But I Already Know How To Swim!

When it comes up in conversation that I teach swim lessons, adults generally fall into one of two categories, those that will wistfully say “I never learned and I wish I had” and those who will enthusiastically say “I love to swim!” So why should adults who already know how to swim take swim lessons?

It’s good for you!

Studies show that swimming is a whole-body exercise. When you swim freestyle, for example, you’re working nearly every muscle in your body. Additionally, because it’s a whole-body exercise, even those who are already in great physical shape will find excellent improvement in their cardiovascular endurance. Those who aren’t in great physical shape already will find that with a little time and effort, they can make great strides in their fitness level. Additionally, because it’s a non-weight-bearing exercise, those with physical limitations such as injuries or disabilities will find swimming easier on their joints than other forms of cardiovascular exercise.

Nobody’s perfect.

When you look at someone swimming in the pool, most people see just that – someone swimming in the pool. When a swim instructor looks at someone swimming in the pool, what we see is a little different – someone who, with a couple small tweaks, could swim better and more efficiently. Even if you’re already swimming well and regularly, it never hurts to have someone look at your form and make those small corrections. Additionally, some people want to learn to do competitive strokes in a non-intimidating way. Recently, I worked with a swimmer who was struggling with their kick’s efficiency. After about half an hour in the pool, we found both the problem and the solution, and she was able to improve her speed substantially.

You need a plan.

Some adults are training for events such as a triathlon and need help with their stroke, help devising a plan to get the most out of their training, or just need to develop confidence in open water. A swim instructor with the right background can help! As a competitive (loosely defined) open water swimmer, I love helping other adults learn to relax and enjoy open water, as well as helping them develop training plans to go farther or faster – or both! I have worked with a number of triathletes and they all say that getting private instruction was one of the best things they could do for their swim leg.

Commit to Yourself

If you’re an adult swimmer and you’re struggling with your fitness, wanting to learn a new skill or brush off an old one, or getting ready for that big race coming up, perhaps private swim lessons are the way to go! Seek an instructor with a background strong in your weaknesses – an open water swimmer if you’re a triathlete or perhaps a former collegiate swimmer if you want to break that time record you’ve set for yourself. Regardless of your goals, get out there and swim – you’ll never regret making that commitment to yourself.

About the Author: Lorena
Lorna is a Sunsational Swim School Instructor from Sacramento, CA.
Lorena Sims is a (somewhat) competitive open water swimmer, lifeguard, swim instructor, and certified USMS level 2 coach. She loves to see other people of all ages learn to love the water and enjoys seeing those “lightbulb moments” occur.