I learned to swim when I was 22 months old, and I grew up with a pool in my backyard. So even though I (foolishly) quit swim team in elementary school, swimming has always been relatively easy and natural for me. When my family was living in Brussels, I would swim laps every day at a pool where I couldn’t communicate with anyone (except by hand gestures… which is how I figured out a swim cap was required). But even so, I can get a little freaked out when I’m going to a new pool. And I know just the thought of swimming laps is super intimidating to many people.

If you’re one of those people, I’m hoping I can help you get past some of your reservations about swimming. Why? Because swimming is great for cross-training or an every day workout; it doesn’t hurt your feet or knees; you don’t get all hot and sweaty; and being in the water can be very relaxing. Plus, it’s still the month of resolutions, right? Resolve to smell like chlorine in 2012.

Reservation/excuse No. 1: I can’t swim.

Obviously this is a legitimate problem. There are many different versions of “I can’t swim” — ranging from “I would drown if I fell out of a boat without a life vest within 10 feet of land” to “I can only swim a few laps without getting really tired” — but my recommendation for almost all of them is to look into swim lessons.

Many pools offer adult lessons, and if you don’t see it as an option on their website or class flyer, you should call and ask. Lessons are a must if you really can’t swim at all, and they can give you more confidence in the water if you know how to swim but need help or are scared.

But, if your version of “I can’t swim” is “I can’t remember how to do butterfly properly” (or something similar), you probably don’t need lessons. Not having perfect stroke technique or having trouble swimming long distances is not the same as not knowing how to swim. The only way to get better is to practice. And there is no rule that says you can’t just do breast stroke (or side stroke, or back stroke, or whatever) forever. Just promise you don’t start out swimming somewhere without a lifeguard or anyone else around, OK?

2. I’ve never swum laps/I’ve never been on a swim team.

I never ran track or cross-country, but I am allowed to run, right? So why should you feel intimidated because you haven’t been on a swim team?

Swimming laps is challenging if you’ve never done it before (or if you haven’t done it for a few years), but that’s OK. Just be sure to start off slow, and don’t feel bad about taking breaks. You can think of it like the run-walk method of learning to run long distances.

The breathing is probably the hardest part, so if you’re doing the crawl you may want to try not kicking so hard (so you don’t get tired as quickly). You can also try other strokes. I used to do laps and laps of breast stroke (and nothing else) until I finally managed to get the breathing down for the crawl.

You may also want to try a swimmer’s snorkel. My dad has one and he loves it. It solves the breathing problem and lets you focus on getting yourself through the water. You can always ditch it later.

3. I don’t have a pool at my gym/in my neighborhood/at my house.

As long as you aren’t a civilian living in Jacksonville, N.C., you can probably find a decent pool within a reasonable distance. Lots of YMCAs and community centers have pools (and are generally not too expensive), so I might start with your city or county’s website. You can also search here for pools all over the world. I will warn you, though: If you are picking a gym for its pool, make sure the pool is large enough to swim laps and isn’t always occupied with water aerobics classes, children’s swim lessons or random enormous old people floating around on pool noodles (seriously). See if you can get a free week of membership and try it out.

4. I don’t have the right bathing suit.

Seriously? My “lap swimming” bathing suit — for at least a year — was a purple velvet triangle top and matching boy shorts. Any swimsuit (or pair of lined workout shorts, if you’re a dude) that covers your naughty bits and stays in place while moving is fine (a good elastic waist that sits tight against your body is key for the bottom half. String bikini bottoms and/or board shorts are not recommended).

And if you need to buy a new one? It’s cheaper than a pair of running shoes, and will probably last longer. Try an outlet store or an online retailer like this, or motivate yourself with this awesome suit. And make sure you get some goggles, too.

5. I’m too pale/fat/hairy/old and I don’t want to look silly.

First off, it’s highly unlikely that you are paler than me. Second, it is extremely (EXTREMELY) unlikely that you will be the fattest/hairiest/oldest person at the pool, unless you are literally a 90-year-old obese gorilla. But even if you are, who cares? Most of the people there are going to be so focused on their own issues that they aren’t even going to notice you (unless you are really hot, in which case they may talk to you).

If you’re really worried about it, get a flattering bathing suit, shave and use some fake tanning lotion (at least a day beforehand, please!). You’ll realize it doesn’t matter as soon as you get to the pool.

6. I hate sharing lanes.

Me too. The other person is always too fast or too slow, or they stop too much or they don’t stop enough. Or they crowd you and you kick the lane line and hurt your big toe (this happens to me more frequently than you would expect). But usually you just have to suck it up.

If you want to avoid having to share lanes, call the pool ahead of time and find out when they are the most crowded and when they have swim lessons or swim meets. Those are the times you should avoid, because that usually means fewer lanes for regular lap swimmers. I actually don’t have to share a lane that often, and I am very haphazard about when I go.

If you are the one who is going to be getting into a lane with someone else, I recommend standing or sitting at the end of the lane and asking first. Some people prefer splitting the lane (one person swimming on the right, the other on the left), while others prefer circle swimming (this is a necessity with 3 or more people in the lane). I would also try to find someone who swims at about the same speed as you do (although I find this hard to judge). But it can also be really easy to split a lane with someone who is just running/hopping/Rockette-kicking their way up and down the lane. Regardless, be polite. You don’t own the pool. Unless you do. In which case you shouldn’t have to worry about this at all!