Masters Swimming with MSA | #SweatDate
- Grace
- Dec 16, 2016
- 4 min read
Masters swimming is a unique and relatively under-promoted niche in the fitness world. If you haven't been exposed to swimming for fitness before you are out of school, you probably have no idea this even exists. Did you know there are “swim lessons” for adults looking to do a little bit more than just tread water and float? Masters swimming is for people over the age of 18 looking to get a serious workout from the pool - no other prerequisites. From my experience, people typically fall into one of the following categories:
1. Don’t know how to swim and think they’re too old to learn. YOU CAN LEARN!
2. Know how to swim for leisure but not well enough to swim for exercise. YOU CAN LEARN!
3. Can swim well but have since given up that lifestyle and can’t imagine getting back in the pool. WIMP!
4. Can swim and want to learn but too embarrassed of their swimsuit / Speedo body. NOBODY CARES!!!!
All of these levels are welcome in Masters swimming. While some Master’s programs are geared more toward a competitive level, nearly all teams encourage and adjust practices for those new or just getting back into the sport. Swimming is a low impact cardio workout that offers stroke, technique, interval and endurance training in one session. It is an exercise that gets passed up perhaps a little too often for what it can contribute to your fitness goals. Many Masters teams will even let you come in and try a few workouts for free to make sure it’s a match and they have what you need! You really can't beat that. Don’t commit until you know that this is what works for you. Been there, done that, no thank you.
I workout (not frequently enough) at Mecklenburg Swim Association (MSA). MSA is one of the Masters swimming teams in the Charlotte area offering swim practice in a team setting to people over the age of 18. Meet my coach, Patty. The head coach of MSA and with over 30 years of coaching experience under her belt, Patty has taught them all... sinkers to world record holders. MSA Masters welcomes swimmers of all ability levels and provides instruction to help you reach any goal be it learning to swim, general fitness maintenance, triathlon training or competitive fine tuning. I am showing up for some active recovery from my other #SweatDates.
(See the video below to check out what a swim with MSA looks like)
While every pool is different and some are newer than others, the beautiful thing about swimming is that all you need is water. Ok... you need a few more things for comfort and coverage like a swimsuit and goggles but otherwise it is a relatively inexpensive sport to take up. Just show up. If you know what you are doing, the workouts are written for you. If you don’t know what you are doing, you can join my boyfriend in the Nemo lane and get some much more tailored instruction and supervision. Some clubs will post the sets at the end of the lanes while others will verbally walk you through a practice set by set. Nearly all clubs will follow a similar setup. Practice will start with a warm up, a main set (or a few) and topped off with a cool down. And while jumping in the water at the butt crack of dawn is not always the most pleasant thing, you’ll be warmed up in no time moving almost constantly for the duration of practice. Also, there are later workouts throughout the day...but I am a morning swimmer.
The other beautiful thing about masters swimming is the community. I’ve swum, coached and visited a few masters teams in my time and I have yet to meet a team that doesn’t like to drink...like a fish (get it?). Even if you don’t drink, the social aspect of Masters Swimming is huge. While some teams are primarily older or primarily younger most are a good mix of everyone from 18-90. Swimming is a lifelong sport that can be taken up at any age. Great cardio, fun atmosphere and an awesome way to help your muscles actively recover, swimming (although I’m biased) is one of my favorite additions for any week of sweats.
Don’t think you’re in “good enough” shape to strip down to a suit? Feel weird really branching out and trying something totally new? Not sure if you quite fit the bill for qualifying as a swimmer? You aren’t alone. People of all ages, sizes, fitness levels and backgrounds come to swim at any masters team. Of course you’ll have the perfectly sculpted and totally shredded bods (as is true in most workouts) but these are fewer and further between. So toss your insecurities to the side and just go try one. Let me tell you a secret. NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOUR BODY IN A SWIMSUIT - THIS AIN'T THE BEACH! Order a swim suit off Amazon and give it a shot. Men, you’re looking for a “Jammer or Speedo” - If you’re new to it or at all modest...stick to the Jammer.
As is true in finding a gym that’s right for you, finding a pool that’s the best fit is no different. Different people, different ages, different goals all add up to a different experience. In the end each one of these teams exists because they want to help others find swimming, no matter the experience level, and help inspire motivate and challenge you to the next level. Find a place to swim HERE
As a past coach of Masters swimming I’ve heard it all from newcomers to professional athletes just stopping by for a hometown dip. Ask what you’ll need to bring, what’s provided, if they offer a free trial period. Talk to the coach, TELL THEM YOU'RE NEW! It’s not a bad thing. It will help you and it will help the coach get you situated. Just own it. Jump in and give it a try.
Feel free to message me if you have any questions about swimming. I would love to help you discover the sport (and fitness) that WAS my life for 18+ years.
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