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Post by jen on Sept 2, 2008 21:38:42 GMT -5
I know I've talked to a couple of you about this but want any other input...looking for options for a place to swim this winter. I live in Lakewood and was going to the high school but have been told that it gets quite crowded when the weather turns. Also, I figure I may as well find somewhere that offers spinning classes too to work on that aspect of things. The Lakewood Y seems like my best bet but didn't know what the pool is like there (still self-conscious in the pool but hope Rob can turn me into a fish this winter ;D) or if anyone had other suggestions. I need to find an option to make swimming as appealing as possible! Thanks!
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Post by Aussie Rob on Sept 2, 2008 21:44:25 GMT -5
The lakewood Y pool sucks.
Its too hot, usually about 88 degrees, and crowded at night because they only dedicate 2 lanes for laps. You can get a lane in the early AM (like 6am) when they allocate 4 laps lanes till 7:45, which is what i did all last winter, but thats literally the only time it wasn't crowded. I plan on joining the masters at the highschool this year, but will keep the YMCA membership cause its cheap and useful for offseason weights, or treadmills if its REALLY snowing balls out.
The rest of the gym is good though, and if you swim early and dont mind hot water....it could be for you. They have spin classes too. Just try and avoid peak times.....the place draws people from all over because its new. I miss the old dungeon lakewood YMCA....only people who lived in lakewood went there and it wasnt crowded.
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jbird
Olympic Member
"It's good to be alive'
Posts: 99
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Post by jbird on Sept 3, 2008 5:20:13 GMT -5
Westlake Y is the same as far as pool temp. Less crowded in the evening lap times. The spin class both Tues and Thurs is fantastic. The class starts at 5:45am and is led by a great instructor. I have became a pretty strong cyclist due to this class ;D
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Post by jen on Sept 3, 2008 6:05:22 GMT -5
Thanks for the input guys. I have come to realize that for the swimming I'm just going to have to suck it up and get up early in the morning to do that, or so it seems from the times pools are open. Warm water is probably good for me, especially once winter comes to make me get into the pool. Someone else suggested the lakewood masters but I think I need some work before I do that. If you join the Y you can use all the Ys is what I had heard? It just doesn't seem like there are many gyms in this area. The other option would be finding somewhere between here and work (Broadview Hts).  |
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Post by sarazim on Sept 3, 2008 7:27:51 GMT -5
Yep, you can use all the Ys...it's nice sometimes to have different locations if you're out and about some way! I usually swam at the Westshore Y but sometimes would hit West Park, Lakewood, or Parma. What really needs to happen is someone needs to come up with a way to put a long course lap in my basement. For about 20 bucks.  |
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Post by MattCollister on Sept 3, 2008 7:28:17 GMT -5
CSU
I swim at CSU occasionally with Jen and with masters. I am also a YMCA member. The Y's pool is not even in the same league as CSU's. I'd quit the Y and join CSU permanently if it weren't for three things:
-- CSU is out of my way - I live and work in Lake County (Jen works downtown, so it works for her)
-- CSU's fitness center is very, very nice, except that they don't have a platform for doing Olympic lifts. It's more geared towards bodybuilding.
-- The Y does offer reciprocity with other Ys countrywide. I took advantage of this recently while traveling and it was very nice.
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jbird
Olympic Member
"It's good to be alive'
Posts: 99
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Post by jbird on Sept 3, 2008 10:39:20 GMT -5
The Lakewood Y is a bit longer lap length. Alot of new swimmers feel more comfortable at Westlake Y because it is a lot shorter lanes, and the design of the pool itself. As for me, I woould swim in a muddy creek if that is all I had. LOL. BTW what times are you at Westlake Sara?
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Post by sarazim on Sept 3, 2008 14:18:47 GMT -5
Hey Jbird--I'm not at the Y anymore...it was so much cheaper for me to go to the Rocky River Rec Center, which is brand spankin' new, and has a 25 yard pool vs. the 20 at the Y. But you have to either live in RR or work there to use it. Plus it's not quite as warm, which is a plus!
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Post by suziharman on Sept 3, 2008 17:48:49 GMT -5
I say check out the Lakewood Masters. I was a solid "last lane" participant and never felt unwelcome. It is a nice group and will help you improve. It's worth checking it out, IMO. Good luck!
jbird - I'll be back at the Westlake Y when they open the pool again next week. I'll be the pregnant one waddling in. Mostly in the mornings and on Sunday morning. Hope to see ya!
