Customer Reviews
Worthwhile Watch - By: S. R. Mccormack, 01 Oct 2008 
This DVD demonstrated some very useful techniques & Tom Jager is easy to listen to. He is, as statedin a previous review, a proponent of the use of legs. This is OK for sprint swimming but of less use for longer distances such as those swam by tri-athletes. Saying that, improvemnts to stroke technique, body & head position will help any swimmer improve the efficiency of their stroke & speed through the water.
He is not too rigid with technique & acknowledges that swimmers will not always conform to the "by the book" style of freestyle.
Not sure if it's worth buying though, I rented.
Every swimmer and swimming instructor must watch this DVD - By: Rasih Bensan, 20 Dec 2007 
I have been swimming twice or three times a week for fitness for many years. I am an amateur I don't participatein races, I swim to keep fit. I thought my swimming technique was correct until I watched Tom Jager's becoming a faster swimmer vol 1 freestyle DVD. After watching it I understood the mistakesin my freestyle technique & corrected them according to the instructions Tom Jager gives very clearlyin the DVD. I think because the author of the DVD is a 5 time olympic gold medalist his teaching is worthwile learning. The DVD has very good picture quality & very clear explanations demonstratedin the swimming pool. I like it that Tom Jager gives options instead of imposing rigid styles. He explains the fundamental principles & says what is free to vary from swimmer to swimmer. He is a very good talker & it is enjoyable to listen to him. I have started applying the freestyle technique he teaches & my swimming performance has already improved. I mentioned the techniques to a swimming instructor that I know & he agreed. Anybody who swims regularly even if casually not for competition & all swimming instructors would benefit from regularly watching this DVD even if they are already good swimmers. Every swimmer has somethings to learn from a 5 time olympic gold medalist who has prepared such a quality DVD. The sound quality is also very good.
Very good DVD - strtaight talking and informative - By: D. Raybould, 16 May 2007 I coach my children & am qualified with the ASA. This DVD shows the basic theory & the correct method to swim faster. There are some good pointers that really can improve technique & ultimately increase your speed through the water.
Tom Jager was a phenomenal swimmerin his day & he gets his point across well. What I particularly like is the non-confrintational method he uses to suggest teaching points. He decribes how some swimmers use different methods which is fine so long as their coach is aware of it & it is used to their advantage. He asks a question of the children & then helps them understand the answer which is great when teaching youngsters.
This DVD is aimed at the swimmer who wants to get to the next level & it's ideal for young club swimmers looking to advance or tri athletes who want to improve their times.
I wouldn't recommend this DVD for someone who is learning to swim or is teaching someone to learn to swim.
Very helpful video - By: Woody, 19 Oct 2006 I'm currently trying to learn to swin, amd with the lack of instrctional videos available, I thought I would try this. OK, so it's aimed at teaching people who can swim, to swim faster, but as a learner it gave me pointers that have helped me to know what I should & shouldn't be doing.
I wouldn't buy the video, but it's a ver worthwhile rental. The instructor certainly knows his stuff, but once he's shown you what to do, then you have to watch some students try the exercises. Watching the students, is not the most enjoyable part of the video, but at least you see the mistakes they make & can relate to them when Tom Jager comments on there swims.
Jon's review - By: Jon James, 07 Apr 2006 
A bit slow & obvious, though solid, guide to Freestyle.
The presenter is an ex-Olympian, who has all the right techniques to talk about. But he demonstrates it once, then you have to watch a class of young hopefuls do it as well.
He is a big proponent of the legs first view, which is not much good if you're a triathlete. Rent, not buy.
