If a front pack pro is endorsing a program 99% of the time is because they're getting paid to endorse it.

I swam for 2y on Form goggles and they're associated programs. It was fine and got general swimming ability. Joined a swim group 3x/w and took 2.5 min off my 1k in a few months.

Swimming is a little about fitness and a lot about technique. An online coach isn't going to work unless you're a complete newbie.

I've seen Ruth post about Front Pack swim, and my first reaction was that it was a bit strange, if she's training with Brownlee et al why would she need that?

I can certainly help myself , the fitter I am the more i can hold my ‘best’ form as I do find myself struggling to do that

My top end speed is awful , my PR for a 100 yards is like 1-17 ! all out awful swimming

Despite that I am not terrible , 1-05 at Kona , 1-03 at placid , I need 2 to 3 mins though

That hasn't been my experience working remotely with athletes. While it's more challenging, there are gains to be made. I've helped everyone from beginners to top AGers and Pros improve their swim coaching them remotely.


That's the big misconception in triathlon about swimming. It's A LOT about FITNESS and A LOT about TECHNIQUE, but less technique than you think. In the end, you can't separate those two things out from each other.

I hope this helps,

Tim

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http://www.magnoliamasters.com
http://www.snappingtortuga.com
http://www.swimeasyspeed.com

I coach remotely with athletes all the time. I've been working with an athlete right now that had almost identical times to you and he's dropped more than the two minutes you're looking for in the last year.

And I promise the "custom" stroke I help you achieve won't be the same "custom" stroke everyone else gets.

If you'd like to talk, DM me.

Tim

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http://www.magnoliamasters.com
http://www.snappingtortuga.com
http://www.swimeasyspeed.com

There's a bit of a conflict of interest here. Maybe not a conflict but a fundamental bias. I'll agree with you that there are gains to be made, but the majority of people will see bigger and faster gains by working with a group than by working with someone remotely.

Language matters. I think we need to look specifically at what the OP posted, then what you wrote and how I responded.

The title of the OPs post was "Virtual Swim Programs." He wasn't asking about local programs.

You wrote....


As I said before that hasn't been my experience with coaching people remotely. Again, no one has mentioned local programs at this point.

It wasn't until your 2nd post in regards to remote/virtual coaching that you agreed there were gains to be made and not just for newbies.


And I will agree with you that there are more gains to be made with a group with an experienced and qualified coach on the deck. I do it all the time with the team I coach daily. But programs like that are few and far between. Nine times out of ten I can make more gains with an athlete remotely than the average in-person masters program. Again, my experience working with over 1000 triathletes at this point.

Like I said, language matters and be precise with it. I don't hide the fact on this forum that I am a professional coach for triathletes. I know I do a very good job of helping triathletes get results and have the proven results to show for it.

Tim

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http://www.magnoliamasters.com
http://www.snappingtortuga.com
http://www.swimeasyspeed.com

Sure I can be more precise with language but the points still stand. I'm not saying you shouldn't promote your service on here, just don't be salty if someone points it out.

To OP's point about asking only for virtual programs, I don't see the issue with pointing out that it's sub-optimal. If OP asked about the fastest gravel bikes for road triathlons surely someone would say he'd be better off with a tri bike.

I don't think it would be difficult to come up with a rough order of "best" swim training as follows:
1) Having a personal swim coach that is on deck every swim session - BEST
2) Swimming with a group where the coach is looking over the whole group - GREAT
3) Checking in with a swim coach in person on a regular (weekly, monthly) basis - GOOD
4) Attending swim clinic quarterly for in person coaching - OK
5) Having a friend film you and submitting to one of the many online swim coaches, or Slowtwitch, for review and feedback - PREPARE FOR A REALITY CHECK
6) Swimming by yourself with no idea what your stroke looks like - NOT IDEAL (but what a lot of triathletes do)

If the OP is giving their swim time at Kona I think we can assume that this is not a newbie and if they wanted a swim team recommendation that is what they would ask for.
SnappingT puts out a lot of info here, and yes has a business but don't we want people who actually know what they are talking about giving advice and participating on this forum and so that will mean professionals in the arena.