Swim Lane Etiquette
How to Properly Swim Laps
Mar 14, 2009 Clea (Hariklia) Simos
Are you and your joints tired of running on a treadmill; swimming is a great solution and it offers a change to the same old exercise routine. However, before getting into the fast-lane and splashing away, here are a few tips and some rules on etiquette when lane swimming.
Attire
The bikini that you wear to the beach will not cut it in the pool, you need a one piece bathing suit with preferably a racer back. This allows you to swim without having to worry about any body part popping out; regular bathing suits have a tendency to fall down from the drag in the pool when swimming laps. Drag, which is the water's resistance against you, is not all that bad. Doubling up on your bathing suit can give you a more challenging workout; like adding weights when doing aerobics.
Wearing a cap is also a good idea, not flattering, but a good idea. It keeps your hair out of your face which can be bothersome. If you have your hair down when swimming freestyle and take a breath between strokes only to get your hair in your mouth, you stop swimming; you wouldn't run without your laces tied.
Goggles are the final must when swimming lanes. For the most part of proper lap swimming you have to put your head in the water, in other words swim head down. You can swim head down without goggles but your vision is blurred and you eyes will most definitely get irritated in a chlorinated pool.
Swimming Laps Etiquette
Most pools hosting lap swims will have lanes marked off for various speed: fast, medium and slow. Some pools have a lap time for their lanes, so in order to swim in that lane you should be completing a lap there and back within a certain time. If there is no lap time, judge it by the other people in the lane:
- if you are being passed go to the slower lane
- if you are passing those in your lane, move to the faster lane
Also if you cannot complete a lap without stopping then you most definitely should not be in the fast lane. Having separated lanes is a good thing because there is always a level to aspire too, just like being able to run at a faster speed on the treadmill; except there is some competition in the water right there with you.
Also swimming laps is just like driving a car, always swim on the right side (swim up one side and come down the other). Be mindful of others in the lane; wait till the swimmer in front of you is almost half way down the lane before you push off the wall. However, this may not always be possible especially if you are not stopping at the wall and continuously swimming. If you are swimming at a pace time you also won't be able to stop and wait; but use your discretion, don't cause a traffic jam.
It is also smart to get a swim count when doing backstroke. That is the number of stroke it takes from the flags, hanging over the pool during lap swim, to the wall while doing backstroke, knowing this number will help prevent hitting your head when approaching the wall.
Swimming laps is a great way to spice up aerobic activity and can really get your heart pumping. Many communities have pools that offer lap swim times that can be found online, so your next swim may be just a few click away.
Swim Cap
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