Why We Rinse Off Before and After Swim Lessons (2024)

Enrolling in lessons is a great way to learn to swim in Mar Vista. You can conquer your fear of the water, improve your technique, or instill in your kids an early love of swimming. One thing that will make your lessons better on your health is to shower before and after your lessons. Showering before your lesson prevents any dirt, sweat, lotions, or oils on your body from getting into the pool. Showering after your lesson gets rid of any germs and sweat on your body.

Showering Before Entering the Pool

You may think it’s odd to shower before entering a swimming pool. You’re getting into the water, so why is it important to shower first? The water does clean your body, but those particles being rinsed from your body by the pool water don’t just disappear. They go into the water. So, by showering, you’re doing your fellow swimmers a favor.

Some particles from your body don’t mix well with chlorine. The pool maintains a chemical balance. As substances from your body and the bodies of other swimmers enter the pool, the more chlorine it takes to keep the pool clean. Do your part to keep the pool water as pure as possible.

Chlorine

Chlorine is added to the water in a pool to kill communicable bacterial or parasitic pathogens. It kills germs, such as E-coli. Chlorine acts as a disinfectant. It makes the water safer and cleaner, but it can react with organic compounds brought into the pool to create gases called Trihalomethanes (THMs). THMs are not good things, but if everyone showers before entering the pool, the effects of THMs can be controlled.

Don’t be fooled by the smell of chlorine. The stronger odor of chlorine doesn’t mean the pool is cleaner; it means more chlorine is necessary to maintain the chemical balance of the water. So, if swimmers rinse off before entering the pool, the chlorine smell should not be as strong.

Be proactive and prevent some of the problems that chlorine may cause. For example, apply a conditioner with a sun protectant to prevent your hair from “bleaching out” in the pool. You can also protect your hair by combing a small amount of olive oil, baby oil, or coconut oil through your hair before your swimming lesson.

Showering After Exiting the Pool

Now that you know what can happen if organic material from swimmers’ bodies gets into the pool water, it should not surprise you that it’s a good idea to shower after exiting the pool. Showering will get rid of the chlorine and any foreign agents you may have picked up from the pool. Make sure to rinse your hair and wash your swimsuit after you swim.

Showering after you swim will keep your skin from becoming dry. You don’t have to worry about picking up a germ, and you’ll get rid of that chlorine smell. It only takes a few minutes to shower, so make sure you make it a priority. You shower after jogging or lifting weights — think of swimming in the same way! Just because you’re in water doesn’t mean you’re not working up a sweat.

Providing a healthy and safe environment for swimmers is a top priority at SwimRight Academy in Mar Vista. Swimming lessons can prepare you for a lifetime of enjoying water activities. When you’re learning to swim, be a responsible swimmer by taking the time to shower before and after your swimming lessons. Enroll in a class today!