Redo Your Pool

Is swimming the best exercise for your body? We are of the opinion whether swimming is the best workout for you depends on your unique needs and preferences. 

The advantages of swimming:

It is said that swimming exercises your entire body. The truth lies in how you approach swimming. If you enter the pool and swim on your back without exerting abundance energy at all, you may end up just relaxing in the pool. In that case, it is not an ideal workout for your body. You are doing laps using breast stroke or front crawl; in such cases all the muscles are used.

If you are swimming at a faster pace or competing or trying to beat your own personal best then you will experience cardiovascular benefits of swimming. When you are swimming at a faster ace the heart works faster and harder to generate more energy, the lungs are strengthened as you breathe quickly and intensely.

If you are trying to recover from injuries then swimming is an ideal form of exercise as it is a low impact workout for the body and helps to recover faster.

Swimming is an ideal exercise to warm up your muscles before you start your heavy workout exercises. It gradually increases your heart rate, blood circulation causing less injuries that is endured while heavy workouts.

As a form of exercise swimming is very meditative as it can help you relax and reduce stress endured all day.

The limitations of Swimming:

Your aim is to build up muscles, in such cases swimming is not the ideal exercise for you. Swimming helps to burn calories. However, when you stop swimming the process of burning calories stops immediately; while other exercises continue to burn calories while your body returns to the normal temperature.

Swimming is a great workout for your body. It helps to workout your heart, lungs and other major muscles of your body. It is not an ideal activity if you want to build muscles or strengthen your bones. It is a fun activity that can be done alone or with others. There is a huge possibility that you may enjoy the meditative aspect of exercising in water.

For more tips on how to get the perfect abs 

Do you find it difficult to maintain your pool clean?? Here are 10 tips that will help you to keep your pool clean and help you maintain the smile on your face.

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Throwing a pool party is one of the most amazing ways to rejuvenate, chill on birthdays, holidays or maybe just as a family get together.

But pool parties may cause serious injuries if some safety measures aren’t taken. 

General Tips

Check water containments:

Just the day before the party check the pool water levels. Even check the amount of chemicals the pool contains and if there is any need for maintaining the correct levels. 

No Alcohol near pool area

Keeping Alcohol content low is a very rational thing to do because it can really reduce someone’s ability to swim leading to drowning and other injuries. People could act tipsy get in a playful mood which also could be damn injurious near by the pool.

Drinks should be served nowhere near the pool area but back in the apartment or a hood near by the pool, just for relaxation and a little entertainment.

Hire a Lifeguard

See that there is a lifeguard on duty, if at all there isn’t a lifeguard in the apartment then look for someone professional who you can hire.

See that the lifeguard is not getting distracted by children, is not socializing with other guests or upto reading some magazine. Make sure that he is alert at all times.

Even make sure that the lifeguard hasn’t been drinking and has a watchful eye on your guests, especially the kids. 

No Poolside Sports Activities

Running and playing around a pool could cause people to slip and fall - a very common way of pool injuries.

Children and adults alike sometimes need to be reminded of the dangers of running around the pool or shoving each other in it.

Tips for When You have Children around!

Buy Swimming Floats

Make sure that there is enough supply of floats for non-swimmers and kids. Even arm bands are good enough for children to float. Children should be taught to use floats and be trained for dealing with panic situations.

 Pair them up

Have a system to pair kids while swimming, so that one can watch the other while swimming, going under water and thus, have constant watch on the other. Kids should be trained on how they should act in a dangerous situation.

Use safety Pool Line

The safety line helps to separate the deep from the shallow area, at the beginning of the slope of an in-ground pool. They aren’t used anymore unfortunately, but can be very helpful during a crowded pool party.

Other safety measures that you may take include:

Secure Entry Points When Pool is not in Use

If you are not using the pool, it is advisable to keep entry points closed, so that no one can enter the pool (for safety).

Be prepared for an emergency

In case you see someone drowning or someone is half drowned and unconscious, then what should be done in such a situation? Be prepared for such a situation. Also, keep a dry phone close to the poolside with emergency numbers fed in it or listed somewhere near it.

