We all know the benefits of swimming for both our physical and mental health, however, unlike other forms of exercise, swimming needs a little more preparation in advance. Whereas you can simply throw on your gym gear and head for a run or a cycle, swimming isn’t that easy, but it’s worth the extra bit of effort. With that in mind, we’ve put together a quick checklist of everything you’ll need to consider before heading for any swim. So, without wasting any more time, let’s dive right in.
Equipment and Clothing
When you go for a swim, there are several things to think about in terms of equipment such as do you need goggles or are you happy to swim without them, do you prefer a soft swim hat or one that is latex, etc. In Ireland most swimming pools will require you to wear a swim cap, so that’s an essential, whereas the goggles might not be. Speaking of essentials, you’ll need swimwear whether that’s a swimsuit, shorts, bikini, or something else, ideally if you are doing swim training you want something that is well-fitted, but comfortable. These are all things you need in the pool itself, outside the pool is just as important, as you might need flip-flops or other suitable footwear to walk around, a towel to dry yourself, and a change of clothes to slip into after your session.
Key Components:
- Swimwear
- Swim Cap
- Goggles
- Flip-Flops
- Change of Clothes
- Towel
Pre Swim Preparation
Whether you’re heading for a swim lesson for you or your child or simply going for a few lengths in the pool to stay fit, it is vital you give yourself enough time to get ready before your swim. Before you hop in you’ll need to get changed into your swim gear, place your belongings in a locker and have a pre swim shower, which is mandatory in most swimming pools. Even after that you might want to give yourself time to perform a few warm-up exercises either in or out of the pool before getting going on your swim. If you’re using a local swimming pool it is also a good idea to check the timetable to make sure you can use it during certain hours depending on if they run swim lessons as the pool may have restricted access during these times and there’s nothing worse than building up for a splash, only to realise you can’t get into the pool.
Nutritional Advice
Lastly, another thing people often query is nutrition when it comes to swimming. In terms of food, you want to ensure you have enough energy to make the most of your swim, but you also don’t want to be too full, so ideally eat a balanced meal 2-3 hours before your session and make sure you have a plan in place for food following it too as swimming can make you quiet hungry compared to other forms of exercise. Away from food, a common mistake people make when swimming is underestimating the amount of water you need to stay hydrated. Swimming is a full body exercise, and while it may feel like you’re not sweating, your body is using a tone of energy as well as water resources, so it’s vital that you drink plenty of water in advance of your session, as well as during your session, which means it’s a good idea to bring a bottle of water with you to every swim.
Our Splashing Conclusion
So, there you have it a quick and easy guide on the essentials you need to think about before taking a dip in the pool. Whether it’s for you or your children, it’s important to prepare for your swim in order to make the most of your time in the pool. It could be simply arriving early with all your equipment, or eating the right food in advance, any little advantage you can get, take it. What’s undeniable is that when you come prepared and get into that pool, there’s a limitless number of benefits to be gained from being in the water.
How Aura Leisure Can Help
At Aura Leisure, we host Ireland’s largest Swim Academy, with swim lessons for children of all ages and abilities in order to help them learn a vital life skill. While to prepare your little one for our Swim Academy, our Junior Swim Academy, caters for babies and tots, allowing them to build confidence in the water ahead of progressing to the Aura Swim Academy. Even better still if you are an adult that’s never learned to swim or someone looking to improve their technique, we offer Adult Swim Lessons, or if you simply want to add swimming to your fitness routine our pools are the perfect place for you. What’s more is that our members get access to not only our pool, but also our health suite, gym, fitness classes, fitness programmes, InBody and InGrip technology, plus much more at no extra cost.