Much ado about Swimming
So, let me preface this post with a little background. I was a lifeguard for 5 years of my life and taught swim lessons at a private swim club with a highly competitive race team. I guess all that has jaded me in the swimming world - I'm used to people who know what they're doing and respect the pool area (especially lap swimming).
That being said... holy crap... public gym pools..... *cries*
I went to the gym today to get in one last 1000m swim before MFF and was greeted by a circus of people that, by all accounts, should have been on a playground instead of in a pool. I got the swim in, and relaxed in the sauna for some time after, but just in case anyone out there is going to swim laps in the near future (it's amazing full body exercise) and needs to brush up on their poolside etiquette, here are my:
Top 5 Things NOT to Do in a Lap Pool: (as experienced by Dane on 11/18/09)
1) Play Frogger - There was an old dude (60-ish) who decided that he didn't need to pick just one lane. At that, he didn't even need to swim! He was content to bob up and down, from lane to lane, narrowly missing swimmers as they went by. Don't be that guy...
2) Share a Lane w/ Higher Level Swimmers - This is a judgement call. Sharing lanes will always happen, especially at smaller pools, but it's important to try to share with someone of a similar skill level. This thrashing lady bumped into the poor guy next to me 3 times. Eventually he asked to share my lane, which was fine because he could actually swim.
3) Make Out - They don't call my gym the "Gay Bally's" for nothing I suppose. But seriously, people are trying to work out right next to you. At least take it to a corner of the locker room... =P
4) Strut for Nothing - If you look good in a speedo, then believe me, I applaud you and will gladly look. But If the only reason you're in the pool area is to show off some abs and a bulge, you're taking up space. Move along. Join those above two in the locker room.
5) SPIT IN THE POOL - Now, spiting out water is ok. Everyone needs to. But this old dude (different old dude) really let one rip after sucking in with nauseating volume. We're talking full blown golden loogy. Yuck. Just.... yuck.
Ick, after writing that I need a shower....
That being said... holy crap... public gym pools..... *cries*
I went to the gym today to get in one last 1000m swim before MFF and was greeted by a circus of people that, by all accounts, should have been on a playground instead of in a pool. I got the swim in, and relaxed in the sauna for some time after, but just in case anyone out there is going to swim laps in the near future (it's amazing full body exercise) and needs to brush up on their poolside etiquette, here are my:
Top 5 Things NOT to Do in a Lap Pool: (as experienced by Dane on 11/18/09)
1) Play Frogger - There was an old dude (60-ish) who decided that he didn't need to pick just one lane. At that, he didn't even need to swim! He was content to bob up and down, from lane to lane, narrowly missing swimmers as they went by. Don't be that guy...
2) Share a Lane w/ Higher Level Swimmers - This is a judgement call. Sharing lanes will always happen, especially at smaller pools, but it's important to try to share with someone of a similar skill level. This thrashing lady bumped into the poor guy next to me 3 times. Eventually he asked to share my lane, which was fine because he could actually swim.
3) Make Out - They don't call my gym the "Gay Bally's" for nothing I suppose. But seriously, people are trying to work out right next to you. At least take it to a corner of the locker room... =P
4) Strut for Nothing - If you look good in a speedo, then believe me, I applaud you and will gladly look. But If the only reason you're in the pool area is to show off some abs and a bulge, you're taking up space. Move along. Join those above two in the locker room.
5) SPIT IN THE POOL - Now, spiting out water is ok. Everyone needs to. But this old dude (different old dude) really let one rip after sucking in with nauseating volume. We're talking full blown golden loogy. Yuck. Just.... yuck.
Ick, after writing that I need a shower....