Question 1

Is *Swim Speed Secrets* good for a complete beginner triathlete who can barely swim 25 meters?**

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Many swimmers and triathletes who started with zero competitive background found the book’s progressive breakdown—from body position to the final arm pull—extremely helpful. It’s designed so you can master one skill at a time, making it a great first guide. That said, you’ll see the best results if you can practice each drill in the water alongside reading.

Question 2

I’m a visual learner—does this book include any video content or online extras?**

Accepted Answer

Good question, because many people feel the same way. *Swim Speed Secrets* relies entirely on text and static illustrations, so there’s no accompanying video or app. If you find that limit frustrating, you might want to supplement your reading with free YouTube tutorials from coaches like Effortless Swimming or GTN to see the movements in action.

Question 3

Can this help me for open-water swimming (e.g., sighting, waves, wetsuit technique)?**

Accepted Answer

The book focuses heavily on pool-based freestyle mechanics, particularly body roll, catch, and propulsion. While those fundamentals transfer directly to open water, you won’t find dedicated chapters on sighting, chop handling, or wetsuit-specific form. For that, you might pair this with an open-water-specific guide or clinic.

Question 4

What’s the return policy if these drills don’t improve my speed?**

Accepted Answer

Most retailers (Amazon, direct publisher) offer a standard 30-day return window for unused or damaged books. If you’ve already gotten it wet or marked it up, you may have limited options. As many TikTok users have noted, the best way to test the value is to commit to the first four chapters’ drills over three pool sessions—that’s usually enough to feel a difference in efficiency, even if speed gains take longer.

Question 5

How is this different from *Total Immersion* by Terry Laughlin? Should I get both?**

Accepted Answer

Great question—this book is more focused on competitive speed and specific power metrics (catch, pull-through, turnover) for triathlon and racing. *Total Immersion* is better known for its smooth, energy-saving approach and is often preferred by long-distance swimmers. Many athletes actually buy both and use *Swim Speed Secrets* as their “speed workout handbook” and *Total Immersion* as their “basics and relaxation guide.”

Swim Speed Secrets for Swimmers and Triathletes: Master the Freestyle Technique Used by the World's Fastest Swimmers

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