I'm curious as to your preference, so I decided to start a poll. I've been swimming outdoors all summer. It's been brutally hot, with high humidity most of the summer, which I notice, causes more fatigue and cramping, despite my intake of bananas, lots of water, etc. I also have allergies. There are the usual outdoor pool issues, but aside from that, if you had a choice to swim in a 25 yard pool or swim indoors in a more temperature controlled environment, what would you prefer and why?
Kind of limited choices in the poll. I assume those are the only choices you have available? Living where I do (Chicago area), swimming outdoors is a treat, so I'd always pick that over indoors.
In my state, yes. We don't have outdoor heated pools for swimming in the winter. My post is based primarily on my love for swimming outside vs. swimming in extreme heat and humidity in water temps over 86 degrees. I wondered if others would still prefer outdoor over indoor pools. If you have other poll suggestions, let me know. :)
I should also add that the smaller community pools are extremely hard to do backstroke in (no flags, lines, or ropes) and get very choppy very fast, which of course, requires more energy for me. I have vertigo issues so I find the choppier the water, the more it throws off my inner ear.
I trained indoors my entire age group (Maryland/Virginia) and collegiate careers (Texas). Back then, I wanted nothing more than to be able to train outdoors.
Now, I train outdoors pretty much all year round between my home in Arizona and (much of my) business travel to California. While outdoor training can be awesome, I could use A LOT less sun exposure all year round, A LOT more warmth in the winter (e.g., morning lows in the 30s and 40s are not pleasant) and A LOT more cool in the summer.
My dream pool would be one with a retractable roof, but, failing that, if I could only train in one pool for the rest of my life, though, it would be a close call between the IUPUI Natatorium and the Texas Swim Center:
www.iunat.iupui.edu/.../Nat.jpgwww.tgce.com/.../tsc-main.jpg
Indoor, because I have heat intolerance issues, and I would like to save my skin! Having said that, there is nothing I love more than a good, long open water swim when I can get to an ocean or a lake. :bliss:
Elaine do choppy waters bother your Meniere's at all?
Kind of limited choices in the poll. I assume those are the only choices you have available? Living where I do (Chicago area), swimming outdoors is a treat, so I'd always pick that over indoors.
Having grown up swimming in California, I will always choose outdoor swimming over indoor. Nothing better than a mid day swim in a (heated) outdoor pool in January or February when the air is chilly but the sun is shining. If your pool has chillers/aerators for the summer and heaters for the winter - outside swimming is always awesome:)
Yes, there is one public pool in So Cal with a retractable roof. There is a Masters team that works out of that pool, but its a very closed group. They are only a workout group. They do not compete in swim meets, or triathlons etc. Can you provide a link?
Regarding swimming in outdoor pools during summer months. This may sound slightly crazy, but on those mini heatwaves we just had, I chose to utilize the indoor pools in the area to stay out of the sun.I completely understand. Whenever I can and I'm there, I choose an indoor pool in California - there are a few that are good for training.
Yes, there is one public pool in So Cal with a retractable roof. There is a Masters team that works out of that pool, but its a very closed group. They are only a workout group. They do not compete in swim meets, or triathlons etc.
Regarding swimming in outdoor pools during summer months. This may sound slightly crazy, but on those mini heatwaves we just had, I chose to utilize the indoor pools in the area to stay out of the sun. Mostly for two reasons: 1) the sun was heating up the outdoor pools to uncomfortable levels for regular outdoor pool lap swimmers; and 2) to stay out of the UV rays when they are at their worst.
I am fortunate to be able to swim indoors, or outdoors, year round. Pools closed for Labor Day, lucky me I can swim in the bay. The local bay is 74 at the moment. Even non-regular swimmers could tolerate that temperature.
Have a nice Labor Day weekend everyone.
I much prefer swimming outside than inside. Even in winter when it can be tough getting from pool to locker room...I still very much prefer an outside pool. Especially when I can sneak outside for a noon swim workout.
I'm moving in a few months and noticed that there's several masters teams in town. The fact that some swim indoors and some outside will definitely influence which team I eventually join (together with location, overall facilities, coach, workout times, and other swimmers).
