I don't know how to swim

Not sure if this belongs in this specific group...

But I'm looking to finally learn how to swim. I'm 26 and living here in Washington, D.C.

Does anyone have any leads on this?

Specifically, what kind of adult beginner courses should I be looking for?

Thanks in advance.

I'm fairly certain those classes are still running; a friend of mine actually took one a few years back. I believe she went to the pool over at the Youth center, so you might want to give them a call there to get the full rundown.

You can still learn how to swim while you're young.
It’s never too late, I guess.🙂

If you were a woman, I’d actually take the time to teach you properly.
But since I know you're a man, I'll just give you a bit of advice instead.
Tuck a swim ring right under your arms—around your waist area—and it'll eventually float up on its own; then, just focus on exhaling slowly and steadily every single day... eventually, you'll either learn how to swim, or you won't. 😁
Just make sure you stick to the shallow end and keep a close eye on the lifeguard, just in case.

I’ve seen swimming lessons and clinics offered right next to hotels and resorts that employ activity coordinators.
Usually, these sessions take place early in the morning, while the beaches—or the pools—are still relatively empty.

I’ll post here, irontiger25 won't be mad 🙂

Is there a course (or even just a website) for learning how to ride a bike as an adult (28 years old)?
My husband tried teaching me this fall, but it was a total bust. It sucks when people stare and make comments as they walk by, like—"loooook at thaaaaaat one!!!"

I used to claim that I didn't care what strangers thought, but apparently, I was lying to myself.😳

There’s also one over at Madison Square Garden 😁

Thanks for the heads-up..........

Emily Myers78 said:I’ll just stay quiet here, I know irontiger25 won't be mad at me. 🙂

Does anyone know if there’s an actual course—or even just a decent website—specifically for learning how to ride a bike as an adult? I'm 28.
My husband tried teaching me this past fall, but we didn't get anywhere. It’s honestly exhausting dealing with people staring and making those obnoxious comments as they walk by, like, "Oh my god, look at her over there!"

I used to pride myself on being thick-skinned and not caring what strangers thought, but apparently, I was lying to myself. 😳

😁 I suspect such formal programs don't really exist. 😢

If you want my two cents, though—find a very gentle slope, something barely noticeable, and just try coasting down it. Don't worry about pedaling yet; just let the bike roll with your legs out to the sides. The whole trick is simply getting a feel for the balance. That’s exactly how I finally figured it out 😁 , much later than most people my age.

Betty Bennett10 said:Look, here’s a tip—find a gentle slope, something really mild, and just try coasting down it on your bike. Don't worry about pedaling; just spread your legs out and focus on finding your balance.

The second I even think about touching a pedal, I'm wiped out!😁

You’ve got nothing in your gut

Emily Myers78 said:As soon as I even attempt to touch the pedals—it’s game over!!!!😁

Hmm, I honestly can't recall my own struggle with the pedals; for me, the real hurdle was just maintaining balance, 😁 which I eventually managed after endless attempts coasting down gentle hills. Don't throw in the towel just yet.

Emily Myers78 said:I'm going to hide out here—don't get mad at me, irontiger25... 🙂

Does anyone know of a class (or even just a website) for learning how to ride a bike as an adult? I'm 28.
My husband tried teaching me this past fall, but it was a total disaster. It’s honestly so humiliating when people stare and make comments as they walk by—like, "loooook at her over therrrrre!!!"

I used to swear that other people's opinions didn't bother me, but apparently, I was lying to myself. 😳

Try learning via the internet. 🤣 😂
Honestly, this belongs in the Guinness World Records.
But okay, let's be serious for a second—even if it sounds ridiculous...
Just use training wheels.
I once saw a guy riding a motorcycle with training wheels—it was a complete joke. 🙂 😂 🤣
But hey, if he can pull it off, why can't you?

Learning to ride a bike online? Heck yes! 😬
Or are you following Severin’s "Verizon is useless" ideology too? 🙂

What I actually need from the internet is a specific METHODOLOGY for teaching someone my height and weight how to ride.
It's easy enough to balance a tiny kid's bike while staying upright, but keeping me steady on a heavy-duty mountain bike once I start leaning? Even my dear 🙂
couldn't pull that off.

