Every single time I practice in the pool I start off in a weird way - as if my muscles are asleep or something(I feels like I do not move what my potential allows me) and only some time throught he work-out it clicks and I start swimming faster , easier and smoother.That probably is nothing strange, 'cause obviously muscles need some warm-p first.
That brings me to the following question: at meets(any level - up to Olympics) do swimmers prefer to warm up somehow(maybe go for a short swim) and is that even possible to do, i.e. are there usually certain areas for that?
Parents
Former Member
You've already received some good replies, but I'll add the following:
Most USMS meets I've been to allow two forms of warmup:
1) Prior to the start of the meet, and sometimes part way through it, all of the competition lanes are opened up for warmup.
2) There is usually some area (which may be a single lane) open throughout the meet for warmup and warmdown.
Of these, the first is the more valuable, since (1) it lets you warmup in one of the actual lanes in which competition is going to occur, which will let you get used to the appearance of the pool markings and flags so you can properly time your turns, and (2) there is usually a one-way lane designated for practicing starts. But the area that is available during the meet can allow you to do a special warmup for each event.
You've already received some good replies, but I'll add the following:
Most USMS meets I've been to allow two forms of warmup:
1) Prior to the start of the meet, and sometimes part way through it, all of the competition lanes are opened up for warmup.
2) There is usually some area (which may be a single lane) open throughout the meet for warmup and warmdown.
Of these, the first is the more valuable, since (1) it lets you warmup in one of the actual lanes in which competition is going to occur, which will let you get used to the appearance of the pool markings and flags so you can properly time your turns, and (2) there is usually a one-way lane designated for practicing starts. But the area that is available during the meet can allow you to do a special warmup for each event.
