What to wear on feet for cold water swimming?
Neoprene socks — To cover up your feet I use the neoprene socks from HUUB. They are rather good and does work in very cold water. When I used them for swimming in 3 degrees I had an extra pair of wool socks underneath. Super stretchy neoprene swimming and triathlon gloves. These swimming gloves are very comfortable and feature a wrist gasket to minimise the amount of water ingress whilst swimming. Our soft and stretchy swimming and triathlon neoprene gloves are great for open water swim training in the colder months.Step in neoprene swimming gloves. Designed to keep your hands (and sometimes wrists) warmer in cold water, they can be brilliant for protecting your fingers from pain, numbness and nerve damage. However, some cold water swimmers warn against wearing neoprene gloves.
What is the secret to cold water swimming?
The secret to acclimatising to cold water is just to swim in it, often – at least once a week, and preferably two or three, gradually extending the time that you stay in the water,’ says Dr Heather Massey a swimmer and a researcher at the Extreme Environments Laboratory at the University of Portsmouth. One winter culprit is frostbite, which can seriously damage your hands and fingers within five minutes in subzero temperatures. Wearing proper winter gloves is one preventative measure that can help you keep your hands warm and safe from the perils of winter weather.Keep Your Swims Short As your body is adapting to swimming without a wetsuit it’s important not to overdo it too soon. That’s why you should start by sticking to short swims. Even if you feel like you could stay in the water for longer, make sure to limit yourself as the effects of hypothermia can quickly set in.Avoid any temptation to have a hot shower immediately after your cold water swim. This can cause blood pressure to drop as blood vessels open up too fast.Cold water swimmers wear gloves primarily to protect their hands from the numbing effects of the cold water.Much like your feet, your hands are susceptible to cold, and it is important to protect them with proper gloves. Neoprene gloves offer warmth and flexibility, allowing you to maintain dexterity while keeping your hands insulated.
What do swimmers wear in cold water?
For colder water temperatures, a wetsuit is often the most effective way to stay warm and safe. Wetsuits work by trapping a layer of warm water between your body and the suit, providing insulation and buoyancy. The water now feels more refreshing than outright cold, as long as you’re wearing your wetsuit. It might take a while, though, to regain warmth when you come out of the water.Add extra warmth with thick socks, a woolly bobble hat, scarf and gloves. And bear in mind that when you exit the water, your core continues to cool down for the next 10 to 40 minutes so you need to get those layers on quickly to help raise and regulate your core temperature.
Can cold water swimming improve circulation?
Swimming in cold water can help to improve your circulation, strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of injury. Additionally, cold-water swimming can help to reduce muscle tension and improve your overall flexibility. Finally, cold-water swimming can help to boost your immune system. What are the benefits of cold-water therapy? Cold water therapy has been reported to benefit the body in many ways, including: reducing muscle pain and stiffness after exercise, by reducing swelling and inflammation.When you immerse yourself in cold water, your body’s fight-or-flight response is triggered, which releases cortisol – the stress hormone. The more often you take dips in cold water, the more your brain gets used to the cold and lowers these stress hormones.Swimming in cold water can increase your metabolic rate by forcing your body to burn more calories to keep warm. It can also improve your blood circulation by constricting your blood vessels which helps in oxygenating your body. This can help lower your blood pressure and improve your heart health.Stimulates hair and skin health Cold water can help tighten the pores on the skin and close hair cuticles, leading to healthier-looking skin and shinier hair. It’s a natural beauty treatment that leaves you feeling refreshed.Cold water swimming therapy has been shown to help with muscle and joint pain as it helps to reduce swelling and inflammation. Not only can this ease the pain associated with arthritis but it also helps with muscle soreness after physical activity.
What happens to your body after cold water swimming?
The cold can dull your blood pressure response and make you feel dizzy and faint. Now that you are out of the water doesn’t mean you will instantly start to warm up. In fact you will continue to cool, sometimes called the ‘afterdrop’. This period of cooling can potentially last 30-40 minutes after your swim. When winter swimming without a wetsuit, a rule of thumb is 1 minute in the water per 1oC of water temperature, so for those new to winter swimming 2 or 3 minutes is more than enough. Only enter cold water if you can tread water and are a confident swimmer.