Lap Pool Temps

Purdue University typically keeps their's between 79 and 81.5 . I find 81 about perfect, but much
below 80.5 and I start to have trouble. I also get stuck at the local Y and that water is usually 86
(yuck), sometimes 87 (ugh) or even 88 (gross). But attempts to get these places (in my case the YWCA
and YMCA) to turn down their temperature have not been successful. Even some of the older patrons
complain it is too hot. But, if they teach lessons at the pool or have arthritis programs and water
aerobics, then your efforts will probably be futile. Still, it doesn't hurt to try.

Marianne

"Michael Sollner" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if I could kind of poll the group for responses about what the temp is of the pool
that you swim laps in. I swim in an indoor health club pool that they keep at 85 to 86 F (approx
30 C). I start to boil

after

Quoted message said:

about 2500 yards. I would like to see them drop it 3 or 4 degrees but I'm not sure if I'm being
unreasonable.

Michael Sollner said:

I was wondering if I could kind of poll the group for responses about what the temp is of the pool
that you swim laps in. I swim in an indoor health club pool that they keep at 85 to 86 F (approx
30 C). I start to boil

after

Quoted message said:

about 2500 yards. I would like to see them drop it 3 or 4 degrees but I'm not sure if I'm being
unreasonable.

About the top side of normal temperatures. 86 is about right for inactive and very young beginners.
82-84 quite reasonable. 79 is the FINA recommendation for competition (decidedly chilly to me, but
wakes me up when I compete). I once swam for 90 minutes in 73 I packed up when I couldn't feeel my
legs. I tried a hydrotherapy pool once at 98, I needed the soap!
--
BD

Yeah, that does sound a little warm. My pool actually keeps it around 80 or even less. What with the
constant swimming, we all work up our own heat and feel little discomfort. Last week, it was in the
upper 80's and even the lifeguard was telling everyone that they would get it fixed.

"Michael Sollner" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if I could kind of poll the group for responses about what the temp is of the pool
that you swim laps in. I swim in an indoor health club pool that they keep at 85 to 86 F (approx
30 C). I start to boil

after

Quoted message said:

about 2500 yards. I would like to see them drop it 3 or 4 degrees but I'm not sure if I'm being
unreasonable.

Michael Sollner said:

I was wondering if I could kind of poll the group for responses about what the temp is of the pool
that you swim laps in.

YMCA in Honolulu, open-air pool. Usually between 79 and 81. If the outdoor air temp is low and the
pool is up at the 81 degree end, the pool feels warm. If the outdoor temp is high, the pool feels
refreshingly cool. Then there are the days when the first plunge takes an effort of will.

When the heater broke and it went down to 71 one rainy season, I only lasted 20 minutes before I ran
for the hot shower. But I'm a wimp.

--
Karen Lofstrom SCIENTOLOGIST BAIT [email hidden]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
OT7-48 1. Find some plants, trees, etc., and communicate to them individually until you know they
received your communication.

"Michael Sollner" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if I could kind of poll the group for responses about what the temp is of the pool
that you swim laps in. I swim in an indoor health club pool that they keep at 85 to 86 F (approx
30 C). I start to boil

after

Quoted message said:

about 2500 yards. I would like to see them drop it 3 or 4 degrees but I'm not sure if I'm being
unreasonable.

Thanks for the responses folks. I used to swim competitively, so I knew that 79 to 80 was about
right for competition and training, but I wasn't sure what I could expect for a "happy medium" when
taking casual swimmers, water walkers, aquarobics classes, etc. into consideration. I'm gonna try
and get them to lower it to about 83 to 84 and see if they get many complaints. I'll probably run
into a brick wall, but it's worth a try.

Thanks again!

Quoted message said:

YMCA in Honolulu, open-air pool. Usually between 79 and 81. If the outdoor air temp is low and the
pool is up at the 81 degree end, the pool feels warm. If the outdoor temp is high, the pool feels
refreshingly cool. Then there are the days when the first plunge takes an effort of will.

