If Katie Ledecky, Simone Manuel or good old Michael Phelps have made you want to take another look at your local pool, the main reason you’re holding back is probably the question: what should I do when I’m in the pool? Here’s how to turn a day at the pool into a satisfying workout.
This guide is for people who already know how to swim, whether you think you’re good at it or not. If you need more advanced training than that offered here, check with your local pool for adult beginner courses. You can also check with your local lifeguard team, which may seem intimidating but is really just a swimming club for adults of all abilities.
Prepare Before You Go
First, find a pool and gather your equipment. Most large public pools have at least a few lanes available for lap swimming, and now that the kids are going back to school, you’re much more likely to have the place to yourself if you go at an off-time. Be sure to check the pool’s schedule in case you need to schedule children’s sessions or water aerobics classes.
You can swim in any swimming costume, but you’ll be more comfortable in one that doesn’t drag in the water and doesn’t slip when you move. That’s why men’s swim teams wear tight-fitting trunks rather than shorts, and women prefer one-piece suits with sliding backs.
You will probably also want to wear a pair of swimming goggles. They should fit snugly around your eyes, and you can test this in the shop by sliding them over your dry face. If they fit well, you will be able to create enough suction that they will stick to your face momentarily. You can swim without goggles, but you are more likely to bump into the edge of the lane as you cannot always see where you are going.
A swimming cap is not essential, but it is a good idea if you want to keep long hair away from your face, or if you want to protect your hair from that greenish tinge it can acquire after many dives in the pool.
