LearnToSWIM Reviews 98

I have been struggling with learning to swim in a group setting, so I decided to opt for private swimming lessons. Among many coaches, Mark stood out due to the excellent reviews from previous students, convenient time slots, and an easy, straightforward booking process. After a few lessons with him, I am convinced it has been my best investment ever.

Mark is a very dedicated teacher. He listens to my concerns and tailors the lessons to my needs. Unlike other instructors who try to cover as much as possible—which can be overwhelming for a beginner like me—Mark focuses on the basics, explaining the principles behind them, and ensures I have done each step correctly before moving on. His humorous and encouraging approach also makes the lessons more relaxing and motivating.

The facilities at Fitness First are excellent! A dedicated swimming lane for lessons, along with super clean changing room and showers.

I highly recommend Mark for all beginners like me, but I believe swimmers of any level can benefit from his lessons, depending on their goals!

As someone who learnt (badly) how to swim as a kid but was taken out of lessons when my non-swimming mum was satisfied with my progress, I became aware of my inefficiencies of swimming the older I got. For me learning how to swimming well is a goal because I know how great and functional an exercise swimming is, especially when you get into old age. So while I have the chance in my 20s I really wanted to improve and learn new strokes. I had tried a few schools before Mark and found I didn't make much progress (just burnt a hole in my bank account). Mark at learn to swim is a person who understands the mechanics behind swimming and because of that he is excellent at tailoring swimming to the person's specific needs and to me this is what puts him ahead of other schools I tried before, where they are just teaching to a one fits all curriculum. Each lesson the actions you need to enact and learn are discussed with you and he also gets in the water when he needs to, to physically demonstrate what needs to be done. If you want someone who's going to pay attention to detail throughout and feel like you are improving week on week, Mark is your man! The process to book lessons through the app is easy enough and he has a very generous rescheduling allowance. Venue pretty central at London Bridge and have a whole lane to yourself at fitness first. Wholeheartedly recommend!

Mark is very methodical with his approach to training sessions which is exactly what I was looking for. He’s very attentive / focuses on each minor detail which has been extremely helpful as I look to transition into longer Olympic distance + workouts. Will continue to work with him as I’m seeing major improvements in my overall technique and mechanics!!

I’m 26 and always felt a bit embarrassed that I still didn’t know how to swim. I’ve now had 4 lessons with Mark so far and I am already so much better with my swimming and breathing techniques in the water.

Mark is an incredibly kind and patient instructor and never fails to crack a few jokes through the session which definitely puts you at ease if you’re a bit nervous in the water like I was! I look forward to our lessons each week and will definitely be purchasing my 3rd pack of 4 courses through the easy to use app.

If you’re looking to learn how to swim, I would genuinely not hesitate to book with Mark. You will learn so much just from the first session! The actual venue is great, it’s super convenient in the Fitness First and the water is warm which is great

Mark is an amazing swimming teacher who is calm, empathetic and patient. My confidence in the water grew instantly and within a few lessons I was progressing to areas of swimming I never thought I ever could, due to my growing confidence in myself, instilled by the great teaching. I would highly recommend Mark to anyone who is wanting to take that first step in learning to navigate the water and finally finding the enjoyment in it.

Highly recommend LearnToSwim to everyone. Mark is a really patient and progressive coach. In his classes I got a perfect balance of theory and practice. And he also always makes the class super fun as well!!

My swimming instructor, Mark Trude, is undoubtedly among the finest I've encountered. His tailored lessons are goal-oriented, and I appreciate his sequential teaching approach, which makes mastering techniques easy. The classes are well-structured, and Mark provides thorough explanations of techniques. After 7-9 weeks of learning, I'm delighted with my progress and highly recommend Mark not only for his expertise but also for his personality.

Mark is an amazing swimming instructor. He is extremely patient, cool, and knowledgeable. I have been making significant progress since I started my lessons. Mark provides personalized lessons and breaks down the challenging strokes into easily manageable steps.

Additionally, Mark's enthusiasm for swimming is contagious! I feel more confident than ever, and I am enjoying the learning process.

I am not just learning how to swim, I am diving headfirst into a whole new world of aquatic fun!

Mark is great instructor and I would highly recommend him. Mark is very technical about the details of swimming and able to demonstrate and teach these in an engaging and easy understand way. He is also very charismatic making the lessons interesting, and also puts in a lot of effort by preparing for each lesson and reviewing what we went through in the last lesson - which was really appreciated and showed that he cared. Thanks Mark for the great swimming lessons!

Mark is a fantastic teacher who imparts the key knowledge of swimming in a digestible manner, allowing you to understand the mechanics behind swimming.

I came to Mark as I wanted to learn how to swim in a short amount of time before a vacation trip and also to get ready before learning how to scuba dive. I have had at least 4 sessions with Mark so far and feel my swimming technique is improving.

You will not only receive pictures of the course content for the sessions but also video recordings of your swimming form as well as further content to learn more about the topics that are being covered in the lessons.

It is also easy to book classes through the app and it is located conveniently at London Bridge.

I've experienced four sessions with Mark at Learn to Swim, and I can't express how amazing he's been from the very start. As someone who hadn't attempted swimming since childhood and felt a bit self-conscious about learning as an adult, Mark's approach made me feel incredibly comfortable. His guidance not only helped me overcome my fear but also boosted my confidence in the water. I genuinely look forward to our upcoming sessions. If you have any reservations about swimming, especially as an adult, Mark is undoubtedly the instructor you need.

Mark consistently imparts valuable insights about swimming that have significantly improved my technique. His lessons are undeniably worth the investment. The streamlined booking process through the Learn to Swim app adds convenience, and the exceptional facilities, complete with clean changing areas and provided equipment, contribute to an overall excellent experience. I wholeheartedly recommend Mark to everyone—friends, family, colleagues, or even strangers. He's simply the best.

