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: Indoor lap pools are an excellent option, and no longer just for the rich and famous. They are in ground pools that can be used for recreation, entertaining, and exercise. These pools are typically smaller than a standard rectangular public pool, typically measuring 10 ft or less (however, you can build them as large as you want to depending on your wants and needs). The cost of these pools will vary greatly. Factors such as your location, the size of the pool, if you’re building a structure around the pool among other things all must be considered.

Fiber glass lap pool: This is probably the best option available for several reasons. Fiberglass is a good finish so that you don’t cut or scrape yourself when turning and pushing off the wall. It is also more durable and will save you money in maintenance and energy costs. Furthermore is will never need to be refinished or resurfaced as concrete pools will.

Vinyl lap pool: This is a specific type of the previously discussed above ground lap pool. Vinyl is a good medium because it is easy to clean and light-weight. As with all above ground pools they are portable. With the money you save by using an inexpensive above ground pool you could even install a wooden deck to make it more aesthetically pleasing.

Lastly, lap pool dimensions are important. You not only want to ensure that you, and whoever else is planning on using the pool have enough room to get a proper work out, but you also want to make sure that you pool follows code. Many neighborhoods have codes which dictate where a pool must be located in the yard among other things. Therefore, before installing a pool, do your research.

Lindsay is an avid swimmer who writes about the best fiber glass lap pool and how fiber glass lap pools can be used in a fitness program.

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