My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

Exercise

swimming for fitness

997 replies

HoppityFrogs · 05/09/2016 16:51

I've started swimming to get fit, does anybody else swim for fit? Can we encourage each other?

OP posts:
originalmavis · 05/09/2016 16:53

Get into the bloody pool and swim for your life!

That help? I was going to go tonight but since I've been up since 4:30 with a poorly one, I'm zonked!

CMOTDibbler · 05/09/2016 16:53

I swim a lot - this summer I've been in a wild swimming group which has been fabulous.

HoppityFrogs · 05/09/2016 18:02

Wild swimming sounds great if only I wasn't scared of sharks
I've never done it.

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 05/09/2016 18:57

Not many sharks in the river round here! Scariest thing has been swans and the teenagers on the bridge telling us 'you can't swim in there' bless them, they were shocked that a group of older ladies (am the youngest by far at 43) would be rule breaking like that Grin
Its very relaxing once you get your head round it - I'd swum in lakes before, but the dark water thing is different.

Do you have a nice pool to go to? Ours is pretty good - I swim mostly at lunchtime so I get to feel reasonably speedy, but evening lane swimming is taken over by the swim club

orenisthenewblack · 05/09/2016 19:02

I want to start too. Our local pool has just reopened today.
What I need to overcome os having to wash and dry my hair before work and again after swimming. It's a faff! Do people use swimming caps? Blush

CMOTDibbler · 05/09/2016 19:38

Swimming caps don't keep your hair perfectly dry - though I wear one as it does protect your hair. I just don't wash my hair if I'll be swimming later

HoppityFrogs · 05/09/2016 19:55

Nobody was using swimming caps at the pool today. We've got a lovely indoor and outdoor pool on the same site - today I went for the outdoor one but it closes for winter soon.

Oren go for it - it's quite rewarding when you get going. Is it long since you went?

OP posts:
thissismyusername · 05/09/2016 19:57

i swim for fitness and went open water swimming in the Adriatic this summer, I don't dark water and murky ponds though maybe I could get over it.

I don't wash and dry my hair every day anyway, just after swims, same as CMOT

HoppityFrogs · 05/09/2016 19:59

I couldn't swim in dark water either, I hate it. In my teens I did wild swimming in large lakes but never again! Some were hundreds of metres deep, never again!

OP posts:
yeOldeTrout · 05/09/2016 20:24

Isn't Giardia a risk, from wild swimming?
I bit bullet & got a swimming membership 8 days ago, eek. I will try to swim 2x / week on avg. Swimtag is ace, btw, if your pool offers it! I always lose count.

yeOldeTrout · 05/09/2016 20:25

ps: I have the world's ugliest swim cap. It's XL, though, accommodates my big bonce & too much hair.

CMOTDibbler · 05/09/2016 20:34

The water quality in our river is OK, and we risk assess according to the rain, water flow etc. Haven't been even itchy after swimming yet. Some of the lakes otoh have recurrent problems with algae and people getting skin issues.

I have a big head and long hair, so swear by the TYR long hair silicone hats.

HoppityFrogs · 05/09/2016 20:42

Swimtag looks great, it's not at our local pool unfortunately. I might mention it though, it's having a big refurbishment in the new year.

OP posts:
orenisthenewblack · 05/09/2016 20:45

I used to swim 40 lengths twice a week now it's twice a year. I have promised my self to join and pay a monthly fee which would mean I could to any local authority pool any time.
Except if I wash my hair that morning it's enough reason for me not to go
I have clean hair today so will go to ladies night tomorrow Smile

TwoWeeksInCyprus · 05/09/2016 21:05

Hi, I'm planning to start next week, so would love some motivation too! Swimming for fitness (and weight loss of course, goes without saying) and also to strengthen muscles following many, many months of excuses and laziness Smile

I've signed up to this 12 week "swim the channel" challenge:

www.aspire.org.uk/aspire-channel-swim-2016?gclid=CK2S9uuB-c4CFUsq0wodOEwIwg

22 miles, and you can do it for sponsorship for Aspire Spinal Cord Injury charity if you like.

TwoWeeksInCyprus · 05/09/2016 21:08

Have just ordered a TYR hat CMOT! I can't stand swimming hats but also don't like what regular swimming does to my hair.

CMOTDibbler · 05/09/2016 21:21

The Boots Swim and Gym shampoo is great - my hair is in fab condition in spite of so much time swimming (plus getting washed a lot from running and cycling)

TwoWeeksInCyprus · 05/09/2016 22:49

Thanks CMOT, I'll look out for that when I'm in town.

ivykaty44 · 06/09/2016 07:14

I swim before work, thus negating the need to shower twice or my hair.

Leave everything ready the night before and just go straight to pool breakfast afterwards at work from tipper ware.

Job done

thissismyusername · 06/09/2016 07:48

Going after work tonight

orenisthenewblack · 06/09/2016 11:18

I've just checked the nearest pool to work and the open at 8am Mon, Weds and Fri, so that's doable. Half an hour swim, quick shower, hair and makeup, work by 9. Maybe?

yeOldeTrout · 06/09/2016 21:59

Pools vary a lot, don't be afraid to shop around. Reasonable water and air temperature, lack of drafts, cleanliness, suitable changing rooms, decent showers, no gawdawful odours, good times, decent price (and most importantly) good lane discipline from the regulars, suitable size lanes.... I've decades to become fairly fussy & very luckily my 2nd nearest pool is my fave.

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

ivykaty44 · 06/09/2016 23:27

I must admit I gave up on municipal pool, I was swimming three times a week and it was cost £12 but times were so varied

So I looked at private gym and joined as it was ( at the time )£62 per month. The pool was clean, always has landed swimming from 6:30- 21:30 and I can swim everyday if I choose. Hairdryers, heated floor, nice showers with a spin dryer and shower gel.

For the extra £8 per month it was worth it. Added to which I get 27 spin classes, 10 body pump, yoga, body conditioning, gym floor, weights room, sauna and jacuzzi.

8 years on I still go and use the gym at least 12 times a month, so I get my money's worth and as it's a clean pleasant environment I continued going.

yeOldeTrout · 07/09/2016 12:15

£62/month, yowza. My swim membership is £18/month & I thought long & hard about that. I suspect that most people don't use their gym enough to get value back from a £62/month membership -- but great if you aren't most people.

HoppityFrogs · 07/09/2016 16:26

I'm a member at our local - £30 a month and that includes the gym, fitness classes, court high for badminton and squash, the health suite with sauna, aromatherapy room, steam room and hot tubs.
I swim 5 times a week so I get good value for money.

OP posts:
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.