Swim faster, smoother, and with less effort—by fixing your technique
Already know how to swim—but feel like you’re just getting through your swims?
At Chicago Blue Dolphins, we help adult swimmers move from:
“Just swimming laps”
to
Swimming with control, efficiency, and purpose
Whether you’re training for a triathlon, swimming for fitness, or just want to feel better in the water—we’ll show you exactly how to improve.
Our classes are technique-focused, highly individualized, and built around clear skill progressions rather than generic workouts.
Our next group class session begins on Monday, June 29, 2026.
New to Swimming?
We recommend that you take at least one of our Learn-to-Swim courses before doing our Strokes courses.
Had Some Lessons?
Schedule a skills assessment, so we can evaluate your skills and place you in the right class.
Schedule a Skills AssessmentWant Private Coaching?
Choose private or semi-private lessons for a more personalized learning path.
Book Private LessonsStill not sure? Call us at (773) 342-7250 or complete our registration form, and we’ll help you choose.
Why Most Adult Swimmers Plateau
Most adult swimmers don’t struggle because they aren’t working hard enough.
They struggle because:
- They’ve never been shown how to swim efficiently
- They repeat the same stroke without focus or feedback
- They don’t understand what to feel or change
- They try to fix everything at once
The result?
- You get tired quickly
- Your stroke feels inconsistent
- Progress stalls
That’s exactly what we fix.
Our Approach: Technique First, Then Training
We teach swimming as a technical skill first—then build it into endurance and performance.
Each class follows a simple process:
1. Break the Stroke Down
Understand balance, position, and movement patterns
2. Build It Back Up
Connect the pieces into a smooth, coordinated stroke
3. Move to Easy, Focused Swimming
Take your improved stroke into full-length swimming
4. Train with Purpose
Use pacing, tempo, and structure to improve performance without sacrificing efficiency
This is what allows adult swimmers to improve faster—with less wasted effort.
Who This Program Is For
This program is designed for swimmers who:
- Can swim at least 50 yards of freestyle or 25 yards of the other three strokes
- Want to swim farther, faster, or more efficiently
- Feel stuck or plateaued in their progress
- Want technique-focused coaching—not just workouts
It’s a great fit for:
- Triathletes
- Fitness swimmers
- Masters swimmers
- Adults returning to swimming
Not Sure If You’re Ready?
You should be able to:
- Swim 50+ yards of freestyle with rhythmic breathing
OR - Swim 25+ yards of backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly
If you can’t meet these requirements, we recommend doing our Freestyle Foundations or Three Stroke Foundations classes to start with the fundamentals before moving into the more advanced technical and training concepts.
Because our classes have clearly defined entry and graduation requirements, we recommend starting with a skills assessment so we can place you into the class that best fits your current abilities and goals.
Learn More About Our Program
If you’re ready to get started, continue to the next section to choose the option that best fits your needs.
If you’d like to learn more first, use the links below to explore our classes, teaching approach, and training structure.
- How You’ll Improve
- Class Pathways
- How Our Classes Work
- Our Training Environment
- Group Class Tuition & Enrollment
- Private Lessons
- Class Schedule
- What Comes Next (PACE Swim Training)
Ready to Get Started?
There are three ways to move forward depending on your experience level, goals, and preferred learning format.
1. Schedule a Skills Assessment
Most adults begin with a skills assessment so we can determine which class in our progression best matches their current swimming abilities.
Our classes are structured around specific technical skills, stroke patterns, and performance benchmarks. Because swimmers enter with very different backgrounds and experience levels, we want to make sure you begin in the class that will help you improve most effectively.
During the assessment, one of our instructors will evaluate your:
- Stroke mechanics
- Breathing patterns
- Balance and body position
- Timing and coordination
- Endurance and pacing awareness
We’ll then recommend:
- the best starting class,
- whether private lessons would be beneficial,
- and the best path toward your swimming goals.
Skills assessments are 25-minute private lessons and cost $62.
Adult Stroke Improvement group classes are $302/month with weekly classes and ongoing enrollment. A separate $25 annual membership/safety fee applies upon registration.
Prefer help registering? Call our office at (773) 342-7250.
