Q&A for How to Prepare for Your First Adult Swim Lessons

Using a pool noodle is a great way to help get the correct body positions in the water. You can use it for a back or a front float. Pool noodles help you stay at the surface level of the water.

Anything that covers your ears will help. Both earplugs and a swimming cap will help keep water out of your ears.

Double-strap swim goggles usually have the most secure fit. They should be adjusted so that the top strap is situated across the top at the back of your head and the bottom strap is across the base of your skull.

I have the same problem and I find it easier to relax and move my arms slower and kick faster. My instructor told me that I could breathe out as much as I can in the water and when I come up I can take as long of a breath out of the water as I wish while still kicking. That method has helped me.

Try turning your head to the side instead of lifting it straight up. The movement of lifting your head up instead of turning it to the side is what forces your legs down. In freestyle, try to think of your spine as a pivot point. All of your motions need to rotate around your spine. By rolling your body to the side as you reach your hand forward to continue the stroke, you should be able to turn your head for some air while keeping your body parallel to the bottom of the pool.

It is never too late to learn how to swim. It just takes a lot of practice, but once you get the hang of it, it will be really fun! Swimming is a very important skill for both fitness and survival. I've seen people who are middle aged that still are learning how to swim.

A moisturizing cream is best because chlorine dries out the skin quite a bit. Don't use oils before you swim, because they rub off in the water and could contaminate it.

You can buy goggles and then ask your local optician to fit lenses into them.

Try lifting it outside of the water, and then when you succeed, try it in the shallow end. Get your swimming instructor to help you.

Yes, you definitely can.

Have your instructor tread water beside you, holding the floater. If you feel like you are drowning, signal the instructor to give you the floater.

Find a coach or teacher who will patiently help you through this phase. Request this at your pool. United States Masters Swimming has a program to help adults to learn to swim, called ALTS. Experienced adult swimmers, many your age, volunteer to help adults learn to swim. Go to the United States Master Swimming website, click on Learn to Swim and Fitness, and then ALTS.

Yes, you can. Concentrate on the straight leg kick "from the hip". Don't bend your knees!

That's okay! Don't be afraid to take lessons just because you're a little older. Just search online for swimming lessons in your area and sign up for one. It's an important skill to have.

6 lessons is nothing. I mean, well done and everything, but it will take more like 30 swimming sessions to build up some endurance and to hone your technique. Do what you can as often as you can; after a while you will find it becomes easier, and you can increase the distance. Stop before it hurts too much, though. Building muscles will strengthen your back, just don't strain yourself.

Yes, there are many para- and quadriplegics who swim. At first, you may want to use a floating device to keep your legs up; that reduces the drag your legs create when swimming. But once you've got the basics down, you won't need anything at all, as your speed will brings your legs up, reducing drag. You'll need some specialized and personalized tips as to how to use the change rooms, shower, access and exit the pool itself, or how to turn back around once you reach the edge of the pool. Many pools have a lift to lower you into the water, for example.

This depends on the swim style, but start with the Superman drill (search for tutorials on YouTube). This will help you see how to rotate your head while swimming which will allow you more control over your breathing.

Yes. Swimming is a light intensity training, so it puts little stress on your heart. Life guards and teachers appreciate that you tell them these things before you go in, so they can keep an eye out for you and act faster should anything go wrong. But really, it's perfectly safe.

You may find some helpful advice in wikiHow articles Overcome Your Fear of Learning to Swim and Overcome a Fear of Swimming .

Start by entering the water without your armbands, but stay in the shallow end. Do this until you feel comfortable walking to the deep end (until you can barely touch the bottom). Once you're comfortable here, you're good to go!

Yes, it's called a body suit. Some cover your head, but not face, and they cover your feet. Some others have pants that go down to your ankles, but don't cover your head.

Try to think about something else before you go to sleep. For example, reading a book may help you. Do not worry about the sessions -- the coach or tutor is only there to help you get better.

Usually not for everyday swimming, but competitive male swimmers do wear them during meets.

You can easily work on both at the same time without taking a step back in your training.

This is normal. Sometimes telling someone this can be helpful. Take time to get used to the water. You can start by sitting at the side of the pool, with your legs in. Afterwards, you can climb into the shallow end of the pool. You can hold onto the side of the pool if it makes you feel better, but in the shallow end you should be able to stand up. Try to focus more on enjoying yourself than your fear.

A bag in which to store your clothing, including shirt and pants, bra, swimming goggles, swimsuit (fit your body size), swimming cap, locker keys (as some swimming pools have lockers to store your belongings) and shampoo to wash your hair afterwards. Change into your swimsuit the moment you step into the swimming complex, and go to the restroom before you swim.