A swimming pool requires investment of time and energy. A swimming pool owner tries to create a relaxation zone in his backyard. Usually, the owner faces the problem of Cloudy or dull pool water which is caused due to improper chemical balance or debris that remains suspended in the pool water.

Here are 6 easy steps to clear your cloudy pool water.

Step 1

Check the Water chemistry: Test the pool water for combined pH, Alkalinity, Chlorine and Calcium hardness.  All these factors result in cloudy pool water, which may hamper your relaxation time in the pool. pH and calcium hardness are the 2 main factors that turns pool water cloudy.

Step 2

Test the chemical composition of water:  If the chemical composition of the pool water is unbalanced, it is necessary to maintain chemical balance to prevent the pool water turn cloudy. The chemical composition that should be maintained in a pool is as follows:

Free chlorine 1-3 ppm(parts per million)

pH: 7.2-7.6

Total Alkalinity: 90-120 ppm.(Products such as pristine blue requires a total alkalinity of 80 ppm)

Calcium hardness: 200-350 ppm

If the chemical composition is not within the suggested range, adjust the chemical balance and run the pool filtration system for 12-24 hours before retesting.

Step 3:

Check the Chlorine and Bromine level: It is necessary to maintain the chlorine and bromine level. If it is not maintained for 3 consecutive days, it’s a clear indication that there is chlorine demand, which needs to be addressed before the problem worsens.

Step 4:

Check the Pool filter: If all the chemical test of the pool water are in the suggested range, the cloudy pool water is caused due to the debris suspended in pool water. Follow the manufacturer’s instruction and run the filtration system continuously for 24-48 hrs. If you clean the pool filter frequently, there is a possibility that the filter may not function efficiently. A sand bed of filter accumulates debris, it actually helps to tighten the filter and result in better filtration. You should backwash only when the pressure of the water returning to the pool has diminished.

Step 5:

Add a Clarifier pool chemical: If the water conditions haven’t improved significantly even after cleaning the pool filter, add a clarifier pool chemical to clean up the fine debris from water. Keep filtering without interruption until the pool water clears. If the water conditions still don’t improve, add a strong pool clarifier and continue to run the filtration system.

Step 6:

Use a superfloc: If the water is too cloudy for a clarifier, use a super floc. Once you add a superfloc in your pool water, the debris settles down inside the pool. Once the debris settles down, vacuum the pool and enjoy a clear swimming pool with the bottom of the pool visible clearly.

Clean your pool regularly and witness the difference yourself.

Swimming is the best exercise for the body as all the muscles of the body are used. A complete and perfect workout for the body, more effective and causes less stress for the body.

Swim your way to fitness. 

Normally your eyes start to itch and start to itch after a swim. It is an assumption that it’s the chlorine in the water that turns the eyes red. It is not the chlorine, it’s the Chloramines. Chloramines’ is a mixture of chlorine that combines with what comes out of (urine or sweat or personal care products) swimmers bodies.

Chloramines cause irritation in the eyes and respiratory tract that causes adverse effect for people suffering from asthma.  Mixing of chlorine with urine creates chloramines, which uses up the chlorine in the pool, which kills germs otherwise. These germs mix with water when they wash off the swimmers’ bodies.

Chlorine and other pool water treatment don’t kill germs instantly. It takes time to kill the germs.

We share the swimming pool with others, and we must do our part to keep ourselves, our friends and family healthy. To help you protect yourself and other swimmers from germs, here are various prevention measures a swimmer should take before entering the pool:

Shower with a soap before you start swimming.

Take a rinse shower before you get back into water.

Take bathroom breaks every 60 minutes.

Wash your hands before with soap after using the toilet.

Don’t swallow the pool water.

Check the chlorine and pH level before entering.

Shane Gould was an Australian Swimmer, considered as a phenomenal talent. She became the 1st woman to hold World Freestyle record at every distance from 100m to 1500 m. All the records were achieved by her at the tender age of 15.Gould broke or eequalled11 World records and has won 14 individual medals at Australian National Championship.