I have been doing lessons with Mark in fitness first at london bridge for about 2 months (2-3 times per month). I’ve started as complete beginner, but Mark was so helpful in every possible way. His lessons are always great, and with every lesson you will learn something new. I’m feeling a significant progress since beginning and I am looking forward to every next session with Mark. He is very knowledgeable, patient
and great teacher. (sometimes he can be funny as well :). He also send you videos and pictures of the board where he is taking notes of every lesson. If you are looking for a place to learn to swim, or improve your swimming skills, look no further, I cannot recommend him highly enough. Also worth mentioning that facilities are quite good, changing room, showers and toilet are always very clean. Swimming pool itself is 1.50m depth (in case you are afraid of deep water like me). Thank you Mark once again, and see you at our next session, looking forward to it :)

I’ve been taking lessons with Mark for a couple of months and I have to say his lessons are brilliant. His knowledge on swimming is outstanding and his passion combined with his enthusiasm to teach really shows. Marks ability to remain calm and collected no matter how many times you make a mistake is always highly appreciated. He knows your swimming limits and can push you beyond what you thought you were cable of. It also helps tremendously that he is in the pool with you every step of the way which is a massive confidence boost especially for beginners. It also makes you feel less odd learning to swim especially as an adult.

All lessons take place at Fitness First located opposite London Bridge station. They’re 1-1 in a closed lane of the pool. The pool itself is around 15 metres long and only 1.5 metres deep. The classes are tailored specifically to your ability and go at a steady pace that you can manage. Mark makes notes throughout the lesson and sends them to you afterwards. The staff are friendly and polite and the changing facilities/ showers are kept clean and tidy. Added bonus, there’s a machine to wring out water from your shorts!

Booking lessons are done via an app. It’s easy to use and lets you see what’s available quite far ahead and plan accordingly. There’s different times and packages available to suit everyones needs. Most days classes are available from 6:35 - 20:35. Be warned, they go very fast so you’ll have to be quick! Which I believe in itself is a testament to how great Mark is.

Honestly, I don’t think you could beat the service you get with Mark. If you’re serious about learning to swim or improving your technique who better than someone who’s travelled all over in the name of swimming and taught at an Olympic level. Personally, I recommend everyone try the new client offer £45 for 60 minutes. What do you have to lose?

I came to Mark with the challenge of needing to improve my swimming in a very short space of time for a course I had to do. We both knew it would be difficult but even after 1 lesson my swimming improved leaps and bounds.

Mark is understanding, patient, kind and a natural teacher. Since then I have returned for lesson after lesson and for my personal improvement I'm astonished how much better of a swimmer I am in a matter of a few weeks. He breaks the process down very well and really gives confidence and pushes you just the right amount.

He plans each lesson perfectly, takes notes and videos so you can review them afterwards and is always available for further questions outside the pool. Mark is worth every penny and I would recommend him to anyone, beginner or not, as he completely takes away the daunting feeling of having to learn something as an adult!

LearnToSwim is a fantastic swimming course. The course content is really through leaving no stone unturned and covering and the small details whilst still keeping a big picture about form, strokes. Mark is a great teacher and makes learning something hard quite enjoyable!

Also very economical in todays market, location is great (London Bridge) and eat to get to. Would highly recommend it to a friend! Plan to use LearnToSwim for the foreseeable future.

The app is also a highlight, a lot of companies have an archaic website, the app makes it easy to book lessons.

Mark is a brilliant swimming instructor. He is extremely personable, has a deep knowledge of the sport of swimming and, most importantly, is able to explain the ‘process’ of swimming in a way that makes it accessible.

I have also found the booking app and the facilities to be excellent.

I highly recommend Mark as a swimming instructor. He is patient, knowledgeable, and encouraging. I have been taking swimming lessons from him for three months, and I have made significant progress.

Mark tailors his lessons to my individual needs and goals. He can explain complex swimming concepts clearly and concisely is also very supportive, and always encourages me to do my best.

I have become a much more confident and competent swimmer thanks to Mark. He has made swimming a fun and enjoyable experience for me. I am so grateful for his instruction and support.

We've been taking swimming lessons from Mark - he is a really really fantastic teacher! After just 4 lessons, our swimming skills have improved massively. Mark's lessons are extremely focused and structured to meet individual goals. His methods are holistic and focus on developing your swimming and breathing techniques with some great theory and practice (including videos and demonstrations), while also reminding us to have fun and enjoy swimming! The pool and facilities are also very clean and tidy. I would highly recommend joining Learntoswim with Mark for anyone looking to learn or improve swimming skills!

A big thank you goes to Mark which is helping me learning to swim. After each lesson, I feel more confident and ready to learn more. It’s so fun and I can’t wait for the next lesson 😁

I decided to learn swimming as am rehabbing from a running injury. Haven't learnt swimming until now and coming to it at this age (only 45!) can be daunting.
I couldn't have asked for a better teacher. From the get go - Mark is friendly, approachable and makes learning swimming an enriching experience....it's about learning a new life skill and my conversations with Mark during the sessions on why we are afraid to let go (and you have to if you want to learn to swim!) and how our brains work have made this learning journey even more enriching.
I look forward to my classes and am making steady progress. Everything from the booking experience on the portal to the facilities at the venue are first rate and take away all the stress of administration that I have gone through while trying to explore previous alternatives.

Am planing to continue investing in my coaching sessions with Mark and cannot recommend him and learntoswim enough ....Thanks for everything you do Mark!

Onwards & upwards!