Group and Private swimming lessons?

Question

Which is honestly better, group costs less and private costs more..is it manageable to learn how to swim with group swimming lessons with a ratio 1:6? I can't decide if i should take private cause i'd learn faster and the instructor is focused on me. But the price is really costly. I'm going to take swimming lessons in the YMCA ..anyone have advice of which one do you think is better?

Answer 1

You don't mention your age or your goals which are critical factors in figuring out which is best.

If you're under 12, then group is definitely the way to go.  You'll be with kids your age and ability level which will make the lesson more fun.  It will also allow you to watch others as they attempt new skills which will help you learn faster.  If you just want to learn the basics of swimming so you can go to the pool and hang out with friends, one or two sessions should be enough.

If you're 12-14 I would take one session of group lessons or just enough private lessons to where you feel comfortable in the water and then join a swim team.  The team environment will help you learn faster than lessons.  I always hate to see older kids in lessons because they just don't progress fast enough.  

If you're over 16, then just stick with the private lessons.  You'll get what you need in a manor thats age appropriate.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I just started swimming a year ago and I enrolled in classes at the YMCA.  I am in a group class and I go once a week.  I got a really good instructor and I learned a lot.  Even though it is a group class you just have to sign up for a class that has the same level of swimming experience as you so that you don't end up in a class that is to easy or to hard where you won't learn anything.  In the booklet that the YMCA gives you just look at the description and age group.  You don't really need a private instructor to learn a lot.

You'll enjoy swimming!! hope I helped :)

Answer 3

Go with the group lessons. When I think of private lessons I think of experienced swimmers that swim all year round and compete in with other high level swimmers. Private lessons are typically for competitors that are looking for teachers that can adjust their techniques so they can swim faster.

But in your case you can go with either but I suggest you just go with the group lesson. You would learn about the same in a group and private lesson but because (no offense) if you are just trying to learn how to swim it wouldn't be really necessary for all the one on one and it wouldn't be worth the money cause you can still learn to swim in a group lesson. Also because you are just starting out and you would probably will have more fun in a group lesson. 1:6 is still a fairly small group so the teacher will still be working with you one on one if that's what you're looking for.

Answer 4

A ratio of 1:6 isn't bad, especially if the kids are older and will pay attention.  Most likely you will get good instruction either way, but if you have the money take the private as the focus will be totally on you.  But if you can't afford private, don't sweat it, group lessons will be fine.

Answer 5

If you can find a really good private instructor, it will probably be better than group lessons.  With 6 people in a 30 minute class, it is very difficult to make progress.

You can find good private instructors that charge a range of rates on the website http://StartSwimming.com (At least in Southern California).

Answer 6

Group is better for the summer.  You will be introduced to the skills same as private, you just won't have as much 1:1 time.  You will have acsess to the summer pool so practice what you learn in lessons as much as possible.  Our YMCA runs lessons everyday for 2 weeks and that is the session.  You would not learn faster in private lessons if you do practice the skills from the group lessons everyday

Answer 7

If you can find a good private swim coach and plan on swimming competitively, I would suggest spending the money. I wish I would have been able to take private lessons from a guy in my area who is REALLY good as I would have learned proper stroke technique and would have probably not have had 2 years of back-to-back tendonitis/rotator cuff issues.

Group lessons are fine if you just plan on learning the basics and not swimming competitvely. However, it depends on how good the teacher is/how many kids are in the class/the level. I took group lessons before joining my local team at 10 and I only knew how to do freestyle because of my lesson group.

If you're under 18, I would suggest joining a swim team. Although you may have to start with the younger kids, you will learn all four strokes and you will probably learn them well, especially if you have a good coach.

Good luck!