Sounds perfect!! I just got back from an outdoor Y pool in Florida. The air was about 90,
and the water was 87. Most of the people were saying how wonderful the water was - that it
was just perfect. UGH!! What ever happened to refreshing? Why do they only aerate this pool
once a week or so? As you might imagine, this pool has a lot of water aerobes in it.

Quoted message said:

When the heater broke and it went down to 71 one rainy season, I only lasted 20 minutes before I
ran for the hot shower. But I'm a wimp.

Last year I got a belated Christmas present - the pool heater broke down!! It was wonderful!
The water temperature was 76-77, and the swimmers were happy. The water aerobes didn't show
up for the couple of weeks it took to get it fixed. I only missed two days - the day after
Christmas when it was windy and in the 40s and another day when the high for the day was in
the high 30s. I don't know if I could have handled 71 though.

Jean S.

The topic of water temperature comes up from time to time in this newsgroup. The FINA standard for
competition is 26=B0 C (about 79=B0
F). Although it's probably a matter of one's personal comfort, I personally find that a temperature
maintained between 78=B0 F and 82=B0 F is sufficient enough to provide a satisfactory environment
for a good strenuous workout. Water warmer than 83/84=B0 F tends to facilitate a greater fatiguing
effect for laps. Most pools that accommodate all aquatic activities (swim training, fitness
swimming, water aerobics, etc.) are usually maintained at a compromised temperature in the mid to
high 80's =B0F.

Steve Curtis

I work at a local rec. center where we have a 6 lane competiton pool connected to a "liesure pool"
complete with water slides and toys. They keep the water temperature no lower than 86 F. There is no
doublt that it is too warm for serious swimming. The high school swim teams practice and host their
home meets here. I find that when I do my regular workout (about 2500 yards) in this pool it takes
at least 30 to 45 minutes for me to cool down. I usually do my own workouts in another pool that is
never above 82F, and I find that I don't feel overheated at the end of the workout. I would try to
get them to lower the temperature, but as you say, I am afraid that you will run into a brick wall.
The old people and little kids carry more weight than us swimmers. Good luck. Fred

I work at a local rec. center where we have a 6 lane competiton pool connected to a "liesure pool"
complete with water slides and toys. They keep the water temperature no lower than 86 F. There is no
doublt that it is too warm for serious swimming. The high school swim teams practice and host their
home meets here. I find that when I do my regular workout (about 2500 yards) in this pool it takes
at least 30 to 45 minutes for me to cool down. I usually do my own workouts in another pool that is
never above 82F, and I find that I don't feel overheated at the end of the workout. I would try to
get them to lower the temperature, but as you say, I am afraid that you will run into a brick wall.
The old people and little kids carry more weight than us swimmers. Good luck. Fred

The "right" pool temperatures are a massive problem. Everyone sees it differently. Personally I like
a pool that's not cold to get into. Hence about 81 is perfect. I then swim 2Kms. At this temp, I
don't feel hot by the end, rather theres a feeling of good healthy exercise. Too low, ie below 78
and there's a start to feet cramps and chill out. Above about 85 and yes its tough, the water cuts
down the pure athleticism of the exercise.

In Santa Monica's Municpial pool the main pool is kept at 79 the smaller 25 metre at 83- 85. Both
are outdoors. Both serve lap swimming different markets but on a cold morning or chilly windy night
the warmer pool can be a saviour.

Problem is that pools that are too cold drive people away and you never know. Hence the local YMCA
has a small group of happy swimmers and a wider group of occassional or never go swimmers upset
becasue the water is always chilly to get into, cold to swim in and leaves them freezing afterwards.

You almost never get complaints at 80-81.

The "right" pool temperatures are a massive problem. Everyone sees it differently. Personally I like
a pool that's not cold to get into. Hence about 81 is perfect. I then swim 2Kms. At this temp, I
don't feel hot by the end, rather theres a feeling of good healthy exercise. Too low, ie below 78
and there's a start to feet cramps and chill out. Above about 85 and yes its tough, the water cuts
down the pure athleticism of the exercise.

