I know USMS has this somewhere but.....I'm looking for an article, etc about what the water temperature should be for fitness swimming. Some of the ladies at my hospital-based health club are petitioning for the lap pool temp to go up to +84 degrees! It has been kept at 81-82 degrees which is ok. They want the water temp if they could up to 86 degrees! Can you direct me as to where I could find documentation that it isn't conducive to actively exercise in that warm of water? Also isn't there a higher cost for chemicals, etc? We fitness swimmers need help!:frustrated: Thanks.
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Former Member
Gloria,
Many others may find some different statistics for your question, but what I found at the American Red Cross is:
78 degrees for Fitness Swimmers
82 degrees for Recreational swimming
86 degrees for water therapy
It seems that some fitness swimmers (lap swimmers, masters, etc.) may overheat beyond 80 degrees which can lead to dehydration if they swim for more than an hour or so. But, again, because all of us have different body temperatures, some are happy with it and some are not.
Donna
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Former Member
Gloria,
Many others may find some different statistics for your question, but what I found at the American Red Cross is:
78 degrees for Fitness Swimmers
82 degrees for Recreational swimming
86 degrees for water therapy
It seems that some fitness swimmers (lap swimmers, masters, etc.) may overheat beyond 80 degrees which can lead to dehydration if they swim for more than an hour or so. But, again, because all of us have different body temperatures, some are happy with it and some are not.
Donna
