As you get into the swing of the Transition Phase, you can be challenged with how to maintain your level of fitness while not completely boring yourself with the same old workout routine. Alas, worry no longer! During this transition phase, try something different and a little challenging. Participate in a Masters Swim Program. Masters Swimming can be a great way to maintain your level of fitness while making some new friends at the same time. Who knows, you might even enjoy the good-natured competition and even participate in a Masters swim meet. In this article I will briefly cover what you as a triathlete should look for in a Masters Swim Program. Additionally, I will introduce some standard workout jargon so you will feel right at home with your competitive and fitness swimming counterparts.

What things should you, as a triathlete, be looking for in a Masters Program? My first recommendation before you “jump” right into a program and invest time and money is to “Do your homework” before you commit. Find out all you can about the Masters Swim Programs in your area. Depending on where you reside, there are probably several programs in your immediate vicinity that meet one of the most important criteria: “Location, location, location.” Most of these programs will have a website. Take the time to check them out. Find out what their philosophy is all about. How often do they offer workouts? Do these workout times fit into your schedule? What is the coaches’ philosophy? Is everyone expected to participate in Masters swim meets?

Next, since you are a triathlete, determine if the program you are looking at caters to or accepts triathletes. Most Masters Program these days are very friendly towards triathletes. This is because triathletes are making up more and more of the Masters population. But, there are still some programs around that are not too keen on embracing the triathlon culture into their program. Steer clear of these programs as you might be made to feel like an intruder into their workout culture. How do you know if the program you are looking at is triathlete friendly? Simple, just ask! Attend a practice as an observer; ask some of the members if they are triathletes. Interview the coach, the Masters coach should be more than ready to give you their “sales pitch” on why you should join their program. Did they mention having triathletes as part of his team makeup? If not, ask them.

Finally, what additional programs does their team offer? Does the team offer triathlon swim clinics in addition to their regular schedule of workouts? Do they offer video stroke analysis for their members? Do they routinely do open-water swims as part of their training and do they offer open-water swim clinics? Do they offer or provide stroke and technique tips as part of the workout or do they just swim?

Now that you have decided to join a Masters group and picked the right program for you, the following is some standard workout jargon that you will hear and see during your workouts. This list is certainly not all inclusive but should provide a good start so you are not completely overwhelmed your first workout.

BK – Backstroke

BR - Breaststroke

Build – Get faster within the designated swim. For example, 25 build means to get faster throughout the entire 25 yards. The last 5 yards should be the fastest swimming of that particular 25.

FL – Butterfly

FR – Freestyle

IM – Individual Medley – Butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle, in that order.

K – Kick. No arms, kick only. Can be done with or without a kickboard. If kicking without a board, try to simulate normal swimming body position and keep arms streamlined.

RI – Rest interval. Some swim sets will have a designated rest interval, such as (:25RI), which means a 25-second rest after each swim repetition.

Scull
Front: In the prone position, your arms are stretched out in front of you. Hands scull in a figure eight to change pitches to propel you forward. Kick is minimal, with the head up or down.
Back: In the prone position, fingertips are pointing directly behind you. Do figure eights to propel your body forward.

SP – Sprint. Swim at a higher effort and speed.

ST – Stroke. A stroke other than freestyle, either butterfly, backstroke, or breaststroke.

W/U – Warm-up segment, gently increasing speeds throughout.

There you have it. Now that you have done your homework and settled on a Masters program that meets your criteria and you have added some basic swimming terminology to your vocabulary get on out there and give it a try. Masters swimming can be a great way to beat the winter doldrums while maintaining your level of fitness. Who knows, you may actually have a lot of fun and meet some great people along the way.

Works Cited/Further Reading
1. American Swimming Coaches Association (1996). “The Masters School”.
2. Hansen, Nick & Eric, (2005). “Workouts In A Binder”® – For Swimmers, Triathletes, and Coaches, pp. xi-xiii.