Gould dominated to such an extent that, during the 1972 Munich Olympics, American Swimmers wore T-shirts bearing the message “All that glitters is not Gould”. At the 1972 Munich Olympics she won 200m and 400 m freestyle and 200 m individual medley setting new world records in each. In addition she also won 3 gold medals, silver in 800 m and bronze in 100m freestyle. She retired at the age of 16. In spite of this, she is considered as one of the greatest swimmers of all time.

Shane returned to competitive swimming two decades later at the Masters Level. She set Australian Masters records (40–44 years) in 100m, 200 m, and 400 m freestyle, and 100 m butterfly and (45–49 years)50 m butterfly, 100 m and 200 m freestyle. She broke the world record for the 45–49 years 200 m individual medley in 2:38.13.

Had Shane not retired at the age of 16, she would have gone on to set new world records and achieved feats which no other sportsperson in the history of Olympics would have been able to achieve.

One of the greatest swimmers to enter the pool.

You dream of having a flat stomach with nicely carved 6 pack abs! But, you don’t have the time to go to the gym and do your crunches. You can attain those abs by doing some simple exercises in the pool. We came across numerous exercises and we zeroed down on 3 exercises.

Your abdominal muscles are most important muscles of your posture and also to prevent back problems. It is necessary to have good abdominal muscles.

1.Walking in Water:

Choose the shallow end of the pool. Make sure your feet touch the bottom of the pool (only your head should be above the ground). Start your workout by walking in the pool from 1 side to the other. As you get used to walking in the pool start lifting your leg till the level of the abs. Alternate your legs.  Make sure that you tighten your abdominal muscles when you lift your leg and you back straight so it is protected.

If you lift your legs at a slower pace it will help you to strengthen your abdominal muscles.  If you lift your legs at a faster pace it will help you burn your abdominal muscles.

2. Pull Ups

Pull ups can be performed in water and they are considered to be the ideal workout for your abdomen. Choose a shallow end of the pool. Turn your back to the rim and grab the wall, straighten your arm and start lifting your legs up to your chest.

Perform slow and fast lifts, make sure you do atleast 10 lifts. While performing this exercise make sure you keep your abdominal muscles tight. To make this exercise more challenging, lift your leg and hold it for 10 seconds; start moving your leg from left to right or vice versa. You can also perform circular moves in water. Perform 10 circles and then change the direction of the moves. Do the same with the other leg.

3. Kickboard Exercises 

Hold the kickboard with your hands facing water. Do some stroke kicks; you must make sure that you keep your abdominal muscles tight. Repeat the same procedure atleast 10 times.

Turn your back and do some back stroke kicks, focusing on tightening your abs and trying to keep your body just 1 inch above the water.

4. Dolphin Kick: 

The Dolphin kick is one of the best exercises for your ab as it also helps to strengthen your glutes and leg muscles.  To do dolphin kick, face the edge of the pool and hold on the edge with both hands. Bring your body up so that it is floating face down in water. Keeping your legs together, move your legs up and down in a fluid motion as a dolphin would. Perform it for 30 seconds and then rest.

Let's Swim

With 12 medals and 8 gold medals Jenny Thompson has more swimming medals and gold medals in Olympic history.

She won more medals and gold medals than any woman in Olympic history. All of her 8 Gold Medals came in relay.  Her only individual medals were a silver in 1992, 100 m freestyle and bronze in the same event in 2000.

Thompson retired and was attending medical school. She came out of retirement and made it to the 2004 Olympic team. She won 2 relay silver medal in Athens.

She won National Championships 23 times. She tasted more success at the World Championships winning 100 free and 100 fly at the 1998 Worlds.  At other major International events, the Pan Pacific’s, Thompson also won 50m free 4 times(1989, 1991, 1993, 1999), the 100m four times (1993-1999) and 100m fly 3 time(1993, 1997-1999).

Her record of 8 Gold Medals (by a woman) was surpassed by Larysa Latnina in Gymnastics and equaled by Birgit Fischer Shmidt in canoeing.

Dedication and hunger for more medals has made Jennifer a successful sportsperson and set records that weren’t broken for a long time.

