5 Things to Know About Lap Swimming Temperature

The ideal lap swimming temperature is 78 to 82°F (25-28°C). This range lets most people swim hard without overheating or shivering.

Water warmer than 82°F feels like swimming in soup. Your body cannot dump heat fast enough during hard exercise, so you will overheat and slow down.

Water colder than 78°F will make you shiver after about 20 minutes. This is especially true if you have low body fat.

Competitive pools run 77-80°F because elite swimmers generate more body heat. For a normal lap swimmer, 80-82°F is more comfortable.

Adjust the temperature based on your situation. Go warmer if you are pregnant, have joint issues, or only do slow recovery laps. If you are shivering or sweating excessively, the temperature is wrong for you.