Showering Before Getting in Pool

Aside from that, it helps prepare for the cold water temperature if you shower with cool/cold water. I think all it accomplishes is making you cold before getting in the water. If you stand around on a pool deck wet you're going to get cold. Count me as a never shower before getting in.

Thought of this while reading the "Swim Rant" thread. Okay-- totally anonymous poll: do you shower before getting in the pool for swim practice? In Ontario it is a (Provincial) Health REQUIREMENT not only in Public pools but in Clubs as well. However, as you might have guessed, hardly ever enforced. I do it to avoid the remote but possible eventuality of being embarrassed by being called on it (by either a zealous lifeguard or an overzealous fellow swimmer.) I once had to call the lifeguard's attention to a swimmer whom I saw in the shower area (I was finishing my swim and he had walked through the shower area directly to the pool area —without showering—) not because he hadn't showered but because his body was covered in open, red and obviously irritated, oozing sores. He was asked to leave the pool. (The Health signs posted could not be missed by a blind person's seeing-eye dog.)

Wow, total surprise by the poll. I thought the vast majority do take a shower. Everywhere I go it is a requirement. Aside from that, it helps prepare for the cold water temperature if you shower with cool/cold water. Saturating yourself with fresh water before entering the pool also helps reduce chlorine absorption through skin, and prolong the life of your swimsuit. Besides, aren't you supposed to wet your hair before putting on the swim cap? FWIW, the shower is free :cool:

I sit in that heated hot thing with water spewing from the walls. That counts doesn't it? I always felt that sitting in one of those things made me *more* dirty. Public hot tubs are pretty gross. One of the pools I swim in (with my kids--not for training) requires people to shower before entering but they don't really enforce it. They have two shower heads right on the pool deck. Most people that actually "shower" just dash themselves under one of these for about 20 seconds. Does that count as a shower?

Our pool has signs about showering before you put your suit on. We even have signs telling bathers that underwear is not allowed in the pool. it seems the growing trend over here is to just wear your regular shorts with briefs/boxers under. I only shower when I am at the pool on my free time, or with the girls for their swim lessons. if I get to the pool at 19:40 and practice doesn't start until 20:00 I am not going to shower then freeze (as mentioned above) for 20 minutes on deck.

There is a guy where I swim, who I saw get out of the pool and go into the showers to urinate with the water running and then hop back into the pool again. Seriously, is it that hard to use the bathroom? Now that my gross story is over, I will add that I do take a shower before entering the pool.

It is also a requirement here in Taiwan. Wearing a swim cap is a requirement, too. Keeps lots of unwanted stray hairs out of the pool and filters. Not only is it more sanitary, but it probably cuts down on cleaning costs, as well.

Now can someone list the benefits of not taking a shower, to yourself and others? It does save you 2 minutes of time, but then you could have saved tons of time by not brushing your teeth or washing your face every morning.:cool:

I usually don't unless I'm really sweaty. I'm less grossed out about unshowered people than I am with people with really long hair not wearing a cap in the pool. Inevitably, that hair ends up in my fingers..ick!

In addition to showers, pools should have also have a “Bidet” installed on each “WC” in the restrooms. A Bidet (also known as a “washlet” or “douche”) is a personal hygiene appliance which can really help with eliminating the risk of recreational water bacteria and they're quite common in Japan and europe.Dolphin 2 Creepiest post ever on the forum.