This is not intended to be another rant thread on the topic. There are more than enough of those here already.
Our pool director just jacked the pool temp up. He said he is responding to complaints from the aquarobic folks and because the local schools are bringing kids in for lessons. He said it was 82 today, but I don't believe it. It's usually between 80 - 82, and it was a whole bunch warmer today. We couldn't really work out at all, and ended up just going back and forth. I ditched my cap for the first time in maybe 6 months, but it didn't help. We all got overheated anyway.
Can anyone point me to a study about the hazards of a bunch of fat old dudes (and, of course, our much svelter dudettes) trying to go too hard in tepid spa water? Or any study relating to the dangers of overheating while exercising? It occurs to me that a pool that is slightly too cold for comfort for some may be an annoyance, but a pool that is too hot may be a danger. Most of the stuff I found after a quick search relates to pregnancy. I'm not even a little pregnant. As far as I know.
Parents
Former Member
The water temerature reading from the pump and from the middle of the pool (depending upon the size and surrounding air temperature) can vary significantly. Water temperatures above 84 degrees are commonly refered to as therapy pools and learn-to-swim pools (young children). Mary Riley Magee (owner of a learn-to-swim pool / program in San Antonio) keeps her pool in the 90's). She successfully attracts hundreds of families to her program because she knows it's all about comfort. Warm water is indeed more comfortable and acts as an attractant to it. We all need to be concious of the need to promote one of the wonderful life-time sport / activity in the universe.
With that being said, coaches can get more work from their swimmers when the water temperature is between 78 and 82 degrees (a prerequisite for competitive high school pools in Michigan). It's also very easy to cool down a pool for competition. Practicing in 83 and 84 degree water may draw a few complaints from some die-hard competitors but let's look at the greater good (attracting little ones). I know that when the water temperature is below 80 I have a more difficult time getting in the water and I can imagine what it must feel like to a skinny little kid. When I have a choice between training in our 84 degree therapy pool and our 81 degree competition pool and I'll pick 84 everytime.
If find yourself in water over 84 degrees, simply reduce high intensity sets and religiously monitor your target heart rate (220 minus your age). You can get a safe and productive training session in warm water.
P.S. If you have an outdoor pool and the water temperature pool is between 84 and 86 I'd like to train with you. We'll get a bunch of swimmers, We'll make some Margarittas (one per hour), we'll train under the stars. Sounds cool to me! Look at the next Thread ( The perfect training session).
The water temerature reading from the pump and from the middle of the pool (depending upon the size and surrounding air temperature) can vary significantly. Water temperatures above 84 degrees are commonly refered to as therapy pools and learn-to-swim pools (young children). Mary Riley Magee (owner of a learn-to-swim pool / program in San Antonio) keeps her pool in the 90's). She successfully attracts hundreds of families to her program because she knows it's all about comfort. Warm water is indeed more comfortable and acts as an attractant to it. We all need to be concious of the need to promote one of the wonderful life-time sport / activity in the universe.
With that being said, coaches can get more work from their swimmers when the water temperature is between 78 and 82 degrees (a prerequisite for competitive high school pools in Michigan). It's also very easy to cool down a pool for competition. Practicing in 83 and 84 degree water may draw a few complaints from some die-hard competitors but let's look at the greater good (attracting little ones). I know that when the water temperature is below 80 I have a more difficult time getting in the water and I can imagine what it must feel like to a skinny little kid. When I have a choice between training in our 84 degree therapy pool and our 81 degree competition pool and I'll pick 84 everytime.
If find yourself in water over 84 degrees, simply reduce high intensity sets and religiously monitor your target heart rate (220 minus your age). You can get a safe and productive training session in warm water.
P.S. If you have an outdoor pool and the water temperature pool is between 84 and 86 I'd like to train with you. We'll get a bunch of swimmers, We'll make some Margarittas (one per hour), we'll train under the stars. Sounds cool to me! Look at the next Thread ( The perfect training session).
