Everyone knows that swimming is a great way to stay in shape, though most of us only do it during the summer months for fun. It tests your endurance and strength in ways that no other exercise or sport can and causes virtually no risk of injury. There is no impact on your joints, which makes it ideal for people of all ages and those in all physical ability levels. Therefore, the idea of swimming on a competitive level is appealing to a lot of people. Especially if you add in the different types of competitive swimming competitions that are available to swimmers.
Why Swimming is the Ideal Sport
One of the main reasons that people pursue swimming as a sport or exercise is simply the fact that it is enjoyable to do. It is calming for some to be weightless and relaxed in the water, but it can also be invigorating if the water is cool. There is also the fact that it is ideal for a good cardio workout. Water provides you with a natural resistance, so every slight movement is going to work out your muscles in bigger ways than they would outside of the water. This builds strength in weakened muscles and gives your heart a reason to pump a little harder. This extra resistance will also make you breathe a little harder which could help your lungs stay healthier.
Competitive Swimming
Typically, you may think of competitive swimming as what you see on television during the Summer Olympics. Swimmers are in a pool and doing laps as quickly as possible, tagging off with their teammates to try and take home the win. This is one form of competition, but there are others. Open water swimming allows you to swim in open water and then you have different competitions for people who want to swim using different techniques such as the backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Swimming may also be competitive when used alongside another type of sport, such as a swim-run where a team of two takes turns swimming and running to get to the finish of the race.
What Type of Swimmer are You?
To prepare for competitive swimming, you have to spend a lot of time getting into good shape. You have to be fast and able to go the distance, whether you are in a pool or in a lake. In non-competitive swimming, you simply have to be willing to reach your goals and anyone can swim quickly if they want to. When doing it competitively, you will want to be as streamlined as possible to ensure that you get every burst of speed that you can. This is why swimmers are hairless and wear the right types of bathing suits or speedos along with hair caps to cover their hair. When speed matters, you do not want anything to slow you down. To swim as an exercise that you enjoy doing, you do not have to worry about speed. You simply have to worry about pushing yourself to do a little better than you did yesterday. Which do you prefer?
To mark this exciting occasion, many communities organize social events to bring together not only the swim team but also their families, friends, and supporters. The most common event to celebrate the opening of the season is a BBQ or party. These gatherings serve as a way for the community to come together, enjoy good food, and foster team spirit. It’s a perfect way to celebrate the hard work ahead and welcome the new season with a sense of camaraderie.
When it comes to potlucks or BBQs, people typically bring dishes that are easy to share and fit the outdoor setting. Grilled meats, such as burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and sausages, are always a popular choice. These can be served with a variety of side dishes like potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, or grilled vegetables, which are perfect for pairing with the main courses. For those who prefer lighter options, fresh salads made with crisp greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and dressing are great choices. For dessert, fruit salads, cookies, or brownies are often brought to add a sweet touch to the meal. Many families also bring finger foods, such as chips and dip or skewered veggies, to make it easy for guests to grab a bite between conversations.
When hosting a BBQ, having the right equipment is key, and one of the most important components of any grill is the cooking grates. 
There are many things that people may feel are a “charm” that brings them luck, safety for their family, and more. In the world of sports, it also carries through. If you talk to players you will see that for every sport that has been played, there are some special items or things that they do as rituals before an important game. They feel it makes them perform better. For that reason, it should not surprise you that there are swimmers who feel that swimming with the luck of the Irish is important for their performance.
For runners it may be a special pair of socks that they performed well while wearing and now feel that it makes them better. It could be a special jersey number for a football player. One that he may never want to give up. There are prayers said before games. Some players chew grass, watch fishing shows, a special stone that they touch before playing, and more. Runners and swimmers may also have things that they do before hitting the pavement or making a splash. These special things may go well beyond the warm ups and stretches, especially if it is a big event.
One of the greatest accomplishments for a long-distance swimmer is usually associated with swimming across the English Channel. The English Channel is mostly 112-150 miles wide in many areas. This is why people celebrate if they can actually make it across. In order to prepare, a swimmer must put in a lot of hours to train before they ever hit the water. They will typically start off in pools and work their way up to large bodies of water before ever venturing near the Channel. When they feel that they are ready to tackle it, they will want to ensure that luck is definitely on their side. You will see all their unique superstitions come to light. They may say their prayers and even wear a leprechaun outfit to swim in as a way to bring a little Irish luck to their trip across the water.
Swimming is a great form of exercise. It can help you stay healthier and in better shape because it is a full body workout with cardio. For a professional swimmer who takes part in swimming competitions, there is nothing better that they can do for themselves than keep on swimming. However, many professional swimmers have to travel to reach the water that they depend on so much. They may drive to a pool or some other body of water, just because they have to stay in good shape. Instead of putting yourself through this, why not consider home swimming pool solutions that could work just as well?
Not every swimmer can afford to have a large, Olympic sized, swimming pool in their back yard. They are expensive, and most can only be used a few months out of the year. Swimmers need more time in the water than that and they also need a pool that is ready for them to jump in when they are able. They don’t want to deal with the expense of not only the pool, but the chemicals, and the time that is required to let chemicals sit before they can get into the water. For many, it is purely more convenient to travel to the water; even if it means that they must travel an hour, or two, to spend a little time in the water.
All pools will require chemicals and there are some pools that close when chemicals are being tested and put in. It is a necessary evil. A swimmer that wants easier access to a pool, does have another option. You can look always into above ground pool reviews to see what is available. These pools are not as large as an in-ground swimming pool, but they can still be effective as a tool for training. There are above ground pools that measure out to be quite large and you can swim around in them some. Where they will provide the most benefit though is in giving you a place to keep your lungs in shape. When you go under the water, even in an above ground pool, you feel the pressure, in your lungs the same that you would in a larger pool. You can also keep your legs strong, by holding the side of the pool and kicking your feet or kneel in the water to keep your arms toned. It may not be a pool that allows you to swim laps for miles, but it can still help you when it is impossible to get to a larger body of water.
It takes a lot of stamina and endurance to swim over long distances and not get worn out before you are half way to your target area. This also means that long distance swimmers have to stay in peak physical health if they want to stay on top of their game. Training is the only way to ensure that they can do what they set out to do, but it is not always easy to get to the training pool. What do swimmers do to stay in shape if they cannot get to a large enough body of water? They look for other ways to stay in shape; only one of which may include training in in-ground pools for long swims.
When swimming long distances, you have to able to push yourself to the next level with ease. The last thing you want to happen if for a leg or side cramp to set in when you are half way to your goal. It lets you and your team down if you do. The downside is that training does not stop because you have a job, school, family, or other things to deal with. You have to find a way to stay in shape, while doing those other things. Finding the right pool is one excellent way to ensure that you do not spend too much time out of the water.
Generally speaking, for swimming pools at home, you have a few options. As for shape, you are better off to stick with a regular shaped pool. Average sizes for these are about 14 x 28 feet, with a deepest point of about six feet. This pool size can work, but you will gain more time to perfect your swimming strokes and such if you go bigger. Large pools start at 18ft x 36ft. It can make a lot of difference in helping you to stay in shape or stay ready for the longer swims that you hope to tackle soon. If you want to know about even larger pools, and you have the lawn space for it, there are a lot of pool installers who will be happy to talk to you, especially if you are looking for inground pools Atlanta Ga.