Swimming: How Do I Get Started?

It seems easy enough.
Get in the water.
Swim.
It’s great exercise.
So what’s stopping you? Though it seems like a simple concept there is often a lot of confusion and embarrassment for someone who wants to start swimming but doesn’t know how. What equipment do I need? (What? I need “equipment” to swim?) Where do I go? What should I wear? What’s “freestyle?”

I had a BOOTCAMP 619 client who had been wanting to start swimming for over ten years but just couldn’t get up the nerve to go to the pool and start. Even though he had grown up around water and knew how to “swim,” he was embarrassed that he would be a bother to the other people in the pool. He finally overcame his fears, gave it a try and found he loved it.

What do I wear?
Unless you are planning to skinny dip – which may be fun, but not great exercise – you are going to need a proper swimming suit. There are many fabrics that are designed for minimal resistance in the water and will resist the wear of repeated pool use. There are all sorts of styles and you are sure to be able to find one that will fit your comfort level at a swim store or online. The key to getting started is to make sure you are comfortable walking out of the locker room.

Goggles will not only protect your eyes from the chlorine but also help you see the guides in the pool. Most lap pools have marks on the bottom to show you where you are in your lane, as well as flags on the ceiling to know when you are backstroking toward the end of your lane. The may require a little wear before they become comfortable so don’t give up on them on the first try.

Some pools will require people with long hair to wear a bathing cap. You may also find this to be a personal preference to keep your hair out of the way. Caps made of latex, silicone, neoprene or Lycra are all acceptable. Choose one that fits you most comfortably.