Masters swimming is a set of
organized
swim
classes or
workouts for
adults. Many
swimming pools,
especially at
university recreation centers, offer
masters swim classes. People join for
fitness,
recreation, and even to prepare for
competetive swimming meets.
During a session, which typically lasts 90 minutes,
the class is divided into lanes by approximate speed
and ability. The instructor or coach then gives
the day's workout which is similar for the lanes, but
with varying degree of difficulty. A typical workout
might consist of a warm-up set, a drill set,
an interval set, and a cool-down
set; although some workouts focus on distance and
endurance. Sometimes they will videotape you
and give you tips to improve your stroke. Also there
is an occasional fun workout where the instructor will
create a crazy relay race, e.g. one lap wearing clothes,
another backstroke while spitting water in the air, another
with carrying a brick, etc.
In the U.S. masters swim classes are run under the
auspices of the United States Masters Swimming
organization. (www.usms.org)