A swim spa makes an ideal above-ground pool. And this one is making a big splash in Dallas.
Here’s a Q&A we did with homeowner “LK”, who purchased a SwimEx resistance pool. She affectionately calls her pool enclosure the “boat house”. She discussed what it’s like to own her own swim spa.
When did you get your SwimEx pool spa?
We got our pool in 2013, and I still swim/work out six days a week. The convenience and versatility of workouts are awesome. It’s really a great product.
Is the pool loud when it’s running?
We built a pool house for ours, so we swim year-round. The room is air-conditioned, and despite the echoes on all the hard surfaces and the tall ceiling, you can easily talk to someone while you are in the pool. The equipment doesn’t make much noise.
Does the noise annoy the neighbors?
The pump motor is smaller than most outdoor pools and therefore is not a bother to neighbors.
Can you slow it down enough to do a lazy backstroke?
The water is adjustable in tiny increments. It can go from 0-99 speeds. We never use the top speed.
Can you slow it down for any stroke?
Yes. For swimming I normally crawl. For cool down, I do a side stroke. I run for 30 minutes which doesn’t require much water speed.
Do you use the pool for exercising?
There are a ton of exercises you can achieve with very little water speed. For instance, I warm up with modified ballet bar exercises and PT exercises on the steps. On the cool down, I stand on the step that is at the front of the pool where the water enters and do calf raises, etc. You can get a great upper body exercise by turning the water way up and holding onto the bar at the front end of the pool. The water current pulls you out as you hold on (great for stretching your back). I do a curl and shoulder exercises by pulling my body weight against the current. It’s an ideal resistance exercise.
The pool is also great for balance, for hip flexors, and you can even use the plyometric boards for side to side movement. The most challenging part is figuring out what current you want for exercising and swimming. After a few days of a little trial and error, I was able to program exactly the right speed for me.
Does the water get too warm for cooling down in?
The water in our pool set up is quite cool. We use the heater in the winter to bring it up to 78°-80°. In the summer, it stays very cool without the heater. In fact, if you stop moving, you get chilled. Clearly you can make the water warmer, but I like the cold water. It is great for reducing foot/calf swelling. (My husband would like the water warmer.)
If the pool is outside in direct sunlight, that will affect the water temp. The pool comes with a cover that is fine for our purposes, but you might want to consider an upgrade for outside use.
Would you recommend a SwimEx pool?
I never thought I’d spend the money on it, as I am incredibly frugal. Many of my friends couldn’t believe we went ‘all out’ and built a heated/cooled room for our pool. Frankly, the cash outlay was a bit scary. Now, I can’t imagine what took so long to take the plunge.
Even when it’s 20 degrees outside, I can walk the 30 steps to the pool house and get a nice work out. What’s more: my back and knees never felt better! Sure I saw the comment that swimming and water aerobics are good exercises. But, these folks haven’t used a SwimEx. The quiet, strong, wide and deep current aren’t just great for swimming, but perfect for effortlessly stretching your spine. Hold on to the front bars and let the water do the work. Then use the back running board to run for the equivalent of miles without any aches or even twinges.
On the mornings after a swim, I ease out of bed without as much stiffness and less aches. While I sure know I’m no longer 20, the difference is remarkable. The current is so quiet and smooth that it is really unremarkable to show off to friends unless they step inside. It’s kind of “ho hum” when you turn on the current and it quietly swishes to the back of the pool. But hop into that pool, and you will be stunned at the smooth current and the endless possibilities for exercising.
Whether you want to work on bad knees, stretch out your calves, perform ballet bar moves in the water, run for miles or swim as long as you can, this pool has you covered. You can even work out your arms, shoulders and core muscles against the current.
Whatever your exercise pleasure, you’ll find it here. One final note, we purchased the drop in exercise platforms in white so we could have more versatility in workouts. It’s well worth the money. The workout stations allow you to really vary your routine. SwimEx is one of the best kept secrets in residential exercise.
I love our pool. I can’t imagine why I didn’t make the decision sooner.
~ Interview by Lucas Saunders and Liz Lecomte
