Any advice for someone looking to start swimming for excercise?

Question

I’ve heard swimming is a great way to get in shape and would like to get started. I get to the gym at 5:30 a.m. and mostly see older men and women sporting the dorky swim caps, speedos and goggles. Do I really need all that stuff or can I get away with regular swim trunks? Also, how long is a good swim session? Any draw backs to using the gym pool...I figure the clorine maybe be strong, but at least it's early enough that people with weak bladders have not left their presence behind. Thanks in advance for your help and support of my journey to a perfect body.

Answer 1

just believe that u'll get it one day.

and take advice of pros

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he'll be ready to answer all your q's

Answer 2

Swimming is great excessive and very easy on your joints.  I'm sure most people would prefer you DON'T wear speedos.  You can wear swim caps if you have washing chlorine out of your hear, I have never worn one.  

I would recommend some goggles, as they allow you to see better in the water and avoid the red-eyed chlorine sting.

Swimming can be hard if your not used to it, I'm a regular on the treadmills and ellipticals and I can barely make if half an hour in the pool before I feel like I'm dying.  Lol...

Answer 3

swimming isnt as effective if you are trying to improve your body as other forms of cardio but it can be good for a change. its fine to wear your normal swimming trunks at the gym you definitely dont need to wear speedos, probably about an hour would be a good session but it depends on how hard you work of course and what your goals are

Answer 4

Go for it. Swimming is an awesome way to burn calories. Just do it for like 45 minutes a day or you can join a masters club.

I know that I have more motivation if I'm training for something specific.

Go for the goggles at least. You need to be able to see where the wall is and the avoid other swimmers. Unless you have super unirritable eyes of course.

If you swim regularly you might want to get a cap, because otherwise your hair will get an unmistakable sheen and will get bleached lighter (I have dark brown hair and its a little lighter, but I wear a car. The hair on the back of my neck, which isn't covered by the cap is very blond and fine from the chlorine)

And don't worry about pee in the pool. Its not an issue because pee spreads out and gets killed by the chlorine.

Answer 5

Wear what you are comfortable in.  You're not out to make an impression on anyone else.

As for swimming lessons, it would help depending what level you are at.