Swimming pool etiquette?

I would just ask at reception Janine, or give them a call? At my pool you leave your towel in your locker, shower before you go in pool, but at my pool there's hardly ever lanes so I can't help there I'm afraid! I would just ask, they must get asked all the time so don't worry 🙂

I haven't gone swimming since i came too Uni out of awkwardness (I go to the gym at 7 in the morning so there's no one there :p) but in my old pool you could take your towel to the pool but most people left them in their lockers. If you know the rough speed you swim at join a lane where people are swimming at the same sort of pace. The only thing to avoid really is swimming really slow in a fast lane.

I have no idea how fast I swim at the moment! I swam a lot on holiday and wasn't really slow, but it's hard to gauge from that.

I go to the gym at 6.30! Only been 3 times so far, was refusing to do it for ages, still hate it but eh. Lee went three times before I went and said, oh there's no one there, it'll be fine. He was either lying, that was a weird time or he's used to a LOT more people in the gym he went to in London. I got freaked out by having a person on either side of me when I was using the treadmill lol I can't stand being surrounded! I've started shutting my eyes with my iPod on and it's helping... Though it's probably dangerous. I still prefer to just walk and I'm actually able to do more here than I thought, partly because we're a mile and a half walk from town and I have to walk in two or three times a day, so just doing that is good enough.

But I want to eat more and if I am going to eat more, I need to work for it! Lol

I did think about asking the staff glitter, they're just not the friendliest bunch to be honest. Or more like, they can't be bothered. I'm just as confused about no lanes as I am about lanes though. The early morning swim, which I'm thinking of doing after going in the gym, isn't lanes.

Hehe my Uni gym opens at 7. Apparently students don't go to the gym in the morning. I would freak out if I had to be next to anyone. Luckily normally I'm literally the only person in there.

Ooh I have no idea how to deal with no lanes.

I think with no lanes you just swim and try not to get in anyone's way, atleast that's what I do but maybe I'm doing it wrong haha!

They might have it on their website?

Back when I used to swim, when there were lanes they were marked slow, medium and fast, so start in the slow on and swap over if you find people are getting in your way. If they're not marked, you can usually spot the fast lane quite easily so get in the one furthest away from it! For free swimming, with people do lengths but are able to rest at each end; the lanes usually want you to swim continuously. You might find it easier to go for a free/general swim to gauge your pace against others before going into the lanes - it will probably be busier but if you can just do it once it'll be a great help.

I've never taken my towel into the actual pool room.

I agree with you about not driving or taking buses to the gym. 🙂

As for the pool, my old gym was like tabitha said. Had three lanes a fast, medium and slow pace and a larger area that was for general swimming but when i went they always had classes or aquagym going on. ( adults only gym) i would usually go on the slow lane if it was empty or the medium speed one.

As for the towels, my gym had hooks by the swimming showers next to the pool to hang them up. I would always leave mine there along with my flip flops.

I checked the website and couldn't see anything, annoyingly!

I'll definitely avoid lanes to start with. I just don't think I'm ready to be forced into no resting lol

I'm feeling a bit braver about it... still not sure when I'll go though, maybe one morning this weekend. Hmm.

Thanks for your input guys, it has helped 🙂

I hope it goes well 🙂

I always find that first go terrifying, then after that it's a piece of cake 🙂

I'm already anxious enough that I can't swim - now I'm anxious that if I ever learn I'll never get a hang of the ettiquette!  :laugh:

Hope you got it all worked out in the end!