Lap Swimming
If you're going to make swimming a regular part of your exercise routine, you'll probably be going to a gym or public pool, so you'll be sharing the pool with others. To make this pleasant, rather than stressful, you'll need to follow the posted rules at your pool. For example, most pools post signs asking you to shower before entering the pool. Removing body oils, after-shave, perfume, and sweat before getting in the water helps keep the water cleaner and may help reduce the amount of chlorine used.
The one sign that is not typically posted but would be a healthy reminder is the “empty your bladder before swimming” sign. Some people are so excited, pressed for time, or both that they quickly change their clothes and head right into the pool, when suddenly their bladder begs for attention. Don't be one of them.
Most pools are either 25 meters, 25 yards, or 50 meters long. If you like to motivate yourself, you can learn the distance of one length of your pool. Then, by counting the number of lengths you've swum (and the time it takes), you can figure the distance swum and chart your progress. If it took you 45 minutes to swim a mile three months ago, and now you're doing it in 35 minutes, you know you have gotten faster and fitter.
A lap refers to a sort of circuit, which in this case means you start at one end, reach the other end, and return to where you started. A lap is typically 50 yards, 50 meters, or 100 meters, depending on the pool. Swimming 1 mile in a 25-meter pool is the equivalent of swimming 65 lengths. Swimming 1 mile in a 25-yard pool is the equivalent of swimming 72 lengths. And finally, swimming 1 mile in a 50-meter pool is the equivalent of swimming 32.5 lengths.
Some pools have designated rules about lane sharing. If there is no sign posted and all the lanes are occupied, wait a few minutes and survey the situation. Find a lane where the swimmer or swimmers swim similarly to you. “Similar” can mean either stroke or speed. For example, if you plan to swim freestyle, it could be risky to share a lane with someone doing the backstroke or elementary backstroke. And if you are slower than the shark that is swimming in the same lane with you, it could be uncomfortable for both of you.
Unless the swimmer is swimming for time intervals, it is generally acceptable to interrupt and to ask to share the lane. If the swimmer is rigorously swimming intervals, wait until a rest or break in the workout to interrupt. Before you share the lane, ask the swimmer how he or she prefers to share the lane. If it is just the two of you, it is acceptable and oftentimes preferred to split the lane into left and right halves, claiming one side for each swimmer. For situations in which there are multiple swimmers in one lane, you swim in a counterclockwise direction. Think of it as traveling in the flow of vehicular traffic in the United States by staying to the right side. In this case, stay on the right side of the black line on the bottom of the pool.
