why is swimming so out of favour right now?

Going to agree with ninerbuff, on the cons. I'm a swimmer, but the prep time is a lot longer than getting on my bike or go for a run or just a walk. So I'm a swimming who hates swimming. When I go it takes about a mile before I am really OK with the back and forth boredom.

I grew up swimming and near the water, when I started with triathlons I met a lot of people who were just learning to swim (in their 20s/30s/40s) that was totally new to me. So a lot of people can't swim and obviously will turn up their noses, or aren't good swimmers and turn up their noses. Swimming isn't as natural as running...we're not fish. In Washington DC, the public pools are free and awesome (we have 25 yard/meter and 50 meter pools to pick from all over the city, and a 50m open air one come the summer that overlooks the Washington Monument. Not bad for a city.

As for hair maintenance, always wet it prior to swimming and put something like a Moroccan oil in your hair. It will protect it from the chlorine. I color my hair and the color and texture has been pretty good since I started doing this to it(I swim 2 or 3 times a week).

I am soooooooo happy that it's not trendy and a hassle for most--I like to have a lane to myself. Unfortunately it's pre-swimsuit, beach season in Italy, and my pool in Rome is full every spring, since everyon's trying to get in shape quick. I've been swimming for 20 yrs and can't live without it. We are lucky to have a pool near us in central Rome. I go with my husband 8:30-9:45 three to four times a week. We pay alot and have a fitness membership, so I can do all sorts of classes--yoga, gym, and then there's the whirlpool and sauna.

As for hair tips. I put on a reconditioner and put my hair in a high ponytail, then I put on a cloth swim cap (silicone will slide all over without it), and then on top of that a silicone cap. In this way my hair gets an hour conditioning treatment every time I swim. I have fine long hair, and it used to get so dry. Now it's in great shape.

most of the gyms locally do not have pools.. liability and irresponsible members . like steam rooms do not exist either cost of maintaining and member negligence

jgnatca wrote: »

Here's my hangup:

Old Ladies do it.

I agree with this on the classes, that looks about right for where I go. However the people swimming laps are a younger/mixed group

gothchiq wrote: »

The chlorine wrecks people's hair.

I think it is perfect. I know it is time for a haircut when I notice my hair is turning yellow. Then I go have it cut and it is all good again for a few weeks

Alidecker wrote: »

jgnatca wrote: »

Here's my hangup:

Old Ladies do it.

I agree with this on the classes, that looks about right for where I go. However the people swimming laps are a younger/mixed group

Not at my pool--I'm 60, myself. We do have all ages, but older people make up a big part of the morning swim.

A friend and I get together once a week and try a new activity. One day we went to "deep water running". It ended up being deep water aquasize with a new-fandangled name to trick people into it LOL. We laughed at first but you know what? It was really tough! We've been back a few times.

That being said, I have long hair and echo the comments of it being a nuisance. Going for a swim turns out to be a 2 hour excursion.

I love swimming for exercise! I don't because the only gym around me with a pool is PACKED all the time. Also, I took a swimming class in college with an ANGEL of a teacher, before that swimming was scary and stressful and I was bad at it. It helps to have a good one piece, goggles, and a cap. Also, the hair is a bummer but it's the se hassle I have with more traditional gym time.

tomatoey wrote: »

I hope some of the people who manage facilities see this thread. Because not all chlorinated pools smell like a gas factory. I'm sure there's a way to manage those levels better (or to make the switch to saline). And good ventilation helps. And locker rooms don't have to be nightmares.

Re hair - I have NEVER been able to find a good chlorine removing shampoo in any drugstore. They never stock it. I've had to buy online and it's a PITA. That said, apparently, mixing Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) crystals with water, and spraying that on your hair and skin, can get rid of a lot of it.

The trick is to not let clorine soak into your hair. You have to put something on it --before--you enter the pool. See above post of mine where I explain what I do. My hair used to be dry and brittle from the clorine, now it's soft and silky and long. You can condition your hair while swimming. An hour of a deep conditioner under your swim cap makes it a plus instead of a minus. Best.

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I LOVE to swim...When I was young, I was a competitive and synchronized swimmer, so swimming, to me, is like second nature...Yesterday, I went swimming after work...I now live in an Apartment complex and the apartment pool isn't very big, so I just, usually, go for ten minutes...Not much of a workout...But it feels GREAT to get in the water...

I have been swimming 5/6 days of the week, so I am not in the 'hassle' camp. But, I am a SAHM so that may color my view a bit. I usually do a HIIT swim and that gets the blood flowing. Also, cold water burns more calories!