All Pools Are Not Created Equally: How to Select A Pool That’s Best for You! (Part 1 of 4)
What do you (or should you?!) look for when selecting a pool to use? In Part I of our series, “Not Created Equally,” we’ll outline the attributes we recommend you consider before joining a new pool community.
Maybe you’re new in town and hoping to resume your water fitness regimen… Or maybe your doctor has encouraged you to find a pool for exercise. In some areas of the country, you might not have many local pools to pick from. However, if you’re lucky enough to live in water-loving Santa Barbara, you have dozens of options — pools at athletic clubs, country clubs, and retirement communities, plus free-standing aquatic centers, like the Los Banos del Mar Pool and Anderson Aquatics.
Most folks start to narrow down their choices by considering the pool’s cost to join and location, followed closely by the amenities offered. Are towels provided? Are there diving boards and slides for the kids? What about lounge chairs for sunbathing and a nice warm jacuzzi that overlooks the ocean? Are hair dryers and bath robes provided in the spacious locker rooms? Is parking ample and free?
If your goal is to find a pool for the kids to splash in or to sit poolside with friends or a good book, then yes, consider the amenities! But if your goal is actually fitness-based, we would encourage you to consider some additional factors before basing your decision solely on amenities (and not just because our tiny old aquatic center from the ‘70s can’t compete with those large, corporate-owned athletic clubs!).
While we will discuss the importance of the instructors’ experience/certifications and quality of programming in future blog posts, here are some attributes that are worth considering when selecting a pool.
INDOORS OR OUTDOORS? Indoor pools may shield you from the elements – a definite plus during times of rainy, windy, or cold weather. In sunny southern California, indoor pools may be ideal if you want to reduce your UV exposure, too. However, indoor pools can’t compete in terms of ventilation, and an outdoor pool may be optimal if you have asthma or other respiratory issues.
POOL SIZE. If you’re a lap swimmer, you’ll certainly want to consider the length of the pool and how many lanes are available for your use. Small pools may not allow lap swimming or may require use of a swim tether to stay in place (similar to running on a treadmill). The size of the pool may offer some insight into the size of water fitness classes, too. A “large” class at a pool like ours is limited to 8-10 clients, while a typical class at a YMCA pool may have 30-40 students in a class.
POOL DEPTH. Depth may not matter much for swimmers, but it is something to consider if you’re interested in “other” pool activities. For example, if you intend to use the pool for water walking, or if you have a fear of deep water and can’t swim, you’ll want to make sure there is plenty of space to move at a depth of 3.5 - 4 feet. If you desire access to deep water (for suspended exercise or deep water traction), look for a pool that’s at least as deep as you are tall. With a buoyancy belt or noodle, you should have enough space to keep your feet off the floor.
WATER TEMPERATURE. Not all pools are heated (which may be okay if it’s the middle of summer in Florida!), so you will want to check the average water temperature when selecting a pool to use. Many lap pools and public pools are heated to 78 - 82 degrees, while pools at retirement centers and therapy pools may be kept at 86 - 92 degrees. Warmer water is often ideal if the air temperature is cold or if you have joint arthritis or chronic pain. Very young children also tend to prefer warmer water.
SANITATION METHODS. Chlorine is, by far, the most common method of disinfection for swimming pools, as it is inexpensive (compared to other chemicals) and very effective. Many pools use supplemental copper, UV, or ozone sanitation systems, too, which may reduce the amount of chlorine needed to maintain safe sanitation levels. Saltwater pools are another option and have become increasingly popular despite their high cost of maintenance. Saltwater pools are still technically chlorine pools, as they use electrolysis to convert salt to chlorine (rather than adding liquid chlorine or chlorine tablets to the water). If you’re allergic to chlorine, you may want to look for a bromine pool. However, bromine does not work as well in sunlight, doesn’t have the same oxidation power as chlorine, and is much more expensive, so it’s typically used for hot tubs and very small pools.
FUN FACT: Liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) leaves behind approximately 15ppm of TDS (total dissolved solids) in 10,000 gallons of water. This adds up over time, making the water taste & feel “salty” and sometimes tricking swimmers into thinking they’re in a saltwater pool.
ACCESS. If you have difficulty with stairs, you’ll want to think about the way you’ll access the pool. Again, not all pools are created equally: some have stairs, others simply have ladders. Some have ramps or “beach” entries, and others do not. Fortunately, all public pools are required to have a chair lift (for ADA compliance)... just make sure it’s in good working order!
HOURS/RULES/POLICIES. Checking the pool’s hours is a no-brainer, but we encourage you to review the aquatic center’s policies, too. Aquatic centers may differ in their rules for children (i.e. no kids allowed, kids allowed only with an adult in the water, or kids allowed only if an adult is on-site), their permission to use of ankle weights in deep water, and their policies for hypoxic training (underwater breath holding). You’ll also want to find out if the pool has lifeguards on duty… shockingly, many local athletic clubs do not!
Recently we saw a social media post where one of our clients implored a friend with an ankle injury to join her for a “dance” in our pool. The friend responded: “No way… I need my own feet to be on the ground… not floating in a cold pool!” This simple, honest statement reflected several common misconceptions about pools: specifically, they must be cold and they’re best used for swimming and floating. As aquatics professionals, we are on a mission to change the perception of water fitness and educate the public about the benefits of water exercise. All pools are not created equally, so look for one that meets your unique needs!
Content provided on this website is for informational and educational purposes only; it does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding your health conditions and prior to initiating an exercise program.
