Swimming notes

The Alcatraz Swim is not for novices. Swimming, thanks to its low impact and full body exercise, is an ideal way to get in shape, lose weight, and do everything else that Men's Health tells you to do. However, swimming almost always costs money, compared to jogging/walking, so here are some local places you can do it on the cheap (sort of):

1. Silliman Center, Newark: 510- 578-4620, Mowry Blvd @ Cherry St. The nicest public pool complex in the Tri-Cities. Adult fees are $7 drop in, season and multi use passes available. Discounted rates on passes for Newark residents. Indoor, open year round. Check website for lap swim hours.
I have swam several times at this pool, and if you can afford it, it is worth it for lap swimming. They have a hottub, and zero edge gutters. At least one pace clock. Lanes are divided by ability, and everyone knows how to 'circle swim' if it gets too crowded. Also, during lap swim, all the 'water walkers share one lane. The morning lap swim hours are usually the least crowded. The fees do seem to be going up, though.

2. Milpitas Sports Complex: (408) 586-3225. 1325 E. Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas. $5 drop in visit, multi use and monthly passes also available, with discounts for Milpitans.

3. Dan Oden Swim Complex, Union City: 675-5485. 33901 Syracuse Avenue, Union City. Lap swim is $3 per person, but I don't know if the rate is higher for non Union City residents. Multi use pass available.

4. Fremont Aquatic Center, opening this May in Fremont's Central Park, adjacent to Lake Elizabeth. More info to come.

5. 24 hour fitness. The San Leandro 24, located adjacent to the BayFaire Center on Hesperian, has a very nice 25 yard 4 lane indoor pool. I have never had to wait more than 15 minutes for a lane. The pool users seem friendlier and more advanced than Hayward, which is only a 20 yard pool. Locker room is spacious. Unfortunately, like all gyms, etiquette for circle swimming is non existent, everyone splits a lane. In an upcoming post, I will review the following 24 hour locations, where I have often exercised. Here they are ranked in my personal preference for Tri City residents:
1. San Leandro (by far)
2. Newark
3. Fremont-Paseo Padre
4. Hayward
5. Fremont-Irvington

Coming soon: will have some general advice on how to write your own workouts, and how to pace yourself.