Looking for a new discipline that combines physical fitness, mental strength and fun? Swimcross lets you take advantage of the pool while outdoing yourself, thanks to courses based on three dimensions:
- in water,
- on water
- and out of the water.
Find out all you need to know about this new discipline.
What is swimcross?
Launched by Récréa in 2017 in association with Speedo, swimcross is a new discipline that is practised in an aquatic environment, but not only. As its name suggests, swimcross is a mix of crossfit, fitness and swimming. However, it stands out for one extra criterion: fun and enjoyment.
A session lasts an hour on average and consists of an intense, athletic sequence. Outside the pool, you perform basic movements such as push-ups, squats and sit-ups. Once in the water, you complete a course on inflatables. Finally, you’ll finish off with a body-supporting workout in the water, on a floating mat. In short, a swimcross session could be likened to a bootcamp session.
Who is swimcross for?
Unless a doctor advises against it, anyone can take part in swimcross: amateur or professional sportsmen and women, lovers of water games, fitness enthusiasts, or those who simply want to combine sport and fun. However, it is important to be comfortable in the water to practise this sport, although the coach will adapt the exercises to suit the level of each participant.
How does a swimcross session work?
Before jumping into the water, the session always begins with a briefing where the programme is presented and the course and teams created. Everything is supervised by a coach who is a qualified swimming instructor and sports teacher. The aim is to improve one point at a time at each session: kicking, apnoea, squats, etc.
As with all sports, the first step is a warm-up to prepare for the big challenge. The warm-up lasts ten minutes and alternates between swimming and poolside exercises. It can be done solo or as part of a team, and is done gradually to prepare the body. After the warm-up, the exercises and different courses follow.
Out of the water
On land, this event involves lifting and carrying loads (water bottles, weights, kettlebells, etc.) from point A to point B, by walking, running or even crawling. There may also be sessions of climbing, jumping on lorry wheels, weight training on bars or other exercises similar to crossfit.
In the water
In the water, you’ll do a series of immersion exercises. You’ll dive to pick up weights from the bottom of the pool, jump through hoops, cycle, pull a rope or even lift weights.
On the water
On the water, you’ll do a series of other exercises such as maintaining your balance on a floating mat and squats. You’ll have to overcome a number of obstacles, including inflatables where you’ll have to jump into the water to re-emerge and continue the course, slides, nets, toboggans and ropes.
The exercises performed may never be the same for each session, the aim being to vary the sessions as much as possible, without falling into a routine. Each session ends with stretching, followed by a debriefing with the swimcross coach and the team.
What are the advantages and benefits of Swimcross?
Swimcross, like crossfit and most sporting disciplines, builds both physical and mental strength.
Although it can be practised individually, most people form a team during a session. It’s the shared obstacle course as a team that builds everyone’s spirit, with mutual encouragement, laughter and exchanges. Once you’re in a team, you won’t feel so tired.
Swimcross works every muscle in the body, from head to toe. The different exercises benefit the whole body: sheathing, breathing, balance, endurance and cardio. So it’s a complete physical workout. What’s more, when you’re in the water, you burn more calories, which also improves your physical health.
Finally, swimcross is risk-free. Being in the water considerably reduces injuries and muscle soreness, and relieves back pain. In the water, the muscles are put under considerable strain by the resistance exerted by the water, but there is no risk of impact, which is reassuring for many swimmers.
Practicing swimcross
What outfit to wear for swimcross?
Above all, swimcross is a sport where you move around and have fun. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, as a simple bikini might not stand up to the various exercises you do. So it’s important to choose the right clothing for both swimming and land-based exercises: shorts and bra for women and lycra shorts for men.
The aim is to be comfortable in your outfit and to make sure that it can withstand the various exercises you will be doing. You won’t be able to take full advantage of the discipline if your outfit is uncomfortable or doesn’t fit.
And to carry your swimcross gear, choose a waterproof, compartmentalised pool bag to separate your wet stuff from your dry clothes.
Where can you do swimcross?
As Récréa is the originator of swimcross, the discipline can be practised in one of their 60 aquatic centres throughout mainland France. You can also check out the swimming pools offering aquatic activities to see if they offer swimcross. For the moment, swimcross is offered in centres where the coaches have been specially trained for this new discipline.
For occasional sessions on your own or with friends, it’s a good idea to keep up to date with the latest news in this discipline. Swimcross events are held all over France. While regular sessions are often held indoors, the land-based part of one-off sessions is often held outdoors.
