Do You Really Need to Be Super Fit to Dive?
One of the most common questions we hear at Abyss Scuba School is: “Do I need to be really fit to learn to dive?”
It’s an understandable concern — after all, you’re carrying equipment, swimming, and exploring a whole new environment. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be an Olympian to enjoy the underwater world.
Us at the dive site
The Myth
Scuba diving is only for the young, the athletic, and those with six-pack abs.
The Fact
What really matters is that you’re in reasonable general health, comfortable in the water, and able to swim a short distance. That’s it. You don’t need to run marathons, bench press double your body weight, or be a competitive swimmer.
Before starting any PADI course, you’ll complete a medical questionnaire to make sure diving is safe for you. If you answer “yes” to certain health questions, you may need a GP’s approval — but this is about safety, not excluding anyone.
Fun beach dive
Diving is for Everyone
At Abyss, we’ve seen:
Children as young as eight enjoying our PADI Bubblemaker and Seal Team programmes.
Adults of all ages trying diving for the first time through Discover Scuba Diving.
Nervous swimmers building confidence step by step in our heated indoor pool.
People of all abilities benefiting from the calm, supportive environment diving creates — something we also champion through our Alternative Provision programmes.
Scuba really is for anyone with curiosity and a sense of adventure.
How Equipment Makes It Easier
Modern diving equipment is designed to make life underwater simple and comfortable:
Buoyancy Control Devices (BCDs) help you float effortlessly at the surface and glide underwater with minimal effort.
Drysuits and wetsuits keep you warm, even in UK waters.
Fins give you power with less energy, making swimming easier than doing lengths in a pool.
Lightweight modern gear means you’re not carrying as much as you might think.
At Abyss, we stock and service trusted brands like Cressi, Apeks, Aqualung, XDEEP, and Fourth Element, so you can dive with confidence in equipment that supports you, rather than weighs you down.
Diver using DIVEVOLK
The Real Fitness Requirement
To enrol on a PADI Open Water course, the fitness “test” is simple:
Be able to swim 200 metres (or 300 metres with fins, mask and snorkel) — no time limit, no style requirement.
Be able to float or tread water for 10 minutes.
That’s it! No fitness drills, no stopwatch.
Safety First – Step by Step
We’ll never throw you straight into the ocean. Training begins in our warm, clear pool, where you can take your time, get used to the equipment, and build confidence. Our experienced instructors are with you every step of the way — and thanks to our pool’s unique viewing window, family and friends can watch your progress too.
freediver
Ready to Prove the Myth Wrong?
If you’ve ever thought diving wasn’t for you because you’re “not fit enough” — think again. The underwater world is waiting, and it’s far more accessible than you might imagine.
👉 Why not book a Discover Scuba Diving session in our heated pool and see for yourself?
Contact us today to take your first step beneath the surface.
