As the weather cools off, it can become more and more difficult to stay motivated for swimming in the pool. Whether you swim in an outdoor pool or the pool is inside, you can still encounter issues with feeling cold before you enter the pool and after you get out. These tips can help you stay warm in and out of the pool.

Dress Warmly

Some swimmers make the mistake of dressing lightly before heading to the pool, even in cold weather, so they don’t shock their bodies when they enter the cooler water. This is often a mistake. It is best to keep your body warm before you get in the pool and after you get out. A swim parka or other swim jacket can be a great option for those cooler days at the pool.

Keep Everything Close

While this isn’t possible during competitions, you should keep all your swim gear as close to the pool as possible during your workouts and practices. This allows you to easily access equipment without getting out of the pool and places your towel in easy reach when you are ready to get out. This will minimize the cold feelings you get going in and out of the pool.

Just Dive In

Don’t waste your time trying to get used to the water little by little. It may feel like a shock when you first dive in, but pushing off the inevitable will only prolong the col feelings. Once you are in the water, begin your warm-up exercises and just keep on going. Maintaining motion in the water will keep you from getting cold through your workout.

Downsize Rest Breaks

While every swimmer needs rest breaks, you shouldn’t take prolonged breaks. Keep in mind that chatting with teammates between laps and races count toward these rest breaks. The more time you spend sitting still, the colder you will feel.

Feeling cold is a normal part of the process when you are a swimmer. However, this doesn’t mean you have to settle for being cold. These tips are designed to minimize the chill you feel, both in the pool and when you get out. Prolonging the inevitable isn’t going to be much help. Instead, you need to get yourself motivated to keep moving and dress properly so you can enjoy those colder swims even more.