Swimming is a good sport to help you be fit, and it's fun to learn. Swimming lessons help you to learn different swimming styles and strokes, such as breaststroke, butterfly stroke, backstroke, combat sidestroke and lap swimming. Lap swimming simply means swimming from one end of the swimming pool to the other. It's not the back-and-forth swimming style you are used to. A lap in most pools is 50 metres, and you are supposed to do laps without breaks. Beginners who join lap swim lessons for fitness should commit to a 30-minute workout, three times a week. They learn how to swim as they count their laps, and they should cover at least 20 laps per session. Here are some of the rules you find in most lap swimming lessons:
Select an Appropriate Speed
Most swimming pools have designated lanes indicated as slow, medium or fast. The speed changes from slow to fast or fast to medium depending on the level or skills of the swimmers in the pool. A fast lane would be suitable for you on some days, but it won't be comfortable for you when someone with greater swimming skills is there the whole session. Don't make a decision before you have looked around all the lanes. Don't insinuate that those swimming in the medium or slow lanes aren't fast swimmers.
Uphold the 10-Second Distance
Though you are swimming at the same speed as the other swimmers in the same lane, you should leave about 5 seconds between you and them. This usually applies when they are ahead of you in the lane. Each of the lap swimmers in the pool has their laps to complete, but you may never know when they would speed up or slow down. The 5 seconds you leave ensures the swimmers ahead of you have enough space to touch the wall or flip turn without catching them mid-lap.
Switch Lanes When Necessary
Most lap swimmers don't understand this, especially if they are new to it. You are allowed to switch from a fast or medium lane to a slow lane if you have some kick or pull work to do. This ensures that other swimmers won't pass you in the lane and leave you annoyed. You can also jump for a moment in the slow lane as a way to show your swimming ability. It's good to know that those swimming in the slow lane aren't poor swimmers.
Circle swimming, being patient and being vocal are other rules you will learn during a lap swim class. How much your abilities improve depends on how well you master the rules and etiquette of swimming. The above rules will help you to utilise your solo swim practice better and enjoy the laps you make in the pool.
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