Swimming is a fun individual sport. If you don’t like going to the gym or jogging around people, swimming is a great alternative choice. I choose swimming as my go-to sport because I like being in the water and also doing sports that aren’t really surrounded by people. Anyhow, today I want to talk about some basic must haves if you are considering starting swimming based on my experience.

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Swimming Suit

It’s very important for anyone who wishes to swim to wear an appropriate suit. This is also a basic rule in any swimming pool. Some reasons swimming pools impose this rule include hygiene and also potential fibers clogging the water system. Not to mention, did you know that those cotton shirts can transport air and waterborne contaminants to the pool?. In terms of being in the water, there’s a striking difference when you swim with a swimming suit vs just wearing cotton shirts. Wearing proper attire for swimming feels much lighter that makes it easier to swim around. Since I swim very frequently, about 5 times/week, by now I have ruined about 3 swimming suits, mostly due to the stitches being stretched.

Swimming Cap

Even if you are not a competitive swimmer, having a swimming cap is a must. If you have long hair, there’s a high chance that your hair will be frizzy and dry. A swimming cap helps protect your hair against chlorinated water(according to my cap’s description). I can tell you as much, it’s really a life-changing gear. I didn’t wear a swimming cap before and I always come home with frizzly and awful hair. But since wearing one, my hair is protected from chlorine, and doesn't smell chlorinated as well. So, just remember when you start swimming, get a swimming cap!

Ear and Nose plug

Have you heard of cases where people get ear infections after swimming in a public pool? I have. In order to minimize the risk, ear plugs provide protection. Since wearing ear plugs, swimming feels much better and there’s only a little water that gets into the ear canals. Another annoying thing that can happen during swimming is water getting into the nostrils. To prevent this, nose plug is there to help. I was told by an old lady at the swimming pool to get these and since then, I never have to worry about having water getting into my nostrils.

Swimming goggles

Chlorinated water can be very harsh on our eyes. It’s also inconvenient to swim without having to see anything in the water. Having swim goggles not only minimize eye redness but also helps us to see around the pool. One tip that I can tell you is that, choose swimming goggles that have the UV protection if you tend to swim in an outdoor pool. Do not get cheap swimming goggles. I used to get the cheap one but since getting a decent one, my swimming life has transformed. Not only is it durable, it’s also way more convenient and doesn’t easily fog up. After swimming, make sure to rinse the swimming goggles with regular water so that it will be more durable. If you still don’t know how to, Wikihow has simple-straightforward tips on how to clean swimming googles.

Smartwatch

Though this is an optional, I believe that anyone who takes swimming seriously should have this one. There is a dedicated swimming watch but if you don’t have one, a regular smartwatch will do just fine. I have a Mi6 that is water-resistant and includes a pool swimming feature. With these features, I can track the time, my stroke style, and the length that I do during my swimming session. However, some things to note,do not wear them too tight, dry the bands after use or you will get some skin irritation over your wrist like I did.

Sunblock

If you tend to swim outdoors when the sun is high, make sure that you apply sunblock protection. But there’s a rule when to apply the sunblock, it is 30 minutes before you dip into the water. I use vaseline SPF 30 and not sticky ones. You can choose a higher SPF too. After swimming, don’t forget to re-apply along with other lotions to keep your skin healthy. In the past, I didn’t do this and my skin was really dry. Since applying the sunscreen and lotion, my skin seems to be improving.

Those are some basic must-haves if you want to have a convenient and pleasant swimming session. One last thing, do not forget to stretch and showering before swimming. I see a lot of people don’t stretch before going into the pool and that’s quite risky. A good warm up is either 3-5 minutes outside the pool and then 2-3 minutes inside the pool in order to condition ourselves with the water.

Most importantly, Have fun swimming !

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Mac is a jack of all trades. A typical introvert in love with literature, books, technology and philosophy. She is also so into nootropics, productivity, minimalist lifestyle, cybersecurity, and languages. Other than that, she is passionate about cooking and traveling. In her free time, she enjoys learning various things. If you like her content don't forget to upvote. Re-blog is also appreciated.