23 y/o male completely new to lap swimming. Please Help!
Former Member
So I am currently in college and have always wanted to swim laps in a fitness capacity. Unfortunately for me my high school did not offer a swim team and I was never really exposed to lap swimming. I can swim and have run cross country in high school and long distance events throughout college. That was, until I dislocated my right knee while playing hockey. Since then, I have been seeking an ultra light impact cardio and total body alterternative, ala swimming. Given my relative noobie status to the sport, I have been dealing with many mental hurdles which are preventing me from getting into the pool. These hurdles are:
-Pool ettiquete: I don't want to ruffle any feathers.
-Where to start my workouts: Swimming isn't an issue. I grew up on a lake and have swam since age 5. I'm sure I'll get my
butt handed to me during my first day in the water, but that's what I want. I want it so long as I know I'm going in the right direction.
-Solo or in a group: I have rights to a 25 yd pool within my college gym, but we do not have a masters team or college club which also uses this pool. Should I try to make a friend at the pool so we can each push ourselves?
*And the question which I'm sure all of you get from us new swimmers, what should I wear to the pool on my first day in order to not look like a complete fool? In the past while swimming relatively long distances, I always struggled with my board shorts falling down my pants. I don't want this at all while swimming my first training laps. Many guys wear either the longer competition suits or Speedos. I'm not afraid to wear a speedo at all. I wear briefs on a daily basis and would welcome wearing speedos while training if they perform better, but if a Speedo is the right suit, should I opt to wear it in the pool day 1?
Any help is super appreciated and I really can't wait to join you all in the pool!
-Solo or in a group: I have rights to a 25 yd pool within my college gym, but we do not have a masters team or college club which also uses this pool. Should I try to make a friend at the pool so we can each push ourselves?
Since you're in State College, PA, I found this masters team in town:
www.athletics.psu.edu/.../masters_swimming.asp
I'd contact them and see if you can drop in and test it out. Most teams are pretty open to that.
As to what to wear when you swim...whatever you're comfortable with. On my team some guys were jammers, some briefs, many wear a mesh drag suit. Heck even among women you'll see some who wear bikinis, some full things, etc.
If the practices are not closed, go watch the team practice and just see how they circle, stop at the wall, space out from one another, adjust their stroke so they don't hit each other.
Get a practice jammer or brief made of 100% polyester.
Have fun with it. There have been lane manners articles written here, just search for them. They are good.
Hi J_Duff,
Have you checked out our Frequently Asked Questions section or our Masters Swimming 101 series? Both of these portions of our website were designed to help you feel more comfortable with beginning your swimming routine.
Frequently Asked Questions: www.usms.org/.../faq.php
Masters Swimming 101 series: www.usms.org/.../articlesearch.php
--
T. Luke Shaheen
Web Developer | U.S. Masters Swimming
W: 941-556-6275 | TLShaheen@usms.org
www.usms.org/admin/natoffice.php?mid=06WUS | FB: www.facebook.com/usmastersswimmingfanpage
Since you're in State College, PA, I found this masters team in town:
www.athletics.psu.edu/.../masters_swimming.asp
I'd contact them and see if you can drop in and test it out. Most teams are pretty open to that.
As to what to wear when you swim...whatever you're comfortable with. On my team some guys were jammers, some briefs, many wear a mesh drag suit. Heck even among women you'll see some who wear bikinis, some full things, etc.
That's a good idea. Thanks for the advice. I'm now shopping for suits and I'm going to buy both a jammer and a brief to see what I prefer. Do you all have any preferred brands and/or styles which you feel are best? Thanks for the assistance!
Hey, thanks for all the input everyone. I bought both a jammer and brief. I'm laughing at myself now because everyone could care less as to what I was wearing. Glad that's over. So this was my first workout. It wasn't
crazy long, but I worked on stoke form and stride length. Do you think I'm on the right track?
8 x 100 with 45-60 second rests
3 x 200
Hey, thanks for all the input everyone. I bought both a jammer and brief. I'm laughing at myself now because everyone could care less as to what I was wearing. Glad that's over. So this was my first workout. It wasn't
crazy long, but I worked on stoke form and stride length. Do you think I'm on the right track?
8 x 100 with 45-60 second rests
3 x 200
Welcome to the swimming world! Glad to see such an interest on your part :) Your workout looks like a good start - I would encourage you to also incorporate some drills into your pool sessions so that you can develop your technique and prevent injuries.