I've been considering training wheels. 😳 I spend way too much time overthinking this and not nearly enough time actually doing it.

Emily Myers78 said:Learning to ride a bike via the internet? YES PLEASE! 😬
Or are you also subscribing to Severin’s whole "Verizon is garbage" ideology? 🙂

What I actually need from the internet is a specific METHODOLOGY for teaching someone of my height and weight how to ride.
It’s one thing to balance a tiny little kid’s bike while standing upright—easy enough—but keeping me balanced on a full-sized mountain bike once I start leaning... well, even my partner hasn't managed that... 🙂

I’ve been considering training wheels.
I spend way too much time overthinking this and not nearly enough time actually doing anything about it. 😳

Personally, I think hands-on instruction is infinitely more effective than anything you'll find online.
When it comes to adults and dieting—or in this case, riding—an adult should theoretically find it easier.
But kids definitely pick it up faster, simply because their reaction times are better.
They just adapt to new movements and learn much quicker.
I'm pretty sure there's some video somewhere of a bike with three or four wheels that actually leans into turns, too.
Just try a quick Google search—I've stumbled upon all sorts of weird pedal-powered vehicles before.
Here is one more solution that might actually work:
Have someone give you a lift on a tandem bike, or maybe a small moped.
At least until you get the hang of it.

I guess I’m glad I know both sides of it, but honestly, learning to swim feels way more straightforward since you can take it one step at a time. I don't see why anyone couldn't pick it up. I mean, the human body just floats. You basically just have to stop fighting it or you'll sink 🙂

As for the bike, it’s really all about just committing. I think the best way is to start by scooting along, gradually increasing the time you spend gliding without touching the ground, then eventually trying to steer with the handlebars instead of using your feet to keep balance. That part is definitely the hardest, but hey, that's what practice is for.

I remember when I was nine, learning on a little local soccer field. I could go straight pretty well, but once I tried to turn, I realized the field wasn't wide enough and ended up slamming right into a pole on the sidelines 😁

Anyway, irontiger25 and Emily Myers78, just be brave. Most importantly, don't let fear get to you. Billions of people manage to do both, so I'm sure you guys can too. 👍

I’ve been through three different banks myself, and I still haven't mastered swimming. Plus, I hit the coast twice a year, yet I still can't learn.
I actually took two classes once, but let's just say I have zero natural talent.
Anyone who thinks learning to swim is a breeze is seriously mistaken.
It's not about being afraid of the water or being overweight—it's just that even when I try to stretch out my arms and legs to push off, nothing happens.
At this point, you really just have to dive in and see if it sticks. All we can do is point you toward some local classes here in the States; beyond that, it's up to you.

Look, if my grandma was out there learning how to swim again after she hit 65, I’m pretty sure you can handle it too.🙂

We were out in the ocean with her, and she wasn't even doing anything—no splashing or flailing her arms and legs around, she just... relaxed.

And we didn't have to go diving to the bottom to find her.😁

Jeremy Flores10 said:I’ve got accounts at three different banks and I still can’t swim any better than she can. Plus, I’m at the beach twice a year, and there’s zero chance I’m suddenly gonna pick it up.
I even took classes (twice), but I'm just totally untalented.
So, anyone thinking learning to swim is easy is seriously mistaken.
It's not like I'm scared of water, and I don't weigh 300 lbs. It's just that even if I can stay afloat, actually kicking and moving through the water? No way.
In your case, you might just have to try it and see if it sticks. We can't really help you much other than telling you where the local classes are held, and that's about it.

The human body floats. Yours included. It isn't about being talented; it's just basic physics. I'm pretty much useless at every sport and physical activity known to man, but I can definitely float on the ocean—assuming I don't freeze or someone doesn't push me under 😁.

Basically, all you have to do to float is nothing. 🙂 Just lie in the shallows—on the sand, obviously—lay your head back, and fight the urge to sit on the bottom. Take a deep breath, hang out there, and you'll see there's no way you're sinking. Once you realize you can just lounge on the surface without touching the floor, you'll be swimming within a few days.

It’s mostly mental. And honestly, swimming—especially diving—is an incredible rush.