AGUA Masters Weekly Newsletter
A Note from Coach John
Train Smarter, Not Harder
You and your hypothetical twin brother have a competition to see who can beat the other at the next New York City marathon. You are identical in physicality and fitness level. He trains by running 26.2 miles three days a week, going all out. You also train three days a week, running 3 to 5 mile sets followed by wind sprints. As a result, you are going to crush your brother at the marathon next year. Why? Because you trained in multiple energy zones and he only trained in one. It works the same way in the pool.

Training specific energy zones with different durations and intensities will make you a faster and stronger swimmer. The seven training zones we use in our sport are based on the three main ways that muscle cells recycle energy during exercise: non-aerobic, anaerobic, and aerobic metabolism.
Proficiency in one energy system does not affect the others. This influences the way coaches develop sets within a workout. Our practices are broken into several zones based on the length and the intensity of the set.

So, if you want to be faster, stronger, and fitter – train in the zones.

As always, my door is open for any questions or concerns. Please feel free to email me at jbeck@asphaltgreen.org.

See you at the pool,

–Coach John
Up Next
USMS Membership
2020 memberships expire at the end of the year. Registration with USMS is mandatory. If you haven't done so already, you can renew your membership now.
-REMINDER- Set Up Your TeamUnify Account
In the coming weeks, AGUA Masters will be streamlining communications through TeamUnify. Please follow the steps below to ensure you won't miss a thing.
  • Validate your email address to activate your account. All active AGUA Masters members should have received an email from TeamUnify. This email will link you to your new TeamUnify account. Click on the link to activate your account. 
  • If it is not in your inbox, please check your junk mail folder and be sure to add the domain @teamunify.com to your safe-sender list.
  • Once your account is activated, you will receive instructions for login and password creation.

  • After creating a password and logging in, you will have the opportunity to install TeamUnify's mobile app, OnDeck. While downloading the app is not required, OnDeck will allow you to check practice schedules, see who's coaching, daily pool layouts, and the workout of the day – on the go.

Bonus: With TeamUnify it's never been easier to manage your workouts. Now you can register for practice right from the calendar.

If you have any questions or issues setting up your account, please don't hesitate to reach out to Coach John at jbeck@asphaltgreen.org.
Register for Practice Online

You may register for one swimming practice per day, at either Asphalt Green campus, up to two weeks in advance. View the schedule on TeamUnify.

Reservations for a two-week period open on Mondays at 10am. The second week of a two-week cycle is unlocked each Monday. Reservations are made on a rolling basis.

Reserve your spot:
Reminders
  • All persons entering Asphalt Green are required to complete a daily health screening prior to arrival. Daily health screenings will be emailed to when you reserve practice time. It can also be found online.

  • Please arrive on time and exit the facility promptly at the end of practice. You will be permitted ten minutes before and five minutes after your reserved practice time to enter and exit the facility.

  • Swimmers are required to wear face coverings when traveling to and from the pool deck. Face coverings may only be removed when the swimmer is entering the water. Swimmers are responsible for bringing their own plastic bag to store their face covering in designated areas on the pool deck.  

  • Pool deck traffic flow is redirected per City mandate.

  • Towel service is discontinued. Masters must bring their own towels as needed. Towels are available for purchase.

  • Swimmers should arrive in swim gear and avoid use of locker rooms. The steam room and sauna are unavailable. Per New York State Department of Health mandate (Article 165), a limited number of showers are available for a pre-and post-swim rinse only.

  • Deck changing is prohibited.

  • There is no shared equipment (kick boards, fins, paddles, etc.) in the pool. You are welcome to bring your own equipment. Please note that athletes are not permitted to store equipment or other personal belongings at the facility; however, if you currently rent a locker, you have access to it. New locker rentals are not available during this first phase of reopening.

  • Pool and water cleaning systems are fastidiously maintained, including disinfection with chlorine. A UV filtration system also disinfects our pools.

  • BioOx air purification system installed on the pool deck removes chlorine particles and improves air quality. The recently installed CASPR air filtration system neutralizes aerosolized viruses, including COVID-19.
FAQs
Do I have to be a member of Asphalt Green to swim with AGUA Masters?
  • Yes. COVID-19 has reshaped our industry. We were forced to make many difficult decisions, one of them now requiring that all AGUA Masters swimmers must be members of Asphalt Green.  

How do I make a reservation?

Where can I find the daily health screening?

Do I have to wear a face covering?
  • Yes. Swimmers are required to wear face coverings when traveling to and from the pool deck. Face coverings may only be removed when the swimmer is entering the water. Swimmers are responsible for bringing their own plastic bag to store their face covering in designated areas on the pool deck. 

What does the practice schedule look like?
  • Practice schedules vary slightly based on our new facility hours and other variables. In order to accommodate the 33% State and City capacity limitation, we have added practices where applicable. Please note that schedules are subject to change. View the schedule on TeamUnify..

How many swimmers will be allowed to attend practice?
  • Current capacity restrictions allow a maximum of six swimmers per lane at practice. The total number of swimmers at practice will vary by pool configuration.

What will practice look like?
  • After six months away from the water, practices will focus on re-acclimating and injury prevention. We will focus on social distancing just as much as swimming fast.