When traveling, you won’t always have access to a standard lap pool for swim workouts. That can be frustrating, but don’t worry. You can still get a great workout in a hotel pool!

Most hotels have pools that are perfect for a quick swim – you just need to get creative. Check out our top 3 ways to get a workout in a hotel pool, and give them a try on your next trip.


Before You Start: Manage Your Expectations

When you’re swimming in a hotel pool, it’s important to set your expectations. Know that your swimming experience will probably be different from your usual lap pool, and that’s ok.

What’s important is that you’re getting your body moving. This is a chance to mix up your workout routine!

Try These Hotel Pool Workout Ideas

1. Swim Laps

This is probably the most obvious. If your hotel pool is long enough, try swimming laps! Some resorts have their own 25-yard or 25-meter lap pools, complete with lane lines! If that’s the case for you, you can swim your usual workouts, no problem.

Related: 30-Minute Swim Workout to Burn MAX Calories

If your hotel doesn’t have a lap pool, ask the front desk how long the pool is. Enter the pool length in the MySwimPro app, and the app will customize the entire library of Guided Workouts to your new pool length. Sync your Workout to your smartwatch for Set-by-Set guidance.

If you do choose to swim laps, keep an eye out for leisure swimmers using the pool, too. Make sure you swim straight so you don’t bump into them!

2. Dryland & Swim Combo Circuit

If lap swimming isn’t in the cards for you, try a short swim and dryland combo circuit instead! 

Choose a few bodyweight exercises (1 upper body focus, 1 lower body focus, 1 core focus and 1 cardio focus) and swim a lap or 2 after completing 10 reps of each exercise. Rest and repeat until you’ve reached your desired workout duration. This one can be a killer, so be warned! 

Here’s an example dryland and swim circuit:

  • 10x Deck Push Outs
  • Swim 1 lap
  • 10x Squats
  • Swim 1 lap
  • 10x Mountain Climbers on each leg
  • Swim 1 lap
  • 10x Burpees
  • Swim 1 lap
  • 1-4 Rounds, rest as needed

Customize your workout and increase the intensity as follows:

  • Complete multiple rounds of your circuit
  • Increase the effort or distance of your swims between exercises
  • Increase the number of reps for each exercise, or do each exercise for a specific interval (ex: 30 seconds of each exercise)
  • Reduce the rest between each set. 

Give this HIIT dryland & swim workout a try >

3. Pool Running or Aqua Jogging

If you’re feeling a more low-impact workout, pool running (or aqua jogging) can be a great option, and is a good alternative to running on land. Shallow hotel pools are usually great for this!

As you run, you’ll push against the water’s resistance. The deeper the water, the more resistance you’ll experience. Pro tip: Aqua Jogging is a great way to rehab lower body injuries, too!

What is your favorite way to stay active while traveling? Let us know in the comments! For more swim tips and workout ideas, subscribe to the MySwimPro YouTube channel.

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