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Swimming defn.: "the sport or activity of propelling oneself through water using the limbs."

We all walk onto the pool deck with vastly different swimming experiences, fitness levels, reasons for dragging ourselves out of bed at obscene hours, and goals. Perhaps you can relate to some of the following swimming profiles:

• Gold medal Olympic swimmer or Olympic participant
• Challenge swimmer who attempts to navigate difficult bodies of water, such as the English Channel
• Ironman triathlete – winner or participant
• Long-distance open water swimmer
• Former high school swimmer
• Former college swimmer
• Took swimming lessons as a child
• Recreational swimmer
• Fearful swimmer
• Avid triathlete whose weakness is swimming
• Frustrated and stagnated swimmer – why is this so difficult?
• Fitness swimmer who swims for exercise

Perhaps you relate to more than one of those profiles, or you have transitioned through several stages in your swimming history and find yourself in a completely new phase. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of "swimmer", you undoubtedly have asked yourself "Where do I want go from here, and how do I get there?" Even the most experienced swimmers need advice, but their needs are very different from those of a novice.

From where should this advice come? The information is out there – on the internet, in fitness and health magazines, new swimming programs, coaches and swimmers themselves – but it's not easy to know how it applies to you and your swimming profile, or even if it's a widely accepted fact versus an opinion. Most athletes I work with are looking for interpretation of this information and they struggle to know how to apply it and in which order. This includes advice on stroke technique, drills, and workout sets.

Having worked with swimmers of every level from complete beginner to national elite athlete, I have seen almost every possible variation and interpretation of swimming imaginable. There is no doubt that swimming can be confusing, technically challenging, and difficult to interpret. After all, there are so many things to consider - balance, rotation, timing, breathing, and propulsion. Further, each profile mentioned above may require a unique training regimen. How do you know if the workouts you have been following are right for your goals? If your source of advice isn't putting these elements together for you in a way you can digest, and you find yourself confused by what you are reading or hearing, it may be time to begin a search for a new source. Consider this: swimming can be boiled down to simple movements, performed well… and repeated".

Below are several key questions and answers to get you started on the right track in your quest to find clarity and direction in your swimming program.

What should I do first? While reading online advice can provide some solid advice, it is a one-way street. In other words, there is no dialogue between you and the expert. Ideally, seek a local professional who can spend time with you to determine your level, skills, and goals. They should ask you questions that will lead them to a thorough understanding of what you want out of a program.

Where do I swim? Although many health clubs have a pool, they may not employ a swimming professional who can help you with your specific swimming needs. Check out Minnesota Masters Swimming online at www.minnesotamasters.com, where you can find anything from workout opportunities, places to swim, and upcoming events.

What should I look for in a swimming program? While it depends on your season goals, skills, and fitness level, look to find a coach, team or swimming advisor who will give you a program with progression in mind. This means that the program builds in intensity and difficulty on a schedule that aligns with your goals and fitness level. If refining your stroke is important, look for a coach that can provide underwater video. If you have reached a frustrating plateau, or are having trouble overcoming a problem in your stroke, look for a coach who can offer a variety of tools, techniques, and state of the art methods to get you over the hump. If your work or personal schedule limits the available times you can swim, look for a program that offers multiple time slots.

Who are the best coaches for me? Any coach that knows more about swimming than you and understands and listens to your needs and objectives can be a good fit, but finding a coach who matches your personality and communicates concepts in a way that makes sense to you is equally as important. Seek coaches who are actively current in their craft and are aware of modern stroke and training techniques.

Is one method better than another? While there are several different methodologies that coaches and trainers use, in most cases the methods are attempting to develop the same skills. Coaches will also tend to emphasize different elements depending on their own strengths and background. Some place more emphasis on fitness, certain stroke elements, or specific strokes. If you like a specific methodology or protocol, follow that program closely for long enough to determine its real effect. Remember that a key to success in swimming is consistency, purpose and progression.

At OptumHealth Performance, we provided athletes with Aquatic services such as:

• Above and below water filmed swimming stroke analysis.
• One on one swimming lessons. Personal consultation and practical application to determine the best plan and direction for each individual athlete
• Masters swimming program with detailed season plan, test swims for training paces, written and coached workouts.
• Clinics for competitive pool swimming, triathlon & open water swimming
• Coaches with over 80 years combined swimming experience

Get started today – call us at 952-769-2060 or visit OptumHealthPerformance.com to schedule a free coaching consultation; or just stop by the OptumHealth Performance Center and try out one of the Masters Swim classes.

For informational purposes only. You should consult an appropriate health care professional to discuss whether the information herein is right for you.

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