Workouts in warm water

My pool is kept at about 84°. Occasionally it's warmer. That temp is a compromise between those that want a cold pool and the older water exercise people who want a warm pool. It's cooler only when the heating system goes down. :bliss: I have become used to swimming in a warm pool but still don't like it. I drink lots of water during a workout and about half of the ice water in my bottle gets poured over my head. I will also take longer rest intervals when I feel hot.

Warm water swims are not fun. We depend on aerators down here in the swamp to keep the pools relatively cool. I can recall one season as an age group swimmer when our main pool pump went down and we were circulating water from the learn to swim pool which brought the temperature up into the upper 80s. Coaches stood on deck with garden hoses and sprayed us down between sets.

80-82 isn't really warm to me. My pool occasionally gets well above that when the stupid lifeguards don't change the thermostat overnight. But warm water is definitely more tiring. I notice that I become much more dehydrated swimming in water > 82. I run out of gas much earlier and feel far more exhausted at the end of practice.

This has been discussed before... You might check out these old threads: Proper relationship of air to water temperature in an indoor pool forums.usms.org/showthread.php Poor ventilation/warm water forums.usms.org/showthread.php Help with pool temperature forums.usms.org/showthread.php

I think your heartrate runs much higher in warm water - that would explain being extra tired. For me - it runs about 12 beats higher on average for the same set / pace.

"Workouts in warm water" suck, 80 isn't bad, 82 is getting too warm it's difficult to do longer sets at hard paces in warm water. I suggest you do short swims with longer rest allowing time to cool down between each swim. That should keep you from feeling too over heated. If it's really warm, 85+ do stroke drills, or spend 5 minutes in 5 minutes out if it's 105, you're in a hot tub, hold your babe in one arm and a brew in the other New member to this forum. Used to swim masters for about 6 years, that was 10 years ago. I've been back in the water doing 30-40 min, 1200-1500 yds workouts trying to maintain 4-5 times a week since about two months ago. I'm trying to get back to what I used to do in my masters' workouts 2000 - 3000 yds in the same time. I know that I have a long way to go to get there, but today I felt slow and weighted down. Is there some correlation to warm water temps (80-82 degrees) combined with warm air temps (85-90 degrees) and feeling lethargic during workouts?? I felt like I was towing a sea anchor during my workout. I've felt this way before while swimming masters, but never asked anyone about it. Thanks in advance, any info is appreciated. Chris

I don't have any published studies, only my own experiences. I swim at the Y, where the water averages 84*. The days the water is warmer (86*), I can't get through the day without a nap. This last week the water has been 82-83*. While still too warm, I have not needed a nap, and it has been the first week where I will have swum 5 days without feeling exhausted. Since this is an indoor pool with some ventilation, it's hard to judge the air temperature, but when it's hot and humid, I sink. It has been 100* the last 2 days at my house, with very low humidity--in the teens--and that may have contributed to my extra energy. So...I agree with your correlation. Perhaps some 'Zoners could pipe in with their experiences.

Warm water workouts totally wipe me out. If the ambient air temp is high as well, things only get worse.

Thanks all for the info. Glad to read I'm not alone. Its another warm one today, so I'll take a little longer between sets and see it that helps. Again, thanks for the responses. Chris

Warm air sucks too. literally. Colder air is denser--more oxygen per breath.