swimming pool temp??

Originally posted by mandymoo I just recently moved into a new apartment complex with a pool and started swimming some laps to get into shape. the water is way to cold for swimming laps, or swimming in at all really. i don't know what the temp of the water is but it feels like its refrigerated and you try to swim in it and your muscles tighten and cramp. I want to say something to the landlord but i'm not sure about what the safe temp for swimming is, i have an idea of what it is but i'm not sure. Generally accepted pool temps for workouts range from 78-82. But anything over 70 up to about 85 is doable for most people - though temps at both ends require some getting used to. I know that a lot of people that are used to swimming in cold Pacific Ocean water start to whine and complain about the water getting "hot" somewhere around 70 degrees. The English Channel is generally swum in water from the mid 50s to low 60s. That takes a LOT of getting used to. The temperatures YOU will find most friendly will be the result of a combination of what you have gotten used to and how hard you are working. At high intensities you'll find lower temps much more comfortable than if you are just piddle-paddling around. And what temperature the water feels like when you first get in has almost nothing to do with what it will feel like after 5-10 minutes of constant exercise.

Originally posted by mandymoo I just recently moved into a new apartment complex with a pool and started swimming some laps to get into shape. the water is way to cold for swimming laps, or swimming in at all really. i don't know what the temp of the water is but it feels like its refrigerated and you try to swim in it and your muscles tighten and cramp. I want to say something to the landlord but i'm not sure about what the safe temp for swimming is, i have an idea of what it is but i'm not sure. Generally accepted pool temps for workouts range from 78-82. But anything over 70 up to about 85 is doable for most people - though temps at both ends require some getting used to. I know that a lot of people that are used to swimming in cold Pacific Ocean water start to whine and complain about the water getting "hot" somewhere around 70 degrees. The English Channel is generally swum in water from the mid 50s to low 60s. That takes a LOT of getting used to. The temperatures YOU will find most friendly will be the result of a combination of what you have gotten used to and how hard you are working. At high intensities you'll find lower temps much more comfortable than if you are just piddle-paddling around. And what temperature the water feels like when you first get in has almost nothing to do with what it will feel like after 5-10 minutes of constant exercise.