Swimming!

[Thelmarina]

Hi - I had a wonderful afternoon on the beach dipping in and out of warm sea water (first time for 20 years or so!!). Now I’m wondering about joining a Leisure club or Spa to keep up the good work but what’s the view about picking up bugs or Covid ? I’m dithering …

[SheffieldJane]

Yes, it would be great for your physical condition, but contained, warm water could be a soup of germs and therefore risky. Covid has not gone and is merrily producing new strains. Then there are all the other people to be concerned about. Not sure I would yet, without sound medical advice.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Given the reported state of UK beaches ...

[Thelmarina in reply to PMRpro]

Fortunately it was the Isle of Wight with water clear as a bell (is a bell clear? 😅). But you get my gist. I think I’d better hang on.

[piglette]

I am a member of a leisure club. As the pool is chlorinated and I am not really close to people I am not worried. Chlorine kills Covid as Trump will tell you! I sometimes stop for a quick lunch and again I can keep a distance from people. I find swimming really helps.

[Blearyeyed]

I have been swimming in the outdoor pool at my chalet in Aber over the holidays and loving it , it makes such a difference.I had gone to a local pool a couple of times previous to the Summer to test things out .

I always get dressed before and just take my clothes off in the larger changing space , I take antibac wipes to hold handles and give the locker a wipe before I use it then wash my hands straight after.

I take my own bottle of water to drink from home into the pool area and ask the attendant to keep an eye on it.

The pool itself , if chlorinated should be fine , just choose swim times that are less busy and not just after the school swims finish.

I still choose to shower when I get home . I just dry quickly and put my towel straight in my bag opened out, I put my swimsuit in the towel and roll and just get dressed then I anti bac wipe my feet , wash and antibac gel my hands and just put my hair back . A swim cap or normal cap can be useful if you can wear them if you would prefer to keep your head dry. I also wear swim shoes, I have a pair just for pools , and I keep them on while swimming to reduce contact with changing room floors and make walking on slippy floors safer.

I just explain to them why I need the help.

Council pools are mainly as clean as a cheaper private leisure club and you can get on the Exercise Referral Scheme to get it free , or join their membership schemes which are usually much cheaper than private centres, between £20-30 a month. Private clubs are better for all day access to the pool rather than for better conditions , they look good but their standard of cleaning is often just the same as that at a Council pool , unless you can afford a higher class or hotel based pool option.

If you use their gyms too always have your antibac wipes for equipment before you use it , and wash your hands after ditching the wipe in the bin. You may want to check for the quietest time in their day to reduce risks and the need to wear a face mask.

Keep out of the human soup that is the jacuzzi , no matter where it is , who owns it or how rules have changed. They are an autoimmune sufferers worst night are , and that isn't just because of the Pandemic.

I would keep up the good work , it's great for mind as well as body. You could even try seeing if they have an Arthritis or Over 50's aqua,exercise class near you to try too.

Have fun fellow waterbaby , Bee

[Thelmarina in reply to Blearyeyed]

Good tips - thanks

[Highlandtiger]

In the last few months I’ve started outdoor swimming in our local lochs. I’ve astonished myself by absolutely loving it and I’m feeling the best I’ve felt in years (that may be entirely coincidental of course). I initially went with a friend just to try it but as I’ve always felt the cold badly I assumed I’d hate it. I’m now addicted! Are there any clean safe places near you where you could swim outdoors?

[Thelmarina in reply to Highlandtiger]

Sadly no butI’m glad you’re having fun - sounds wonderful!

[Blearyeyed in reply to Highlandtiger]

I can picture you out there in your wet suit and bobble hat. Quite tempted to come up and join you. I've got a great book called , ' Wild Swimming ' by Daniel Start that shows you 150 beautiful wild swimming places around the UK , including London ,and the instructions to get there. I've always been tempted by doing a tour and trying them all.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

Just watched a Saving Lives at Sea episode - pointing out the Firth of Forth never gets above 12C even in the height of summer. My local lakes make that look warm - deep and up a mountain ...

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I have had issues in the sea this year , it was freezing even in August and the few days it felt like less than torture it created a welcome space for tons of jellyfish. Another reason to move from Wales and live in a country with sea swimming more than two days a year!

[Highlandtiger in reply to Blearyeyed]

No wet suit or bobble hat just yet but have them ready! This is where I was swimming on Thursday, pictured just before we went in and caused some major ripples in the water. 😉

[Blearyeyed in reply to Highlandtiger]

Amazing!!!! Where is it , I want to go , and if I chicken out of swimming in it I can photograph it.

[Coffeebeans in reply to Highlandtiger]

Me too. Regular reservoir swimmer here. And I absolutely MAKE myself go if feeling rubbish, the cold really helps.

[PMRCanada]

I do deep water exercises in our pool here at home, and at the indoor pool (at our community centre right behind us) in the fall, winter and spring. I have been doing this form of exercise since having PMR. It is a lifesaver and keeps me flexible and improves muscle strength. It is a chlorinated pool and the building is new with very high ceilings. The only part that is worrisome is the change rooms, but at least we have a number of separate private stalls.

Sadly at the end of last spring I noted I could not do the exercises the full 45 minutes so I’ll be working my way back up to that amount of time slowly.

Hope you manage to continue especially because you feel so good and enjoy it!