Basics

Question
Hello!  I'm glad this is anonymous because I am embarrassed to ask such a simple question.  I have started again to swim in a health center pool, and want to know exactly how to count "laps."  Is a lap a round trip across the pool, or just from one side to the other once?  THANKS.

Answer
Ken--
Not necessarily a simple question, there is some personal opinion, but basically however you want to count your laps.  Most people consider a lap a "round trip" or two lengths of the pool.  Keep in mind the length of the pool when you are looking to go a specific distance and count your laps accordingly.