Is swimming a healthy form of exercise?

All physical exercise is healthy, of course, but swimming can be a particularly good exercise choice for a number of people. Because swimming is not a weight-bearing exercise (that is, it puts no pressure on your bones), it is a good choice for people who are recovering from bone or joint injuries or who suffer from osteoporosis.

Swimming, if you perform a variety of strokes, uses most of the muscles in your body so it's a good all-round exercise option. Swimming helps you build your cardiovascular strength and muscle strength as well. If you're thinking of starting an exercise program, consider added swimming sessions to your exercise plan if your doctor approves.

How are public swimming pools disinfected?

Public swimming pools can use one of a variety of methods to disinfect the water in the pool. All pools should have a system in place to ensure that water flows constantly around the pool - a key strategy in keeping pool water clean. The most common method of pool disinfection is chemical. Chemical disinfection involves adding a bacteria-killing chemical such as chlorine or bromine to the water in the pool to disinfect it.

Pool managers quite often use water filters in addition to chemical disinfection techniques. Some pools may also use ultra-violet light to disinfect the water the pool. Public pools are required to adhere to health code standards of pool disinfection, so whatever disinfection method your local pool uses, the pool water should be clean and disinfected.

What can I do at a public swimming pool? Is there anything to do besides swim?

Many public swimming pools offer other activities besides swimming. Pools may have water polo courts, or they may conduct water-walking, water-running, or other exercise classes. Some pools might offer diving lessons, if they have a deep diving pool.

Larger pools might have a rope swing, water slide, or section of the pool where you can use aquatic toys. It's possible to have a great time at a public swimming pool without spending the entire time swimming.

I would like my child to take swim lessons. Do public swimming pools offer swim courses?

Being able to swim is a necessary skill, and one every child should acquire. Many public swimming pools offer swim lessons, through the Red Cross, Royal Lifesaving Society, or other organizations. Before assigning your child to a particular swim class level, instructors will check his or her swimming ability.

Swim lessons are generally scheduled to coordinate with school holidays, or are offered after school or on weekends.

Must I wear a swimming cap and swim goggles at a public swimming pool?

Regulations about swimming caps and swim goggles at swimming pools vary across the UK. In some regions local governments will require everyone using the pool to wear a swimming cap and goggles, but in other regions they are optional.

This is something you should check with the pool before you visit.

Must I shower before entering a public swimming pool?

Many public swimming pools require swimmers to shower before entering the pool. As everyone shares the water in the pool, it's important to make sure that you've rinsed any sweat or dirt off your body before you enter.

Even if showering before entering the pool is not mandatory at a public swimming pool, it's always a good idea.

My child is not yet potty-trained. May I bring her to a public swimming pool?

Different public pools have different rules about brining babies or toddlers who are not yet potty-trained into the pool. Some pools will permit non-potty-trained children to enter the pool as long at they're wearing a swim diaper, and may even schedule special parent-and-baby swim sessions.

Other pools will ask you to refrain from bringing children who are not potty-trained into the pool. Still others may have minimum age limits for children to use their pool, regardless of whether they are potty-trained or not. You will need to check this with the public swimming pool you're planning to visit.

What else should I be aware of if I take my young child to a public swimming pool?

If you're planning to bring a young child to the swimming pool with you, be aware that young children are more susceptible to ear infections than are adults, and may develop an infection if pool water remains in their ears.

Also, chlorinated pool water can irritate the skin of young children. Make sure your child showers with fresh water after leaving the pool and dries her ears thoroughly.