We have watched Michael Phelps, Ian Thorpe and many other swimming legends in action at the Olympics, swimming their way to glory and increasing the popularity of sport world over.

Big thanks to them. As we know, swimming has a long and a rich history behind it.

There are some odd facts which you may find interesting and still find it odd.

1. The Oldest Swimming Technique:

The Breast stroke is considered to be the oldest swimming technique. Its origins date back to the Stone Age man. You read it right, Eyes popped out? Well, our eyes certainly did when we read about it. 

Proof can be found in a cave called “Wadi Sora” which is located in the southwest region of Egypt. The cave is depicted as “Cave of Swimmers and has found depictions of man in breast stroke position. Nicolas Winman wrote the first book on swimming in 1583(Eyes popped again??) title ‘Colymbetes’, in his book the main feature he wrote about was Breast Stroke Swimming.

2. The Longest Swim:

Martin Strel is most famous for his long distance and he has held numerous world records for his swimming expeditions. He is nicknamed as the “Fishman”.  Strel has successfully swum across many dangerous rivers. In 2007, he swam the entire length of the Amazon river in record breaking time. It took him 66 days to complete this feat as he swam across the 5268 km river. His accomplishments inspired a book on him and also a documentary. He has spread awareness about preserving the Rain Forest all around.

3. Why do swimmers shave their body hairs?

Swimmers are known to have slick body and shave their body hair. What is the need to shave all your body hair? Shaving gives them the physical and psychological benefit. Shaving helps the swimmers make their body slicker and help them better their swimming times.  Shaving gives them the aerodynamic edge that is required to better their swimming times.

The question still persists “Why do swimmers shave “? The reason is; Swimmers remove the dead cells on the surface of epidermis. After the removal of dead skin cells, a swimmer has a heightened water sense and the skin becomes more sensitive. Some swimmers are known to shave their head and feet too

4. Spandex V\S Nylon:

Swimming suits are made of materials that hug the body, decreases friction and helps prevent drag.

Spandex is considered to be the best material but it has a short shelf life. When exposed for long to chlorine, the fibres in spandex weaken and break.

On the other hand, Nylon is chlorine resistant, it doesn't have the drag resistance that spandex has.Thus, swimmers use nylon while training and Spandex while competing.

5. Worlds fastest Swimmer:

You might be wondering who the fastest swimmer on the planet is. Well, the fastest swimming organism is Sailfish. The sailfish can swim up to 110 km/hr and it is considered as a highly prized game fish.

It has the ability to change colour, making it impossible for its prey to recognize the threat and makes it easier for catching its prey. Its long and sharp nail has earned the nickname as Billfish. 

There are man made wonder around the world which leaves us in awe. We can do noting but admire the marvels of the centuries gone by. These marvels have become a part of history and are tourist attractions around the globe.

We have made a list of some the fascinating swimming pools around the world.

The one that tops our list is:

Chile’s Monster Pool

The pool was designed by Crystal Lagoons Corporations headed by Fernando Fischman.

This man made salt water pool is one of the biggest pools in the world.

If you are one of those who likes to do some laps in the pool, then you might not like to miss this. This swimming pool is more than 1000 yards long, covers 20 acres and has a 115 ft deep end. It holds around 66 million gallons of water.

It has been in the building for 5 years. It cost a whooping 1 Billion to build this pool. Its annual maintenance cost is 2 million.

This man made salt water Lagoon has been attracting huge crowds to the San Alfonso del Mar resort in Algarrobo, on Chile’s Southern coast.

The water inside in the pool is so crystal clear that you can actually view the bottom of the pool even at the deep end. The pool contains 250,000 cubic meters of water and can be navigated in small boats. 

It uses a computer-controlled suction and filtration system to keep fresh seawater in permanent circulation drawing it in from one end and pumping it out from the other. The temperature of the pool is 26c, nine degrees warmer than the adjoining sea. 

It surpasses the Big Splash the world's second largest pool, the Orthleib in Morocco. It is 150 yards long and 100 yards wide. An average swimming pool is 50 yards by 25 yards.

Just head to this monster pool and relax.