Hey guys.
It's in the first few hours of 2009 right now, and I've resolved to join a gym and incorporate several weekly swimming workouts into my fitness regime. I bet no one has ever made that resolution before, right? I thought I would say hello to what seems like a great, knowledgeable, and supportive swimming community.
I have zero experience, myself. I know how to swim if by "knowing how to swim" means "not drowning." But after I've immersed myself in reading a few hours worth of threads to get my toes wet, so to speak, in the world of swimming, I realize how much I don't know. Like technique, form, etc. It's almost overwhelming.
Personally, I'm a male in my mid-20's, finishing up a graduate-type degree. I have a BMI around 23, and am in reasonable shape from half a year of playing tennis three times weekly. I decided that a local YMCA is probably the best bet for me. I have no desire to swim competitively (yet), only to swim for fitness.
So, a few questions:
I'm purchasing a pair of swim goggles definitely. But is it necessary to purchase a Speedo swim suit? When I join a new sport, I like to do things right. I only have board shorts (quite long ones at that). Do many male swimmers wear speedos at pools like the YMCA? It would feel kind of ridiculous to swim in all the fabric of my board shorts, but I don't want to be the only guy in spandex.
Also, in terms of pool schedules, do you have to personally sign up for a lap lane or can you just hop in a dedicated lap lane when it's available on the schedule?
What's a good resource for beginning my swimming experience?
Thanks, and I'm glad to join this community!
Parents
Former Member
Do yourself a favour and don't wear long board shorts. The one time I swam in something similar, I couldn't believe how much drag it created.
Besides the Speedo brief, there are styles of swimsuit that create low drag, such as jammers (looks like cycling shorts) or the square-leg brief, which comes higher up the hip and lower on the leg. Competitive swimmers sometimes choose draggy suits on purpose, but for starting out, you want to give yourself a chance to feel momentum.
During lane swim times, you don't need to book a lane. Just look for a lane where people are swimming about your speed (start with slow lane-mates and move up if you have to) and LET THEM KNOW you are planning to join them. If there is only one other person, that person may ask you to "split" the lane, which means you each take half. If there are already two people, they'll ask you to "circle", which means up one side, back the other. Sometimes a single lane-mate will ask you to circle, if the pool is busy and they anticipate a third or fourth person joining in.
You can always ask the lifeguards for advice on anything you aren't sure of. Good luck, and have fun!
Do yourself a favour and don't wear long board shorts. The one time I swam in something similar, I couldn't believe how much drag it created.
Besides the Speedo brief, there are styles of swimsuit that create low drag, such as jammers (looks like cycling shorts) or the square-leg brief, which comes higher up the hip and lower on the leg. Competitive swimmers sometimes choose draggy suits on purpose, but for starting out, you want to give yourself a chance to feel momentum.
During lane swim times, you don't need to book a lane. Just look for a lane where people are swimming about your speed (start with slow lane-mates and move up if you have to) and LET THEM KNOW you are planning to join them. If there is only one other person, that person may ask you to "split" the lane, which means you each take half. If there are already two people, they'll ask you to "circle", which means up one side, back the other. Sometimes a single lane-mate will ask you to circle, if the pool is busy and they anticipate a third or fourth person joining in.
You can always ask the lifeguards for advice on anything you aren't sure of. Good luck, and have fun!
