Swimming prohibited

Former Member
Former Member
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
    Former Member
    Maybe I'm missing something here? Since this is the US MASTERS Swimming web site, has anyone thought about finding a US MASTERS swim team they can join. There are numerous clubs listed for both New York and DC here (www.usms.org/.../search.php), and you can find some of their web sites here (www.usms.org/.../usmsclubs.htm). I would challenge ANYONE to explain to me how they cannot find a team in two of the most densely populated metropolitan areas in the nation. If you are on a MASTERS team, you do not have to worry about kids, dog-paddlers or jet-skis. Your team has the pool for the workout time, and everyone there knows the drill. PLUS, you usually get a coached workout (or at least one that someone else prepared, so you stay out of your rut) and the camaraderie of your teammates. Many teams actually have lower dues to join the team than what you would pay to be a member of the facility they use (you are merely limited to the times the team has the pool). So, drop the Lone Ranger routine, and join the collective. Resistance is futile. ;) Matt
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  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Maybe I'm missing something here? Since this is the US MASTERS Swimming web site, has anyone thought about finding a US MASTERS swim team they can join. There are numerous clubs listed for both New York and DC here (www.usms.org/.../search.php), and you can find some of their web sites here (www.usms.org/.../usmsclubs.htm). I would challenge ANYONE to explain to me how they cannot find a team in two of the most densely populated metropolitan areas in the nation. If you are on a MASTERS team, you do not have to worry about kids, dog-paddlers or jet-skis. Your team has the pool for the workout time, and everyone there knows the drill. PLUS, you usually get a coached workout (or at least one that someone else prepared, so you stay out of your rut) and the camaraderie of your teammates. Many teams actually have lower dues to join the team than what you would pay to be a member of the facility they use (you are merely limited to the times the team has the pool). So, drop the Lone Ranger routine, and join the collective. Resistance is futile. ;) Matt
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