r/Swimming • u/aknomnoms Moist • Jul 21 '26

Beginner question: pool etiquette?

I’m taking a beginner swim class and have gone to the pool at my gym to practice on my own. It’s only 3 lanes, and the first 2 times I went there was either no one or only 1-2 other people.

But all 3 lanes were full today and I got kind of “told off” for accidentally cutting in line to be next for a lane, and when I apologized and asked what the system was they didn’t give me an answer except “wait your turn”, and then I spent 40 minutes waiting but no one got out.

So, in general, what is pool etiquette when you show up and all the lanes are full?

  1. If all the lanes are busy, how do you let others know you’re waiting? And do you stake claim on one lane, or just take the next available?

  2. What’s a commonly accepted amount of time to continue using the lane, if you’re not sharing, when you know someone is waiting?

  3. In a gym setting, does it matter which lane I get in if lane sharing doesn’t seem to be a thing?

I appreciate any insight. Thanks!

Mods - this was edited to be broader in scope because you removed my earlier post saying it was too specific to my gym. Thanks.

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u/arosiejk Jul 21 '26

One of the gyms I go to has a sign that says “no lane splitting.” Everywhere else, I ask if I can split the lane.

If I see someone standing around on the pool deck, I offer to split the lane.

I try to swim for 30 minutes when I get to swim. I don’t care if someone wants to walk or swim in the same lane.

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u/SquashAny6790 Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26

Do they mean “no lane splitting" because they expect lane sharing via circles? I've never been anywhere where they expect you to stay out the pool unless perhaps the lane is very congested with circle swimmers maybe an upper limit of lane sharers but where I go they limit the session attendance anyway.

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u/arosiejk Jul 21 '26

I didn’t ask. When I ask relevant and specific questions of LA Fitness employees I don’t usually get answers. That specific gym has very narrow lanes.

2

u/SquashAny6790 Jul 21 '26

Aah with very narrow lanes maybe it's basically impossible to share.

5

u/arosiejk Jul 21 '26

It’s probably also because it seems rare that many people are more than very casual (at the times I go).

There’s a pool at a nearby university that has a lot more structure. I know they have circle swimming and a masters group. I’m hoping to check that out after I get my form and speed better.