Help me swim successfully!
April 3, 2006 2:50 PM Subscribe
What is the proper etiquette for swimming laps at a gym?
I just joined a gym that has a lap pool, and I will start swimming laps daily as part of my fitness regimen. I have never swum laps in a gym pool before, and I'm not sure how it works.
The pool at my gym is divided into two lanes, but each lane appears wide enough to accommodate two people; if there's a swimmer in each lane, should I swim a length behind the swimmer in a lane, or create my own lane next to the swimmer in a lane, or what?
Each time I've been to the gym thus far, there has only been one person in each lane, so I haven't been able to observe a more-trafficked situation to see what is done; there doesn't appear to be a reservation system, it seems to be open swim always, and I want to make sure I don't create bad swimming karma by swimming in someone's way.
I just joined a gym that has a lap pool, and I will start swimming laps daily as part of my fitness regimen. I have never swum laps in a gym pool before, and I'm not sure how it works.
The pool at my gym is divided into two lanes, but each lane appears wide enough to accommodate two people; if there's a swimmer in each lane, should I swim a length behind the swimmer in a lane, or create my own lane next to the swimmer in a lane, or what?
Each time I've been to the gym thus far, there has only been one person in each lane, so I haven't been able to observe a more-trafficked situation to see what is done; there doesn't appear to be a reservation system, it seems to be open swim always, and I want to make sure I don't create bad swimming karma by swimming in someone's way.
Is there a lifeguard on duty? If so, they may be able to tell you what the pool ettiquette is. It can vary from pool to pool; some places split lanes, and some places want people to circle (a necessary development if you are sharing a lane with more than one person.)
In addition to picking the lane that most closely matches your spped, it's considerate to try to get someone's attention to let them know you will be joining their lane, rather than just droppping in. They may tell you if they prefer to split the lane or circle.
posted by ambrosia at 2:59 PM on April 3, 2006
In addition to picking the lane that most closely matches your spped, it's considerate to try to get someone's attention to let them know you will be joining their lane, rather than just droppping in. They may tell you if they prefer to split the lane or circle.
posted by ambrosia at 2:59 PM on April 3, 2006
As mentioned the lanes will generally be ranked fastest to slowest so find a lane where you're comfortable.
Generally you swim always on the right just like driving (I have no idea if this is reversed in the UK or Australia ;) Sometimes if there are only two in the lane they may split it so that they don't have to swim around each other. As mentioned if someone is right on your tail try to get out of the way at the wall. You should be able to notice when someone else is catching up.
posted by bitdamaged at 3:00 PM on April 3, 2006
Generally you swim always on the right just like driving (I have no idea if this is reversed in the UK or Australia ;) Sometimes if there are only two in the lane they may split it so that they don't have to swim around each other. As mentioned if someone is right on your tail try to get out of the way at the wall. You should be able to notice when someone else is catching up.
posted by bitdamaged at 3:00 PM on April 3, 2006
Bitdamaged: at every pool in the Uk I've been to, it alternates lane by lane so that the people swimming nearest each other across the divide are heading in the same direction. That way there's fewer head on passes, which can cause collisions of arms and legs under the divide.
posted by godawful at 3:05 PM on April 3, 2006
posted by godawful at 3:05 PM on April 3, 2006
godawful is right, that the official etiquette is to always swim in a loop. But in my experience, enough people prefer to split the lane that (especially if you prefer it) it's worth it to get the attention of the swimmer and ask if they want to do that. If a third person comes along, they can then ask you all to make a loop.
I'd always get someone's attention before starting to swim, at least make sure they've seen you. To avoid feeling awkward about getting someone's attention, I stand at the head of the lane and put on my swim cap and goggles slowly, or stretch... Another trick is to hop in, as though you were going to start swimming, and stand there on the end (putting on goggles, stretching). Unless this person is doing a fast set with flip turns, they'll probably acknowledge you when they get to your side and you can see what they prefer.
posted by salvia at 3:05 PM on April 3, 2006
I'd always get someone's attention before starting to swim, at least make sure they've seen you. To avoid feeling awkward about getting someone's attention, I stand at the head of the lane and put on my swim cap and goggles slowly, or stretch... Another trick is to hop in, as though you were going to start swimming, and stand there on the end (putting on goggles, stretching). Unless this person is doing a fast set with flip turns, they'll probably acknowledge you when they get to your side and you can see what they prefer.
