It's been a tough summer for me. I have not been getting in my laps as I have in the past.
I live in Forest Hills, Queens, NY. I work 45+ hours a week. My swimming options are limited. Here's why I have been missing workouts in the pool, while opting for dryland workouts:
YMHA(Young Men's Hebrew Association)
This is the closest pool to my house. Costs $400 a year. It's closed from Friday night until Sunday afternoon. The pool is clean and the staff is professional. But like most pools, the lap section is dominated by crusty old men and women who float or do doggy paddle, making laps impossible.
Queensboro Community College
Gotta take the LIE or Grand Central, so I'm facing traffic delays just to get to the pool. Very limited hours and it's closed three months out of the year. Sometimes the elderly take over the lap lanes for doggy paddle and floating.
Queens College
Nights only. Closed Friday.
Aspalt Green
The best pool in New York City area. Lots of lanes. Clean. Serious environment. It's 1:10 mins from home. It's so expensive. $875 is the cheapest rate. But I have to admit, swimming here is just awesome.
Wanted to let everyone know that I was asked to stop swimming at a lake in Pennsylvania on Thursday. I happened at Beltzville Lake Park. There are three sections. The center is where kids and families play. If it gets crowded, they open the side sections.
Before I hit the water, I told the lifeguard that I'd be swimming in the empty section to avoid colliding with everyone. After about 30 minutes, another lifeguard told me that I have to swim in the center section with everyone else.
I exploded!!!!!!
This was the straw the broke the camel's back. I told the lifeguard that this is wrong. You have this big lake, with kids splashing and pissing in the water, adults on speed boats and jet skies, but a man can't actually SWIM in the water.
So I've come to the conclusion that if I'm going to maintain a fit lifestyle, I'm only going to be able to swim once a week. I'll have to hit the gym the rest of the week, where I'm guaranteed to get a complete, uninterrupted workout.
It's a shame, but most pools emphasize horseplay by kids or attract elderly people who just take up space. You'd never see this in the weight room or on the cardio equipment. I wish I could say the same about the pool.
Parents
Former Member
Hi there,
Wow- I’m really sympathetic! I can completely empathise with what you said about how the old people can float in the water, the wee ones (every pun intended!) can…well, pee in it, but it is almost impossible to actually SWIM in most public swim places… I’ve had out and out near fist fights in the public pools in central London- there have been many, many times that I can home FUMING, cursing every form of pool life… Actually, the reason that I became interested in Masters swimming was so that I could actually get in the pool and SWIM!
On that note (and I’m sure that I’m not going to suggest anything that you haven’t already done), have you sought out a masters group? What about a J.C.C.? They sometimes have swim teams for adults… the Y? Any really early local lap swims??
Again, I know that it can be frustrating…and time consuming! Out of all the sports that I’ve done over the years, swimming, for some reason or another, can sometimes be the most problematic (I’m currently having issues with my dear husband about my newly acquired habit of getting up at 5am to get to a 6am practice- geez, some people are such light sleepers! ;) )- and the most rewarding!!
Good luck!
Hi there,
Wow- I’m really sympathetic! I can completely empathise with what you said about how the old people can float in the water, the wee ones (every pun intended!) can…well, pee in it, but it is almost impossible to actually SWIM in most public swim places… I’ve had out and out near fist fights in the public pools in central London- there have been many, many times that I can home FUMING, cursing every form of pool life… Actually, the reason that I became interested in Masters swimming was so that I could actually get in the pool and SWIM!
On that note (and I’m sure that I’m not going to suggest anything that you haven’t already done), have you sought out a masters group? What about a J.C.C.? They sometimes have swim teams for adults… the Y? Any really early local lap swims??
Again, I know that it can be frustrating…and time consuming! Out of all the sports that I’ve done over the years, swimming, for some reason or another, can sometimes be the most problematic (I’m currently having issues with my dear husband about my newly acquired habit of getting up at 5am to get to a 6am practice- geez, some people are such light sleepers! ;) )- and the most rewarding!!
Good luck!
