Swimming for fitness

[EvianBaby]

I want do maybe do some swimming to get some excersize but im pretty nervous because im really not a strong swimmer and could maybe only manage one length of the pool before having to take a break. If i went to my local pool in the evenins where they have the lane open for adult swimming am i likely to get on everones nerves by being really slow and all together a bit crap?

Can anyone give me a few tips?

[twix123]

You should be OK. Normally the roped off lanes are wide enough for overtaking. Also not everyone is a potential Olympic champion!

[JonnyBoy12]

Sorry to hear that you are not the worst best swimmer but not everyone is. As long as you rest out of the way of the other swimmers then you should be okay. If anyone makes any snide remarks then just tell them the truth.

In my local pool it is so quiet that one adult swimmer can have a whole lane to his or herself. Just one last thing; make sure you go on a Adults only night.

[China Doll]

Well only if you go in the fast lane! You'll be fine, it usually says what lane is for what (fast, medium) and where it doesn't just have a look and see what lane looks most like your pace. You'll be alright!

[rockyracoon]

I've stopped going swimming it's too slow, we have three lanes, slow, medium and fast, what that actually means is, slow, slower and fast, if you're anywhere in the middle you're buggared. I go over with OH who goes in fast lane (he is fast), I go in middle lane as I'm faster than slow but not as fast as hubbie but the slow coaches don't like to admit that they are slow and get in the middle lane, pisses me off no end, I have to stop and wait after every length or I'll catch up with them. Feckers!

[sherrardk]

I didn't relise there was any sort of swimming pool etiquette - just thought people swam up and down however fast or slow they wanted to. Sounds Ike swimming on a motorway with three lane speeds.

[EvianBaby]

Thanks all, you've boosted my confidence a little about just having a go. Just looked at the time table for my pool -confusing or what! An hour one night dedicated to 'aqua'.... Whats that meant to mean?

I might sign up for aqua aerobics tomorrow then when im there i can speak to one of the staff about the best time for me to swim.

Might be a good idea to get a cosy first! :)

[boxtops]

I share your concerns, and the thought of lanes in the public pool terrifies me as I am still swimming with grown-up armbanks.... I joined a little private pool nearby, where often the couple of friends I go with are the only people in it. That's worth considering, if you have one.

[China Doll]

I would have thought aqua is aqua aerobics, it's good fun.

There is a pool eitquette and it really is incredibly frustrating when you are swiming at a certain pace and you can't get past the person in front of you who won't move to the correct lane, (or is slowly swimming alonside a friend and having a chat). I would consider that very rude. But that's why they have lanes and if you see someone swimming and think 'bugger me they're fast' then that's probably not the lane for you! :c) (It's how I judge whether I should be in that lane or not, I've also moved lanes when I've realised that everyone else has suddenly turned super speedy and I'm in danger of getting a foot in the face!)

[EvianBaby]

Glad im not the only one boxtops, it is a bit off putting for those of us who aren't good swimmers and a bit nervous in the water but swimming is such good excersise. I tried running for a while but the cold nights are a real put.

Thanks for all the advice China!

If i do it ill definfitely make sure im keeping an eye out for whats going on in the lanes around me. I get annoyed when people walk slowly in front of me in tesco, i wouldnt want to do that to someone in a pool.

One more thing, is it normally acceptable to take a towel pool side so i can hide in it as soon as i get out of the pool?

[China Doll]

Perfectly acceptable :c)

I know it can be daunting for people going in to a pool for the first time after a long time out and it's especially nerve wracking given the lack of clothing required but honestly I hardly notice anyone else in the water, and the same is for most other swimmers. We're all there for similar reasons and it's a very single minded pass time, you're really only concerned about what you're doing and counting or timing your own laps. Don't be nervous.

[EvianBaby]

Thanks so much! Really encouraged me not to be self concious about it and just get on with it. Be prepared for more advice giving in a few days :)

[Andyvon]

I used to swim a lot Evian. Many years ago I used to swim a mile a day (72 lengths in 23 minutes - 14 strokes a length) every lunchtime. Often I would swim 3 miles and sometimes 5 - all in council time of course! Then I got married, house, business etc........

Two years ago I started swimming again. Our local pool has now been redesigned to small mother and toddler pools, slides and one large pool divided into a shallow area used by children and just four lanes for other swimmers - two named 'slow', one 'medium and one 'fast' lane. I was able to swim a mile again but I could only do that if I had a lane to myself. The moment someone else joined the lane to swim the same speed we started to get in each others' way - every length. There isn't enough lane width to pass without bumping.

If you swim distances you almost enter a trance and the swimming becomes mechanical with you being aware only of the number of lengths. To keep bumping each other every length is most unsettling for both swimmers. If a third person entered the lane then swimming becomes difficult as the first two are forced to swim at the speed of the slowest. I was always finding myself slowing down behind someone then having to wait for them to turn before I could. The slower lanes usually had more people in and they were all swimming at the pace of the slowest.

The only times I could swim properly were at 6.30am when the pool opens or if I was lucky in the middle of the morning or afternoon. I gave up after a few months as it was just too difficult to swim when the public only have four lanes. The old pool had no lanes and everyone seemed to have plenty of space. Now they seem to have geared everything to children and toddlers and serious swimmers have almost been ignored.

I hope that hasn't put you off as swimming Evian as it is certainly very good for you. However, to answer your question everyone in your lane will be swimming at the pace of the slowest. That's not the fault of the swimmers - it's the fault of those who planned the pool that way. If you are nervous about your speed then swimming in mid-morning or mid-afternoon are quiet times.

I hope you have a good time and enjoy yourself.

[EvianBaby]

That's a lot of swimming Andy!

Don't worry, you haven't put me off. It seems as though you only got into problems because of the slower people - which would be me! so I should be ok.

I work in the day so can only really go in the evenings (there's no way I'm getting up any ealier in the morning than I have to) but I'll give it a go and see how it goes.

[TheOtherHalf]

after each length, just hold onto the side and float exercising your legs in different ways. Even just walking through the water will help. Then when youve got your breath back, do another length and so on.....

[islasmum]

You can always cultivate rich friends with their own pool - my friend's pool is not very big, but it has one of those wave machines, so you are constantly swimming against it - only trouble is that I'm not a very good swimmer and spend half my time trying to get off the back wall! Still, it's very good exercise, and has spoilt me for the swimming baths now!