Best way to cool down after exercise (swimming)

[omniflow]

What's the best way to cool down after swimming so that I don't continue to sweat for 1/2 hour after getting dressed?

I've tried

A few very slow lengths in the pool before I get out
A long cool shower
A long hot shower
Drying myself after my shower and then loitering around the changing rooms for 10 minutes before getting dressed.

I presume the right answer is a combination of three of the above, but should it be a hot shower, or a cool one.

The other thing I've noticed is that I don't seem to start sweating until I'm almost dressed. So all of the time that I'm still wet, I don't seem to be cooling down (or maybe I am, but just not noticing it).

[Stigproducts]

An easier workout.
Patience - just keep on doing it until your body adjusts to what you are doing.
A cooler pool? Are you doing lengths in the kiddie pool?! A decent pool temperature should be unpleasantly cold when you get in and comfortable once you are swimming. I am really sensitive to just one or 2 degree F above normal. If it's a bit hot I will feel uncomfortable once I get into it. Don't ask me what the right number is, I am sure there are parameters out there someone. 79f springs to mind, maybe some pools are kept higher to suit the local patrons. Indoor pools are really humid environments as well, so maybe one with a separate changing area, not one sharing the air with the pool?

[campionissimo]

Stop using the ladies changing rooms........

[gregs656]

Cool shower for me.

I also find drying my hair helps.

And not putting on too many layers too quickly, or not being in too much of a rush generally.

[WarnieV6GT]

Swim, 10 minute sauna then a cold shower. Great start to the day.

[nammynake]

Just stay in the water (not moving), assuming your can just stay at the side and not get in the way of those doing length. Assuming the water is ‘normal’ pool temperature, that will be considerably lower than your body. You should cool down relatively quickly thanks to the thermal conductivity of water, which is much higher than air of the same temperature.

[Otispunkmeyer]

Not sure there is a way to be honest. I've been swimming and training competitively for over 20 years.

A swim down/cool down helps, but I still find, after particularly hard sessions that I'm like a human radiator long into the night. Occasionally so hot that I'll wake up in the night drenched in sweat.

I think pool temperature may make a difference as we do a session in a much cooler pool and the after-burn effect doesn't seem so bad. But yeah, I don't know what it is about swimming that does this. I don't get this from cycling or dragon boating.

[anonymous-user]

I think you’ve got to cool down before the shower.

I do a lot of training in hot climates first thing in the morning and all that works for me is cooling down for half and hour ish then showering. Anything else and I start sweating again after the shower.

If I’m swimming in the U.K. in a gym pool, I just swim, shower and drive off with all my car windows open. I’m not having to go to work after the swim though.

I did some HIIT yesterday and I was still sweating half an hour after I’d finished.

I think sometimes if you’re a bit hot and bothered you can make yourself feel more hot and bothered by stressing about it, especially if you’re having to go somewhere or wear clothes that might show it.

I had a friend in the marines and he used to talk about imagining he was warm after having to jump into holes in the ice during some nutty military training. I do the same when I’m hot and bothered and it seems to help a bit. It’s like mindfulness or for people, who’s are feeling stresssed. If you’re hot, just slowly counting your breaths and imagining cold water flowing down through your body. Etc. There’s loads of short 1 minute mindfulness clips on YouTube etc than might help you cool down.

We’re all different though.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 31st October 10:06

[anonymous-user]

Otispunkmeyer said:

Not sure there is a way to be honest. I've been swimming and training competitively for over 20 years.

A swim down/cool down helps, but I still find, after particularly hard sessions that I'm like a human radiator long into the night. Occasionally so hot that I'll wake up in the night drenched in sweat.

I think pool temperature may make a difference as we do a session in a much cooler pool and the after-burn effect doesn't seem so bad. But yeah, I don't know what it is about swimming that does this. I don't get this from cycling or dragon boating.

I think it’s that you can’t sweat as much when you’re swimming and all your pores and skin can’t radiate heat as effectively.

I’m much hotter and take longer to cool down after a pool swim compared to open water swimming, even in hot climates. The whole pool environment is pretty humid and difficult to cool down in usually.