Swim training has a variety of health benefits including muscle strengthening and cardiovascular fitness. If you have the option of training in the pool or in the ocean, you should consider a few factors that differentiate their benefits. If you are training for a triathlon or swimming competition that involves the ocean, you should alternate your pool and ocean training regularly.
Safety
Training for swimming in a pool is almost always safer than training in the ocean. Variables including waves, rip tides and strong currents can prevent you from reaching your destination or cause you to become extremely fatigued. Natural predators including jellyfish and sharks exist in some areas and present real dangers to ocean swimmers. Oceans are also far deeper, preventing you from stopping and resting if you become fatigued. Finally, not all ocean space is monitored by lifeguards or trained rescue personnel, as most pools are.
Weather
Weather can change rapidly when training in the ocean. Offshore winds can carry in big waves, especially near shallow areas. Temperature can change rapidly as the sun sets, or as clouds set in. Unexpected storms can bring rain, hail or even lightning, making your swim in an ocean more dangerous. Weather is not a factor in indoor pools and plays a very limited role in outdoor pools. If weather changes for the worse in an outdoor pool, you can simply get out and seek shelter.
Water Behavior
The different behavior of the water in oceans and swimming pools may challenge or benefit your training goals. In a controlled pool environment, you can work on fine tuning strokes and techniques without worrying about your surroundings. However, to become an efficient ocean swimmer or to compete in a triathlon, you must train in the ocean. The ocean can provide resistance through currents and waves, making you a stronger swimmer with higher endurance.
Water Density & Temperature
In many areas of the world, ocean water is significantly colder than available pool water. The colder temperatures make it harder for your muscles to stay warm and increases the chance of cramping. If you are training in cold ocean water, consider wearing a lightweight wetsuit that will help contain some of your body heat. Ocean water is also more dense than most pool water, because of the ocean's high salt content. Denser water translates to a more buoyant force pushing up on you. As a result, ocean water is easier to float in and when calm, may provide a faster swimming experience because less of your energy is needed to stay afloat.
References
- TriNewbies: Open Water Swimming Tips for Triathletes: Overcoming Your Fears; Hazen Kent
- "Black Belt"; The Tae-Kwon-Do Water Workout; Jimmie Nixdorf; September, 1991
- "Outside the Box: A Total Immersion Guide for Success in Open Water"; Terry Laughlin
- "Triathlon Training for Dummies"; Deirdre Pitney, et al.; 2008
Member Comments