Portable And Permanent Lap Pools

Swimming is a life-long sport. All ages can participate in it. It is low-impact, a great cardiovascular workout and as an added bonus, builds lean muscle. As a result, many health conscious people want easy access to a lap pool without the hassle of a gym membership, or sharing your lane with four other people. There are many great options for having a lap pool right at your own home.

Above ground lap pools: These lap pools have many pluses. They are portable - meaning they can be moved outdoors in the summer, indoors in the winter, or even come with you if you change residences. However, it is probably wise to keep them in the same place as much as possible. They are also pretty inexpensive running around $2500 and can be readily purchased at many sports stores. Above ground lap pools are generally just big enough for one person to swim in comfortably. The dimensions usually run about 7 ft by 28 ft by 7 ft. On the possibility of a down side, only one person can swim comfortably, meaning they are not meant to be used for recreation. However, they are still a great option for someone with limited space and a limited budget.

Indoor lap pools: By this I mean an in ground indoor pool. This is possibly the most expensive option, but also one of the most desirable. Indoor pools are usually smaller than a standard public rectangular pool, usually measuring 10ft wide or less. However, they can be used year round for both exercise and recreation or entertaining. Some people even add bar stools inside the pool. Also, remember the addition of any kind of pool will only increase the value of your home. The cost of an indoor lap pool will vary greatly depending on your location, the size of the pool, what kind of structure you want to build around it and other factors.

Fiberglass lap pools: Fiberglass has many positives. For one the surface is smooth and will not result in cuts or scrapes. This is especially important in a lap pool as you will frequently be touching the sides of the pool and pushing off of them. The fiber glass material also results in lower energy and maintenance bills. The pool will not have to be refinished as a cement pool would be. Therefore, they save you money on several levels.

Vinyl lap pool: Another type of above ground lap pools is the vinyl lap pool. They are also inexpensive, portable, and easy to take care of. With the money you save (by not putting in an in-ground pool) you can even build a deck around it.

Finally, a note about lap pool dimensions. You want to make sure that the lap pool is big enough to fit your exercise needs (especially if you are a tall person). However, dimensions are important for another reason, neighborhood codes. Many neighborhoods have by-laws dictating how large a pool can be, where it needs to be located and a million other little things. So before installing your dream lap pool make sure to familiarize yourself with these policies.