Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Water Fitness/Swimming and Pain Relief

I spent 11 years in water exercise. It was the best thing ever. Then the pool was condemned and closed in our town. Since we moved I haven't gottent started back. We joined a gym that has a pool and first I started working out with a trainer who "overdid" me and I haven't gotten to be at the gym in 2 months! It is back to the pool for me. Forget the trainer and the weight machines! The pool should be prescribed to everyone.

Thanks for bringing this up. When I can, I am going back and this is encouragement to me.

Blessings.
Possi

Cold pools suck Cindy! Can you use your physio status mixed with your AS story to influence a pool to up their temp? We found a community centre that has a pool (it's sometimes too cold, but since i'm a big shiate disturber I complained (i'm sure alot of the other seniors complained too), and the temp is better. Never know?

I remember a AS forum where a woman in a wheelchair here in Toronto made a big fuss with the government about heated therapy pools (and how cutbacks closed many of them down). Don't know if it helped though.

Being on both sides of the coin, so to speak, in aquatics I can tell you why community pools remain too cold for us AS'ers. I was the Aquatics director for years at a local YMCA in our area. There are so many programs running in our community pools and Arthritis programs are a small part in comparrison to the whole pool usage, income and expences, it all comes down to dollars and cents. The Arthritis Foundation, which most community pools use their guidelines, calls for water temps to be between 81 and 90. It all comes down to general public comfort. Most community pools will keep their water temps around 81-83 that way they are within AF guidelines and comfort for the rest of their programs. Regular water aerobics and swim team require cooler water. Since open swims, water aerobics, swim lesson, and swim teams are the main income these pools have an excuse to cut costs when it comes to water temp. Majority rules and they pinch pennies. The cost to run a 188,000 gal pool is huge and every degree they can cut is thousands of dollars a year. The problem is anything under 88 is too cold for most Arthritis programs. It's beurocracy in action.
Cindy

I found that I could handle the temp at 83 just fine but when it was time for a swim meet they would have to cool it off. (It was our community pool and the school used it). They would continue our classes "if" we wanted to be there. One time I got in at 77 and that was the dumbest thing I ever did. It took me 2 days to get my bones warm.
I got to where I would go pull the thermometer out and look before I got in.

You are right about the temp and the way they have to keep it. Warmer than 83 and the swimmers complain; cooler than 83 and we would complain. I went to a PT who kept there pool at 88 and that was much to hot for me. I would get out exhausted.

My daughter has a Health, Recreation, Physical Education degree and all of the Aquatics certifications and ran a "Y" program for a number of years. She has been so much help to me. She is encouraging me right now and as soon as this flare lets up, she is going with me to my first class in our new location. That helps so much to not walk in by yourself. So, friends, find you a buddy to go with. You will end up with friends in your classes just like we have here. The support is wonderful.

I have enjoyed this thread.

Cindy, how are you today? I think of you daily.

Hugs and Blessings.
Possi

Yeah Possi
If you can tolerate the water temp. go for it. You will be glad you did.
I'm hangin in there, day by day, one big waiting game.
Cindy

I have been going to a heated therapy pool since March this year. It is very beneficial. I had some time off because of an ear infection, and then the pool was closed for two weeks. I am now back to the pool and it makes a real difference.

I do at least 4 laps swimming in the pool. I like to do the swimming as well as the prescribed exercises.

For Oz ASers living in Victoria area. Daughter of a friend of mine has a swimming pool fitness centre.

Was chatting with Liz at some daft early hour this morning on this very subject, she said that I must go over and join in the classes - yea, long way for aerobic fitness classes Details:-

Julia Wood
Parkmore Swim Centre
Teaching the Community to Swim & Survive
1 - 3 Isaac Road, Keysborough, VIC, 3173
p: 9798 1835 | f: 9585 0238
e: julia@parkmoreswimcentre.com.au
w: parkmoreswimcentre.com.au

>> Water aerobics classes are held four times a week.
No need to book, just come along. <<

Molly
Keeping on Keeping on (but not swimming it!)

Jeanne,

I can never stress enough, what water therapy, exercise, or just pain swimming can do for AS'ers. Keep up the good work and spread the word.
Cindy

If i could find a pool close to me I'd be so down for pooling it up! BUT I am going to join the fitness club thats in the building where I work. It's only 15 bucks a month and it's not a chain where you have to sign up for a year and get screwed. With that 15 bucks I get a full fitness evaluation and help from the people who run it to create a workout thats for someone with AS. I can't WAIT. Pilates has also helped a LOT since it's non impact and if one of the exercises hurt you can move on without ruining the benefits. I sure do miss having a pool to swim in but I think those things will help just as well.

Good luck though with the pool activities and I'm VERY jealous!!!

Marnie