posted by salvia at 3:05 PM on April 3, 2006
I second joining the lane that is swimming at the same pace as you. It makes everything so much more efficient.
posted by kechi at 3:22 PM on April 3, 2006
posted by kechi at 3:22 PM on April 3, 2006
At the Y here in Toronto, the general rule (and there's signs propped up in front of each lane) is that if there's two people you can split the lane between you and just go back and forth, but as soon as there is more than two people you swim in a loop, counterclockwise.
posted by chococat at 3:23 PM on April 3, 2006
posted by chococat at 3:23 PM on April 3, 2006
What Salvia, godawful, chococat, and doubtless others on preview said. Ask, and you're likely to see a general preference for splitting until a third arrives.
Every now and then you'll get a karmic reward for good etiquette--a totally still, empty lane and nobody standing in the shallow end stretching and waiting to disturb you.
Note: ymmv. Ksrma can only be apportioned by the cosmos.
posted by Phred182 at 3:32 PM on April 3, 2006
Every now and then you'll get a karmic reward for good etiquette--a totally still, empty lane and nobody standing in the shallow end stretching and waiting to disturb you.
Note: ymmv. Ksrma can only be apportioned by the cosmos.
posted by Phred182 at 3:32 PM on April 3, 2006
Circle swimming. Our pool has a sign that specifically says "this is how to circle swim" which says that you swim in a loop and if you're speeding up too much for the person in front of you, you tap them on the toes and then pass them at the next wall. When there's only two people, we always just split the lane. People don't choose lanes by speed but usually it's just split grandparent-age in one and student-age in another, no matter how fast anyone is swimming, or it will split boys/girls. I find if I get there right when the pool opens I can get a lane to myself and sometimes an entirely empty pool.
If I'm already swimming in a lane and someone else comes in and all lanes have one person in them already usually they'll wait til I'm at their end of the pool and make some sort of "mind if I share?" gesture before they start swimming. It's pretty perfunctory since what am I going to do, say no? but it means you're not surprised backstroking into someone else when you thought the lane was empty.
posted by jessamyn at 6:42 PM on April 3, 2006
If I'm already swimming in a lane and someone else comes in and all lanes have one person in them already usually they'll wait til I'm at their end of the pool and make some sort of "mind if I share?" gesture before they start swimming. It's pretty perfunctory since what am I going to do, say no? but it means you're not surprised backstroking into someone else when you thought the lane was empty.
posted by jessamyn at 6:42 PM on April 3, 2006
As an aside, in Australia you do swim on the left (all the time, in my experience) and everything except lane splitting applies. I've never seen or heard of lane splitting.
posted by jacalata at 7:11 PM on April 3, 2006
posted by jacalata at 7:11 PM on April 3, 2006
When there are several people in the lane and you're all following each other in a loop, when you turn, cut the corner at the end of the lane so that you can push off in a straight line. Otherwise, if there's someone fairly close behind you, you'll have to negotiate round them when you push off / they'll have to get out of your way.
posted by hmca at 9:51 AM on April 4, 2006
posted by hmca at 9:51 AM on April 4, 2006
This page has a pretty comprehensive look at general etiquette.
Two things that have not been mentioned yet in this thread (which apply to you less because your pool seems empty, but are worth knowing):
1. If you are taking a break, stand as far to the edge (as close to the lane line) as you can. Other people have to turn. If someone turns so that they practically hit you, they are telling you you're too far over.
2. Do not push off right in front of someone else. If they are coming in for their turn, let them turn & give them five more seconds. If they are standing at the end of the lane, staring at the pace clock, they are doing an interval set. Do not push off.
posted by dame at 1:29 PM on April 4, 2006
Two things that have not been mentioned yet in this thread (which apply to you less because your pool seems empty, but are worth knowing):
1. If you are taking a break, stand as far to the edge (as close to the lane line) as you can. Other people have to turn. If someone turns so that they practically hit you, they are telling you you're too far over.
2. Do not push off right in front of someone else. If they are coming in for their turn, let them turn & give them five more seconds. If they are standing at the end of the lane, staring at the pace clock, they are doing an interval set. Do not push off.
posted by dame at 1:29 PM on April 4, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
Dont' swim too close, and always let people overtake if they're coming up behind. Try to time it so they don't have to slow down at all, as this will mess up whatever rhythm or system they're swimming to.
posted by godawful at 2:53 PM on April 3, 2006