram entails my workouts run for an hour and a half and range from 1000 to 3500 yards, I also fo alot of stroke correction and drills it may be just the thing for you. good luck. and if you need any info please get back to me.
^^ ALL GOOD ADVICE...
Down here the swim atlanta adult stroke classes teach the total immersion (TI) method. I sign up at least one time a year for a 4 day class where the instructor pretty much corrects my stroke and gives me workout training ideas...
the only draw back is that last year.. there were 2 people in my class who could not swim at all! :eek:
I would go with the group lessons first and if you need some more work then get private lessons.
just my .02 :D