I swim in a 20m pool and just keep going.....I use a waterproof MP3 player to stave off the boredom....I can do 80 lengths (1 mile) in about 55 minutes. I don't think the length of the pool should make any difference to the total distance you swim.

a 50M pool is PERFECT for distance swimming.....check out swimmer's world for workouts...can you flip turn?

Hey everybody!

In my quest to get ready for beach season, I've started swimming at this pool next to my office. It's only 50 meters long, so I'm trying to create some kind of interval/circuit workout, since it's not long enough to do distance swimming. Or maybe it is, I don't know, I never competed or anything, I just like to swim. Any thoughts on what I need for an exercise program?

Usually pools are 25 meters per length (so 50 m per full lap); this is considered "Olympic size", as far as I know. In this size pool, 18 lengths are equal to one quarter mile. The other common length is the 25 yard pool (or 50 yards per full lap); in this shorter pool, you have to swim 22 lengths to equal one quarter mile.

If you are new to lap swimming, working up to a full quarter mile is a nice way to start; this will take about 20 to 30 minutes depending on your skill and speed. I vary strokes to make it more fun, use mostly freestyle one length alternating with breast stroke/leg fly combo one length, then mix in back stroke, side stroke and of course using the kickboard for variety. I have the gloves too and use them sometime. Get a good pair of goggles and a swimcap of course too. I've never swam in competition but once I did swim 2 miles in one day (176 lengths!). There is also a waterproof music player available somewhere.

I would love to swim in a 50m pool, but the one at my gym is only 18m... and I just swim 150 lengths. I don't get bored and I can only swim breaststroke, but if you can swim different strokes, try alternating breaststroke and freestyle (front crawl) and even butterfly if it's allowed (not all pools do).

I've been recommended to start doing drills with a float, but not quite sure what to do myself. I'd love to find a swimming coach and get some pointers.

The pool at my building is 12.5m long (I zoomed in on Google Maps so I know this is accurate ). I would kill for a 50m pool... although at the end of 50m I get pretty tired so I think I'd look kind of silly having to stop for a breath every length, let alone not being able to do a lap

Hi! Anyone looking for some variation in workouts, I use the iPhone Kiefer SwimKit iPhone app. It is super easy to use. You can select from main categories of distance, mid distance, sprint, stroke or IM, and pace emphasis. Once you decide what you woul like to work on there are multiple practices listed within that category. Each practice has a "shorter workout" and if you scroll to the bottom a "longer workout" is also provided. It's a great tool that I use and it also provides tips and tricks too! Good luck!

HI!

Ive been doing the zero to mile workout...its been helpful because it allows me to work on my breathing and technique to build up to swimming a mile straight.

Here's the link:
http://ruthkazez.com/SwimWorkouts/ZeroTo1mile.html

It also gives ideas for 50m pools

Happy swimming!