Reply #1: You can get good exercise just moving in the water. When I started

[swimboy]

swimming for fitness a couple of years ago, I just did breast stroke because I knew I could do that without running into anybody. After I found out I enjoyed it and was staying with it, I wanted to swim freestyle and had only fifth and sixth grade lessons long ago to draw from. Because I swim at the local YMCA and had gotten to know some of the lifeguards, I asked one that taught lessons for a single session for an assessment and advice on my swimming skills.

It was really good because it corrected some things at the outset. I didn't reinforce some bad aspects of my stroke and have to unlearn them later. So, if you have access like that to a single session where they know what you want to get out of it, I think it's worthwhile.

If, on the other hand, thinking about lining it up is a deterrent to getting in the water, forget about it and get in the water and move!

You might also find that someone will offer you advice if they see something easy to correct. Try to be open to that. I've gotten some great tips from fellow swimmers!

Good luck!