Triathlon Swimming Made Easy: The Total Immersion Way for Anyone to Master Open-Water Swimming

I got this book after having just started freestyle lessons (I had never felt comfortable with freestyle before, as I disliked having my head under water). The swimming coach used some TI techniques, and I liked it. After four lessons, I was basically comfortable in the water, and after six lessons I could swim, slow, but "pretty" TI freestyle. After two swimming lessons, I signed up for my first triathlon and decided I should get additional resources to maximize the learning.There is a lot of good stuff in the book, though I think without a coach, or at least a DVD like  Outside The Box: A Total Immersion Swimming Program For Success In Open Water with Terry Laughlin  and  Freestyle: Made Easy , it would be very difficult to get it right.A better lay out for the book, and not to mention a serious editor and a publisher who insisted on an index etc, would have done wonders for the book. It comes across a bit too much as an evening project by Terry Laughlin that he self published. The lay out is ugly, and sometimes it is difficult to find the information you want. The content deserves much better packaging and massaging.That being said, if you are a beginner triathlete who would like to try TI, or someone who wants to swim more "effortlessly", I recommend the book. BTW - the book convinced me that I should order the fist glove, which I did (My stroke rate for a 26 meter pool, dropped from 16 to 14 immediately at the same (slow) speed, making it a worthwhile tool).

This is the best book you can buy on swimming. Period. In fact, most triathlon training books refer the reader to Terry Laughlins Total Immersion (TI) program, which is explained most clearly in this book. (Don't buy the out-dated book entitled "Total Immersion." I've read it; it's good; but it doesn't fully reflect the author's most recent ideas on swimming drills.)When you buy the book, you should also order the video "Fishlike Freestyle," which shows all the drills beautifully executed by top-notch swimmers. (In fact, the "models" in the video make the drills look TOO easy.)If you read the book, follow the program, and execute the drills according to the video, you'll become an excellent swimmer. It might take you several months or even a year or two, but eventually you'll do it. Personally, I'm still working at it--slowly--but a friend of mine went from being a terrible swimmer to being a beautiful, smooth, fast fishlike triathlete in the water by following the Total Immersion program. Several other of my triathlete friends have used the Total Immersion program with excellent success. You can spot these swimmers for the grace and fluidity as they glide effortlessly through the water.If you're serious about swimming or triathlon, this book is a must buy.

I began swimming a few months ago in preparation for my first triathlon. Although I could run a marathon with energy to spare, I could barely cross the pool once without gasping. After struggling twice a week for a couple of months, a friend told me about Total Immersion.I went online and read the first three chapters (for free at the Total Immersion website) and saw significant improvement in my swimming effort. I purchased Triathlon Swimming Made Easy, and have not even finished the book yet, but have seen tremendous improvement in my speed and energy output. Last time I got out of the pool, after swimming more than a mile, I felt like I had just taken a stroll around the block. But best of all, my fastest friend at the pool, who began her mile swim at the same time as me, couldn't lap me!Speed and ease of swimming are the benefits of employing the methods in this book. Read it and get faster while saving your energy for other parts of your triathlon.

Like many people, I was skeptical about this book. How could I truly learn to swim better from reading a book. But after reading this and practising the techniques I am a believer. I am a triathlete, albeit a 50 year old slow triathlete. But I began as a swimmer, so I am very comfortable there. I am not fast, but love the water. But this book has made me a better swimmer. It's in the economy of stroke. This book will teach you a way of swimming that's more like yoga or TM than those swimmers you see flailing their arms and being out of breath. This won't happen overnight, but as the author says, if you practise at this long enough you will get better.

This book seemed more self serving than instructional. There were good pieces of information, but they were sandwiched around pages of the author telling you how revolutionary his ideas are and how successful his methods have been. The book could have been cut down significantly by removing this fluff, and it would have made for a better read. Everytime I got to a new chapter, I had to sift through pages of filler before I got to any good material. I mean I already bought the book, he doesn't need to continue selling his ideas to me, I can try them out and decide for myself.Also, I haven't tried to DVD, but I suspect it would be better because it would be easier to visualize the techniques he writes about.

I think I could have went without this book. The whole book could have been condensed to just a few pages. No great images to help you learn the total immersion way. I definitely feel that the original Total Immersion book is infinitely better BUT the video is the most informative. I find myself watching that video over and over. A picture is worth a thousand words... Dont misunderstand me, Total Immersion Rocks! I have only been swimming for a year ( I am 45) and I can bang out a mile or more no problem in about 30 minutes.

This book is good but as other reviewers have noted, you really need the DVD "Easy Freestyle Swimming" to see how to do the drills. I just started working on the beginning drills and feel it's making a difference in my swimming. I'm anxious to get to the more advanced drills. If you only want to buy one, get the DVD.

Very patient and clear explanation of how TI works. It all makes sense to me now.

Just what I needed for my open water adventures. As a relative newbie to triathlon and open water swimming, I lacked the skills and nerve. This book has given me the courage and insight to persevere. It has been a long journey but my confidence has increased and I can honestly say I am a more confident open water swimmer as a result of the support provided by the book. Very, very good. Lots of good hints and tips, drills and insight from swimmers' experiences that help you feel you are not alone with your fears. A must for any new triathlete venturing into open water triathlons.Prompt delivery.

Perfect training guide book which improves our confidence. Very helpful for beginners and long distance swimmers with easy swimming without any effort.

Very good book, every exercise explain very well and understandeble. I learn this technique from this book. Now I swim longer distance (1 km in a piece, 3 - 4 km in one treining) with ease and confortable and faster then before, with less strokes and lower heart rate. I recommend it. 😊