Pool Closed During the Coronavirus Outbreak? Here’s How to Keep Swimming Anyway
Athletes shared a few creative ways to stay active on social media.
When pools across the country locked their doors this month to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, runners, triathletes, and swimmers alike shared a collective cry.
If you’re an injury-prone runner like me, swimming offers a fantastic way to reap the cardio benefits of a high-mileage week without all the pounding of running. Many runners—including pros—substitute a weekly base run or double run with a session in the pool as a low-impact way to boost their endurance as well as upper body and core strength. Steeplechaser Colleen Quigley of Bowerman Track Club frequently documents her #MermaidMonday swim sessions, while Molly Huddle supplemented her training for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with time in the pool.
But what happens when all of the pools are closed? Do we just give up swimming for the time being? Unlike other cross-training activities like cycling, we can’t just slip on a swimsuit and paddle out the front door. Plus, installing an indoor pool at home is likely not an option for most and not nearly as easy or affordable as setting up a treadmill or bike trainer.
But if there’s one thing that this pandemic has taught us, it’s that we can—and must—be adaptable with our daily routines, including our workout regimes. Here, we’re highlighting a few creative (and humorous) ways that athletes are simulating swimming while the public pools are closed.
Set Up a Backyard Pool
Triathlete Daniela Ryf, a four-time Ironman world champion from Switzerland, made her own swimming space by filling up an outdoor pool and using a bungee cord to add enough resistance to lock her in place in the middle of the pool while she swam. Due to the chilly outdoor (and presumably water) temps, she donned a wetsuit to keep warm.
Swim Safely in Shallow Water
Five-time Olympic gold medalist Nathan Adrian—who happens to be six feet and six inches tall—told the New York Times that he has been training in a three-foot-deep pool at the swim school he runs in San Rafael, California, during the coronavirus pandemic.
Hop in the Tub
Texas-based swim coach Bree Soileau focused on one positive of staying home rather than heading to the pool: bathwater is much warmer than pool water. As a joke—we think—she strapped on fins, goggles, and a cap to practice freestyle and backstroke in the tub.
Practice Your Stroke with Resistance Bands
Nothing will stop the Wagner College Triathlon Team of Staten Island, New York, from gaining swim strength during this unpredicted off-season. One athlete, lying facedown on an exercise bench, practiced her freestyle stroke by using paddles that were attached to resistance bands.
Do Yoga Moves Inspired by Swimming
Ann Mazur, who raced the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials, told Runner’s World earlier this year that swimming between 4,000 and 5,000 yards each day helped her increase her cardio fitness and keep injuries at bay during intense marathon training blocks. With laps off the table right now, she’s practicing swimming-specific yoga moves to help maintain her core strength and mobility until the pools open up again.
Get Creative in the Kiddie Pool
Dutch swimmer Sharon van Rouwendaal, who won the 2016 Olympic gold medal in the 10K open water swim, has made do with an outdoor kiddie pool for the time being. For the “open water” simulation, she wore a wet suit with a bungee cord attached to her waist.
At the End of the Day, Don’t Stress Too Much About It
While it’s natural to miss swimming, U.S. triathlete Sarah True, who is married to elite runner Ben True, reminds us that we shouldn’t worry too much about continuing to swim at this time. Instead of stressing about simulating the sport, she encourages athletes to strength train and do other activities—such as running, biking, or an at-home workout video—to get the same aerobic benefits as swimming.
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