Video Review: “Life Is Worth Swimming”

Beautifully shot using the best underwater technology available, “Life is Worth Swimming” ($40, Theraceclub.net) is a new instructional swim video narrated by three-time Olympic medalist Gary Hall Sr. (and directed by his son, Richard). Hall uses his years of coaching experience as the director of The Race Club in Islamorada, Fla., to take swimmers through each stroke as well as drills, turns, starts and dry-land strength. The pool footage is interspersed with conversations about mental training and nutrition with the featured swimmers Olympian George Bovell and All-American Bobby Savulich.

Hall explains common mistakes in each stroke—did you know your hands should come above the water during breaststroke recovery?—and explains the compromise between power versus drag. His instruction is clear, concise, and always accompanied by the perfect above and underwater visual.

We loved the kicking series, where Hall showed some non-kickboard exercises to spice up kick sets: Try a “kicking war” with a partner, where you face each other underwater holding a PVC pipe and attempt to tug it away from the other person. If you really want a challenge, try vertical kicking in a streamline position (hands over head) or while tossing a medicine ball to a partner on deck—Hall recommends wearing fins at first.

More from Gary Hall Sr.:
– The High-Elbow Pull Of The Freestyle Stroke
– A Better Way To Breathe?
– Why It’s Important To Conquer The Swim Kick
– Michael Phelps’ Secret Weapon?
– Swim Speed Series: Keep Your Head Down
– Refine Your Swim Kick

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