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Post by emmy tris... on Sept 4, 2008 9:16:52 GMT -5
i live in lakewood too. currently i am without a gym membership b/c i had moved home to avon lake briefly and had been swimming at emh. i work for the cleve clinic who is offering their employees memberships this fall at no charge to their gyms. the one downtown has a lap pool. has anyone been there?
is lakewood masters at the Y? do you have to have a membership to swim?
anyways...
last year i swam at CSU. as matt said, it's totally awesome. it's set up as 50m for a good part of the year except when swim season is in session. the pool is competition temp 76-78 and NEVER crowded. in 1.5yrs i never waited for a lane. they have a separate pool for aerobics which helps keep it clear for swimmers. i took a few classes there last year so my membership was free. they offer community memberships, but i think it's pricey. if i wasnt a poor student id be swimming there still! that pool is fabulous!
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Post by Angie on Sept 4, 2008 9:20:34 GMT -5
Em- The lap pool at the downtown CC gym is warm and yucky.. I only swam there once. I swim with lakewood masters... we practice at lakewood high school on the winter and forster pool at the park in the summer. Summer sessions are over and we are back to the indoor pool. Check out the masters webpage for info and pricing information www.ohiomasters.comP.S. The lake was super wavy today and I did not swim. Good thing you slept in. ANGIE |
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Post by sarajean on Sept 4, 2008 11:42:30 GMT -5
Rocky River Civic Center has a Tuesday 5:30 AM "Swim conditioning" class for which non-residents can register. It caters to a variety of ability levels. Last summer, one woman in the class was learning to swim for her first tri while I was training for my first open-water mile and needed an "appointment" so I'd get out of bed in the morning.
The drawback is that the pool is on the warm side.
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Post by sidmcmahon on Sept 5, 2008 13:56:27 GMT -5
Jen
I swim at the Westshore Y, probably the worst place on the planet. As stated above 20 yard pool and water temp 88-90. The pool has been down for the last 3 weeks and I have been swimming at the Lakewood Y. Have been there at different times and never had to wait for a lane. Water temp has been 84, still probably a bit to hot, but doable.
I swam in Rob's clinic the last two winters so am used to swimming in lanes with many people. But am still a poor swimmer. I personally would be a bit apprehensive about joining a master program. Maybe unwarranted, but I would be nervous about slowing the lane down.
Before joining a master program, I would recommend going to a few sessions to see what the atmosphore is and how you would fit it. Might be ok, but you might also want to swim alone at a place like a Y.
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Post by Kim Zepp on Sept 5, 2008 16:08:27 GMT -5
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Post by emmy tris... on Sept 9, 2008 14:02:55 GMT -5
Angie-
Thanks!
I have yet to go to the CC downtown gym, our free membership doesnt start until Nov. I figured it was gross. Oh well.
I think Im going to join masters though. I really need to be pushed in the pool, I havent had a swim buddy for years and those workouts are great and motivating. How often do you go? Since I work night shift I may only be able to make one workout per week and if I can ever make a second I can always pay to "drop in", right? The fee for 5 months isnt bad, I think it will be worth it!
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Post by Angie on Sept 9, 2008 14:13:52 GMT -5
Em- You can always drop in. I will be swimming on monday and wednesday nights until NVC starts in dec. After that I will switch wed for saturday morning.  7:30 saturday morning is hard to take in the winter but it wakes you up!!! ANGIE |
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jbird
Olympic Member
"It's good to be alive'
Posts: 99
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Post by jbird on Sept 9, 2008 16:41:48 GMT -5
I saw you in there this morning Suzi. I do the spin class on tues and thurs. I'll be in there tomorrow though, roasting away lol.
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Post by djchippi on Sept 25, 2008 10:00:47 GMT -5
I swim at Westlake and the water temp is not too bad, meaning it is not that warm. I swim at 5am and very rarely do we have to share lanes. From memory I think there are 6 lanes.
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Post by debbie on Sept 26, 2008 9:56:44 GMT -5
North Olmsted Rec center has lap swim every mornings, currently you could swim 6am to 1 or 2 and during open swims in afternoons. Evening hours the lessons take over the pool but lap swim is usually available 6:30/7:30 - 9:30 pm depending on the day. The temp is always pretty good. This is a good option if you don't have a gym membership. The rec center is shabby but the pool is always clean and not crowded (they have outdoor one for summer too). IT is open Saturday and SUndays as well.
Someday maybe we will have a nice rec center like all the other surrounding cities.
I occasionally get my swims in at the rec center even though I swim at the Y. I hate having to pay to do laps when I have a Y membership but sometimes it works that way esecially with kids. Even though I live in North Olmsted I go to the lakewood Y to swim. But I'm glad I have Westlake and Lakewood option.
debbie
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7:30 saturday morning is hard to take in the winter but it wakes you up!!! 