(upbeat music)
- The majority of us have to
do our swim training in a public pool
and this can pose some challenges.
Unless you're really fortunate
to have a lane to yourself,
then you are going to be sharing that space
with fellow swimmers
and if you're trying to a precise training plan,
that gets a little bit tricky.
I think it's fair to say that all of us here at GTN
have had our fair share of public swimming experiences,
some good, some less so.
But as a result, we have learnt a few tricks that work
which I'm going to be sharing with you in a moment.
And as you can probably see, this pool behind me here
at Playitas Resort in Fuerteventura
is not your average public pool,
but that's not going to stop me sharing my tips
and making you better prepared
for your next public swim session
so you can make the most out of your very valuable time.
Before you even get to the pool,
it's a good idea to check the list of kit
that might be required.
Obviously, appropriate swimwear goes without saying
but some pools insist on you taking a cap, for example.
So, if you're not sure, it's a good idea
to chuck one in your kit bag
so that you're ready and prepared.
And other than that, there's not many pieces of kit
that I can imagine they would insist on you bringing
but there are a few pieces of kit
which sometimes aren't allowed.
For example, we recently put out a video on GTN
on how to swim with a snorkel
and quite a few of you guys commented beneath that
saying you weren't actually allowed
to use a snorkel in your pool.
So, it is a good idea checking,
and if you missed that video,
then why not go and check it out
and whilst you're there, give GTN a like and a follow.
And then, there's swim paddles.
They're usually discretionary
but it's still probably not a good idea
to turn up with paddles the size of bucket lids
and try to make your way down a really busy public lane.
(calm music)
It might sound obvious
but when you turn up to your public swimming pool,
you need to check which direction the lanes are going in.
If you think I'm crazy,
if you live in the rest of Europe or the USA,
yes, we do actually swim in alternate directions
and there will usually be a sign at the end of the lane
telling you that.
And wherever you are, it's a good idea
to check the speed of the lane
as most will be labeled slow, medium and fast.
And here, you need to ignore your ego
and be honest with yourself
as to which lane you're best suited to.
And I know some people's perception of fast
might be very different to somebody else's,
so if you observe for a moment,
it can end up saving you a lot of frustration
when you're actually in the middle of your session
if you've found that correct lane.
And if you're really lucky,
it might be fairly quiet in the pool.
If there's just one other person in your lane,
why not ask them if you can share
and just go up and down on either side?
And that way, it really won't matter
if you're swimming at different speeds.
And I personally find that if you're already doing that,
then someone else is less likely to join your lane.
It's a bit of a trick that works
although I don't want too many people to know
as it might not work so well.
If you are able to have a bit of flexibility
with your training,
then it's a good idea to go
and speak to the lifeguard at the pool
and find out when the quieter periods are
and if you can, tailor your really tough key sessions
to be a session that's when the pool's really empty,
you'll get a lot more out of it
and you can stick to your specific times
and work really hard.
And then, for your other sessions
that aren't maybe quite so key,
it doesn't matter if it's so busy
and you can still adapt them slightly within,
if say you're swimming in the fast lane
and even that is too busy or too slow,
think about how you can swim slower
but for the same effort.
So that could be, say, adding in
some drag pants for resistance,
doing purely pull work, so taking out the legs,
or flipping it round and just doing some kick work.
Anything that's still going to have you
working at a high intensity
but naturally just going a bit slower.
(calm music)
Realistically though, even if you're in a lane
with similar pace swimmers,
you're probably going to find that
you're going at different intensities
or taking a rest at a different time.
So, with that in mind, you need to be mindful of others
and it'll be a far more enjoyable experience
for all of you if you are.
And when you come into the wall
at the end of a repetition,
just make sure you move to the side of the lane
so there's plenty of space for the next person to turn
as there's nothing more frustrating
than coming in in a middle of a hard bit,
you need to turn on the wall
and there's three people across the whole lane
stood there chatting.
Or maybe there's one person but they're stood in the middle,
you go to go one side of them, they go that way as well,
it gets a little bit awkward.
And I have used this trick in the past,
so say it's busy, but people could move out the way
and they haven't, then come in, do your flip turn
but make sure you just finish shy of them
then you'll make sure nobody gets hurt
and if you do it with a big splash,
they'll usually get the hint.
The biggest problem of swimming with others
is communication, it's not like you can let someone know
that you want to pass when you're swimming
as you can when you're cycling or running.
So, you actually have to communicate
to a slightly physical way.
But I'm not meaning pushing people out the way here,
I'm talking about just tapping their toes.
So, if the swimmer in front genuinely is a bit slower,
they should hopefully stop
when you get to the end of the lane
and let you past.
If they don't quite get the hint,
then it's fine to tap their toes a couple of more times
but if all else then, then you're going to have to
try and overtake them.
And if the pool's fairly quiet
and you've got enough acceleration,
just pull out and see if you can go round them
and tuck back in again as soon as you're past.
And if that's not an option, then you can actually
cut off a little bit of the length
and turn just in front of them, so do a dead turn,
but that way, you can get in front.
Front crawl is probably the most user-friendly stroke
if you are sharing a lane with a lot of other swimmers,
but let's say you want to do a bit of breaststroke
then just be aware of how wide your kick is
and also, keep an eye out for others
who might have a rogue, extremely wide kick
because that whip kick action can be pretty painful
if you come into contact with it.
And then there's backstroke,
which obviously, you can't see where you're going
when you're on your back,
so be aware of the ceiling if you are swimming indoors.
Some pools even have diagonal lines
going in the wrong direction,
so just check that first
'cause you could find yourself going up
the wrong side of a lane without even realizing.
And whatever stroke you're doing,
use the lane ropes and that black line down the middle
to guide you.
And then there's one stroke I haven't mentioned,
yep, it is butterfly.
It might send shudders down your spine
but it can be very useful.
If you can manage, say, a couple of lengths
of really strong butterfly, it's quite intimidating
and it might deter others from joining your lane
and maybe even make one or two
of the swimmers in your lane move over.
And if you can find a couple of you
or maybe even three to do some butterfly,
it'll soon create some space
and I have to admit, I'm slightly guilty of this one.
And there is something about power in numbers,
so, say you've got a few friends
who you know swim at a similar pace to you
and you want to do the same session,
then go to the pool together
because you're more likely to end up
with a lane to yourselves and almost a mini squad
if you are training at that same pace.
The most important thing to take with you
when you go to your next public swim session
is your patience.
So, go there open-minded
with the ability to adapt your session if you need to
and you'll find, you get so much more out of your training.
But maybe you've got some tips or tactics
that work when you go to your public pool.
If so, then do share them with us
in the comments section below.
And give us a like and a follow over at GTN.