In Santa Monica's Municpial pool the main pool is kept at 79 the smaller 25 metre at 83- 85. Both
are outdoors. Both serve lap swimming different markets but on a cold morning or chilly windy night
the warmer pool can be a saviour.

Problem is that pools that are too cold drive people away and you never know. Hence the local YMCA
has a small group of happy swimmers and a wider group of occassional or never go swimmers upset
becasue the water is always chilly to get into, cold to swim in and leaves them freezing afterwards.

You almost never get complaints at 80-81.

The "right" pool temperatures are a massive problem. Everyone sees it differently. Personally I like
a pool that's not cold to get into. Hence about 81 is perfect. I then swim 2Kms. At this temp, I
don't feel hot by the end, rather theres a feeling of good healthy exercise. Too low, ie below 78
and there's a start to feet cramps and chill out. Above about 85 and yes its tough, the water cuts
down the pure athleticism of the exercise.

In Santa Monica's Municpial pool the main pool is kept at 79 the smaller 25 metre at 83- 85. Both
are outdoors. Both serve lap swimming different markets but on a cold morning or chilly windy night
the warmer pool can be a saviour.

Problem is that pools that are too cold drive people away and you never know. Hence the local YMCA
has a small group of happy swimmers and a wider group of occassional or never go swimmers upset
becasue the water is always chilly to get into, cold to swim in and leaves them freezing afterwards.

You almost never get complaints at 80-81.

As has been mentioned, this issue has come up before. If the pool offers Arthritis Foundation warm
water exercise classes, your chance of reducing the temperature is almost nil. There is a direct
physical benefit to pain control and reduction in stiffness from arthritis, largely due to the
increased circulation, which is part of the reason that it is so uncomfortable to swim in. I'm on
both sides of this particular fence, since I'm an ex-club swimmer and 40-year-old arthritis
sufferer (genetics and a birth defect in my feet). I'm lucky in that I can swim in a warm diving
pool while people swimming more athletically can swim in a nice cool lane pool, and I can look
forward to switching when I'm back in better shape. However, not everyone who needs these warmer
temps due to arthritis is elderly or a child. My problem with these issues is that I can't find a
water aerobics class that meets when I'm not working! Also, unless you are really gifted
genetically or have never done any other exercise except for swimming, arthritis is coming to get
you sooner or later. Madelaine

Beeswich said:

I work at a local rec. center where we have a 6 lane competiton pool connected to a "liesure pool"
complete with water slides and toys. They keep the water temperature no lower than 86 F. There is
no doublt that it is too warm for serious swimming. The high school swim teams practice and host
their home meets here. I find that when I do my regular workout (about 2500 yards) in this pool it
takes at least 30 to 45 minutes for me to cool down. I usually do my own workouts in another pool
that is never above 82F, and I find that I don't feel overheated at the end of the workout. I
would try to get them to lower the temperature, but as you say, I am afraid that you will run into
a brick wall. The old people and little kids carry more weight than us swimmers. Good luck. Fred

As has been mentioned, this issue has come up before. If the pool offers Arthritis Foundation warm
water exercise classes, your chance of reducing the temperature is almost nil. There is a direct
physical benefit to pain control and reduction in stiffness from arthritis, largely due to the
increased circulation, which is part of the reason that it is so uncomfortable to swim in. I'm on
both sides of this particular fence, since I'm an ex-club swimmer and 40-year-old arthritis
sufferer (genetics and a birth defect in my feet). I'm lucky in that I can swim in a warm diving
pool while people swimming more athletically can swim in a nice cool lane pool, and I can look
forward to switching when I'm back in better shape. However, not everyone who needs these warmer
temps due to arthritis is elderly or a child. My problem with these issues is that I can't find a
water aerobics class that meets when I'm not working! Also, unless you are really gifted
genetically or have never done any other exercise except for swimming, arthritis is coming to get
you sooner or later. Madelaine