To Register Online:
- Click “Expand ↓” next to Private Skills Assessment
- Choose the number of swimmers (note: if you select two or three swimmers, you must provide them)
- Select your coach preference
- Choose an available day and time
2. Schedule Private or Semi-Private Lessons
Private lessons offer greater scheduling flexibility, individualized instruction, and the ability to focus specifically on your unique stroke issues and goals.
Private lessons are ideal for:
- triathletes,
- adults returning to swimming,
- nervous swimmers,
- swimmers with highly specific technical issues,
- or adults who want accelerated progress.
We offer:
- 25-minute and 50-minute lessons
- private and semi-private options
- weekday, evening, and weekend availability
Many adult swimmers combine private lessons with group classes for faster progress.
Prefer help registering? Call our office at (773) 342-7250.
To Register Online:
- Click “Expand ↓” next to Private Adult Lesson
- Choose the lesson length and number of swimmers (note: if you select two or three swimmers, you must provide them)
- Select your coach preference
- Choose an available day and time
3. Request More Information or Get Help
Not sure where to start? We’re happy to help.
Fill out the form below, and a member of our office team will contact you to discuss your:
- current swimming background,
- goals,
- experience level,
- and scheduling needs
so we can recommend the best next step.
We’ll also send you a few helpful emails from info@chicagobluedolphins.com explaining how our adult stroke improvement classes work, what to expect, and how to choose the right option for your goals.
Prefer to speak with someone directly? Call us at (773) 342-7250 during office hours:
Mon–Fri: 9 am – 7 pm
Sat–Sun: 9 am – 5 pm
How You’ll Improve
Our classes use structured progressions and targeted drills so you can:
- Understand what your stroke should feel like
- Identify what’s holding you back
- Make precise corrections
- Build efficiency and endurance
Most swimmers notice improvements in:
- Breathing control
- Body position
- Stroke timing
- Overall efficiency
Class Pathways
Freestyle Stroke Refinement Classes
Three Strokes — Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly
These classes will work on all three strokes at the same time, so you can build proficiency in all the strokes in your practice sessions.
How our Classes Work
- Class Length: 60 minutes
- Class Size: Maximum 3 swimmers per instructor
- Structure: 4–5 week sessions with feedback and progression
Our Training Environment
Swim Studio (Endless Pools)
- Immediate visual feedback from mirrors and video playback
- Precise technique work
- Current swimming to force precise movement coordination
- Controlled environment for learning
Full-Size Pools
- Apply technique to training in your pool
- Build endurance and pacing
- Practice turns and race skills
This combination is what allows swimmers to improve quickly and consistently.
Group Class Tuition & Enrollment
- $302 per month
- Weekly classes (year-round)
- Cancel anytime
Many swimmers stay long-term to continue refining their technique and building performance.
Private & Semi-Private Lessons
Private lessons offer greater scheduling flexibility and control over the learning pace. We offer 25-minute and 50-minute private and semi-private lessons to our adult clients. We generally recommend a 50-minute private lesson for our adults to give you more time to learn new skills and practice the old ones. If you’ve taken lessons before or if you are unsure if private or group classes would be more appropriate, we offer 25-minute skills assessment lessons to help you make that decision.
| Lesson Type |
25 Minute Single | 25 Minute Five Pack | 50 Minute Single | 50 Minute Five Pack |
| Skills Assessment | $62.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Private | $92.00 | $437.00 | $179.00 | $850.25 |
| Two Swimmers (Per Person) | $62.00 | $294.50 | $123.00 | $584.25 |
| Three Swimmers (Per Person) | $46.00 | $218.50 | $92.00 | $437.00 |
Purchase a 5-pack and save 5%. The $25 annual membership fee applies as with group lessons.
Class Schedule
You can view the complete swim class schedule below. Use the filter icon (☰) to sort by day, time, class name, or instructor for the options that best fit your needs.
What Comes Next
Once you’ve built a strong technical foundation, you can:
- Continue refining your stroke
- Expand into additional strokes
- Transition into structured training
Many swimmers move into our PACE© Swim Training system for ongoing performance development.
Check out PACE