Swimming

[Fitch1]

I would be interested to know what you think about going swimming in the local swimming pool, firstly because of the Covid and secondly because of being on steroids does it make you more prone to catching a infection. My local pool only allows 6 people a session. I have stopped going I did not feel safe .

[Arflane97G]

I guess it depends on what dosage you are on? My local pools are open and 8 would go but the changing rooms are not open and walking/ driving home in a wet swimming costume does not appeal!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Being on steroids doesn’t make you more prone to getting Covid - but stated it’s the getting to and from. Getting to would be okay, but depends on what you are allowed to do re changing wet clothes afterwards.

[Fitch1 in reply to DorsetLady]

Changing is not a problem you can not shower you have dry off and get changed and straight out.

[piglette]

I should not worry about the swimming pool too much, chlorine kills Covid.

[Marijo1951 in reply to piglette]

Just don't take it internally as was once recommended...

[Fitch1]

Do you not think that as we have Polymyalgia and are taking steroids we need to be extra careful?

[alvertta]

My therapist recommended swimming for GCA. the change room is the issue. Not the pool. Good luck.

[Poppylop]

Hi there, I started swimming again last week, they allow 8 people per lane in our pool and we are allowed to use the changing rooms and showers, but there is someone constantly cleaning them and there is hand sanitizer everywhere and you have to wear a mask up until you are changed into your costume, I was unsure whether to start going again but it's the only exercise I do apart from walking and was eager to get back to it, I do feel quite safe.

[Stifffingers]

I go almost daily . Made a huge difference to how I started to feel during lockdown .

I use the David Lloyd . This weekend they even re opened the steam rooms & Saunas.

Yes ... swim away .. you’re be fine.

[Moness]

I’ve been going for a few weeks and haven’t felt unsafe as it seems well managed. We are allowed to shower and the changing room hasn’t been a problem so far. Swimming has been a wonderful relief for the stiffness, just hope they don’t close the pools again.

[PMRCanada]

Our community pool began offering swimming and deep water exercises 3 weeks ago, with limited number of participants. They offered the same during the summer months in the outdoor pool.

We have to pre-register so they can control the number of people. We enter and exit through one large set of doors. We are screened upon arrival and must wear a mask while on pool deck and in change rooms (not while in the water socially distanced). Chairs are located along the length of the pool deck (spaced apart), where we can place our bags. We wear our swimsuit there under our clothes so we just have to undress and then go directly into the pool.

After the swim I exit the pool, grab my bag put on my mask, go to the change room, sometimes I shower (only 2 showers available, distanced), then dry off and change. Some folks just change and not shower, all while wearing a mask.

I was hesitant at first however the deep water exercises do me so much good I decided to try it once and then choose whether I wanted to proceed. I will also mention in our small rural town we have had a total of 25 confirmed Covid cases since March (and none that are documented/confirmed currently....which I understand means there could be active cases who have not been tested).

We all must weigh the benefits and risks. I’m trying to get in as many visits as I can with hopes they don’t close down again as cases are surging (especially in certain areas) here in Ontario, Canada.

[Thelmarina]

I personally wouldn’t do it. But at the moment I think we’re on a balancing act - what risks we take alongside careful precautions for the sake of our whole well-being, and only you can judge. Very tricky at the moment. My heart goes out to all of us! X