Beeswich said:

I work at a local rec. center where we have a 6 lane competiton pool connected to a "liesure pool"
complete with water slides and toys. They keep the water temperature no lower than 86 F. There is
no doublt that it is too warm for serious swimming. The high school swim teams practice and host
their home meets here. I find that when I do my regular workout (about 2500 yards) in this pool it
takes at least 30 to 45 minutes for me to cool down. I usually do my own workouts in another pool
that is never above 82F, and I find that I don't feel overheated at the end of the workout. I
would try to get them to lower the temperature, but as you say, I am afraid that you will run into
a brick wall. The old people and little kids carry more weight than us swimmers. Good luck. Fred

As has been mentioned, this issue has come up before. If the pool offers Arthritis Foundation warm
water exercise classes, your chance of reducing the temperature is almost nil. There is a direct
physical benefit to pain control and reduction in stiffness from arthritis, largely due to the
increased circulation, which is part of the reason that it is so uncomfortable to swim in. I'm on
both sides of this particular fence, since I'm an ex-club swimmer and 40-year-old arthritis
sufferer (genetics and a birth defect in my feet). I'm lucky in that I can swim in a warm diving
pool while people swimming more athletically can swim in a nice cool lane pool, and I can look
forward to switching when I'm back in better shape. However, not everyone who needs these warmer
temps due to arthritis is elderly or a child. My problem with these issues is that I can't find a
water aerobics class that meets when I'm not working! Also, unless you are really gifted
genetically or have never done any other exercise except for swimming, arthritis is coming to get
you sooner or later. Madelaine

Beeswich said:

I work at a local rec. center where we have a 6 lane competiton pool connected to a "liesure pool"
complete with water slides and toys. They keep the water temperature no lower than 86 F. There is
no doublt that it is too warm for serious swimming. The high school swim teams practice and host
their home meets here. I find that when I do my regular workout (about 2500 yards) in this pool it
takes at least 30 to 45 minutes for me to cool down. I usually do my own workouts in another pool
that is never above 82F, and I find that I don't feel overheated at the end of the workout. I
would try to get them to lower the temperature, but as you say, I am afraid that you will run into
a brick wall. The old people and little kids carry more weight than us swimmers. Good luck. Fred

Quoted message said:

Also, unless you are really gifted genetically or have never done any

other

Quoted message said:

exercise except for swimming, arthritis is coming to get you sooner or

later.

Quoted message said:

Madelaine

I've never heard of that? Is arthritis less likely to occur in someone whose only exercise
is swimming?

Quoted message said:

Also, unless you are really gifted genetically or have never done any

other

Quoted message said:

exercise except for swimming, arthritis is coming to get you sooner or

later.

Quoted message said:

Madelaine

I've never heard of that? Is arthritis less likely to occur in someone whose only exercise
is swimming?

Quoted message said:

Also, unless you are really gifted genetically or have never done any

other

Quoted message said:

exercise except for swimming, arthritis is coming to get you sooner or

later.

Quoted message said:

Madelaine

I've never heard of that? Is arthritis less likely to occur in someone whose only exercise
is swimming?

I didn't mean that quite that literally. Part of the cause of osteo arthritis is general wear
and tear, especially weight-bearing wear and tear. So football players, figure skaters, and
gymnasts often get pretty bad arthritis pretty early. Since there is little weight bearing or
jarring in swimming, if you did no other exercise you would be less likely to get arthritis than
the above. Madelaine

Michael Sollner said:

Quoted message said:

Also, unless you are really gifted genetically or have never done any

other

Quoted message said:

exercise except for swimming, arthritis is coming to get you sooner or

later.

Quoted message said:

Madelaine

I've never heard of that? Is arthritis less likely to occur in someone whose only exercise is
swimming?