Share this story, choose your platform!
Staying fit is easier when the water is right outside
Most of us know swimming is good for us. The hard part is actually going. Driving to the leisure centre, finding a free lane, working around public sessions and getting home again can turn a 30 minute swim into a two hour trip.
That’s why so many people ask us about an exercise swimming pool at home. When the water is a few steps from the back door, a morning swim or an evening workout becomes part of normal life rather than a special effort.
In this guide we’ll look at how to plan a pool that is genuinely good for fitness. We’ll cover size and depth, swim jets, swim spas, water temperature and the features that help you keep going week after week.
Who is this guide for?
It’s for anyone who wants to move more and feel better. That might be a keen swimmer, a runner looking for low impact training, a parent who wants the whole family active, or someone who simply wants a gentle daily routine.
Why swimming is such a good way to keep fit
Swimming works almost every major muscle group at once. Your arms, shoulders, back, core and legs all play a part. At the same time, your heart and lungs get a steady workout.
Kind to joints
The water supports your body weight, so there is far less strain on knees, hips and ankles than with running or many gym exercises. That makes swimming a popular choice for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Easy to adjust
You can make a session as gentle or as hard as you like. A slow, relaxed swim can be calming. Intervals and drills can be tough. You can also mix swimming with water walking, aqua jogging and resistance work. Simple kit such as a kickboard, a pull buoy or water weights adds plenty of variety without taking up much room in the pool house.
Good for the mind
Many people find swimming clears their head, and regular exercise of any kind tends to help with sleep and energy levels. The rhythm of the strokes and the sound of the water can feel almost meditative. A short swim before work or after a long day can make a real difference to how you feel.
As always, if you have any health concerns, speak to your GP before starting a new exercise routine.
If you’d like to make the most of it, our guide to lap swimming at home covers pacing, technique and keeping motivated.
Fitness is just one part of the story, and our guide to swimming pool benefits covers the family, wellbeing and lifestyle side too.
Swimming isn’t the only option either, and our guide to pool exercises has easy moves you can try in your own pool.
Planning an exercise swimming pool that fits your routine
The best pool for fitness is the one you will actually use. So before you think about sizes and features, it helps to think about how you like to exercise.
What kind of swimmer are you?
Ask yourself a few honest questions:
- Do you want to swim continuous lengths, or mix swimming with other exercise?
- How often do you realistically see yourself using the pool?
- Will anyone else in the family use it for fitness, play or relaxing?
- Do you swim in the morning, the evening, or whenever you can?
- How much of your garden are you happy to give over to water?
Your answers point you towards the right type and size of pool.
Length for lap swimming
If you love swimming lengths, a longer pool helps you settle into a rhythm without turning every few strokes. Our guide to the lap pool explains how length, width and depth affect the feel of your swim.
Width and depth
A fitness pool doesn’t need to be very wide. A comfortable width for one or two swimmers is usually plenty. A consistent depth that lets you stand comfortably works well for swimming, water walking and aqua aerobics.
Access and steps
Wide steps make getting in and out easy and safe. They also give you somewhere to stretch, rest between sets and cool down after a session. A bench seat along one side is handy for resting between sets too.
Space around the pool
Think about the area around the water as well as the pool itself. A flat, non-slip surround gives you room for stretching, a yoga mat or a few simple bodyweight exercises. Somewhere to hang a towel and leave a water bottle sounds minor, but it makes a routine feel easy. If you plan to train early or late, a sheltered corner out of the wind makes getting out of the water far more pleasant.
Why a one-piece pool works well for fitness
At HiLife we install one-piece pools, swim spas and spas. A one-piece pool is made in a factory as a single shell and then installed in your garden.
For a fitness pool, this has some real benefits. The interior is smooth and consistent, which feels good underfoot and is easy to keep clean. Installation is usually quicker and less disruptive than building a pool on site. Many one-piece pools can be fitted with swim jets, lighting, heating and covers to create a well equipped home fitness pool.
You can explore our full range of pools to see the shapes and sizes available. If recovery and gentle movement are a big part of your plans, our guide to the hydrotherapy pool may also be helpful.
If space is tight, a swim against current pool lets you train properly without needing a long pool.
If your goals lean towards racing, it’s worth reading about how a competition swimming pool is sized and whether you need one.
If you want the water to work for training as well as fun, a sports pool is planned around the way you like to exercise.
Swim jets let you swim without the length
Not everyone has room for a long pool. The good news is that you don’t need one to swim properly.
How counter-current swimming works
A swim jet system creates a steady current of water. You swim against it and stay in the same spot, a bit like running on a treadmill. You can turn the flow up or down to suit your pace, so a gentle swimmer and a strong swimmer can both use the same pool.
Why people love it
- You never have to turn, so you can swim continuously
- A shorter pool takes up less of the garden
- The current can be adjusted for warm ups, steady swims and harder efforts
- It’s great for practising technique
For many families, a compact pool with a good swim jet makes an excellent home fitness pool. It gives you proper training in a much smaller footprint.
Getting the most from a swim jet
Start gently. Set the current low, focus on a smooth stroke and build up over a few weeks. Try short intervals, such as a minute of steady swimming followed by a rest on the steps. Many people are surprised how hard a well set current can feel. If you are planning an exercise swimming pool around a jet, it’s worth trying one before you decide, so you know how the flow feels.
Our article on the swimming pool with jets looks at how these systems feel to use day to day.
A swim spa can be a smart alternative
If space or budget is tight, a swim spa is well worth considering. It combines a swimming area with a strong current and, in many models, a separate warm spa area for relaxing.
What a swim spa offers
- A counter-current for swimming and resistance training
- A warm water zone for recovery and relaxation
- A smaller footprint than a full size pool
- Year round use thanks to its insulated design and cover
A swim spa can make a great exercise swimming pool for couples and families who want fitness and relaxation in one place. Our guide to choosing a swim spa or a pool compares the two in more detail.
Exercising in a swim spa
Beyond swimming, a swim spa is a handy space for aqua jogging, resistance band work and gentle stretching. Some people use tethers to swim in place with the current turned off. After a workout, stepping into the warm spa area helps tired muscles relax.
For anyone asking what is a hydropool, it’s a close cousin of the swim spa, and our guide explains the differences in plain terms.
Water temperature and comfort matter more than you’d think
You are far less likely to swim if the water feels cold. Getting the temperature right is one of the most important parts of planning a pool you’ll actually use. An exercise swimming pool that is too cool in spring soon sits quietly under its cover.
Warm enough to enjoy
For steady swimming, many people prefer water that feels fresh but not chilly. For gentle exercise, water walking or recovery, slightly warmer water tends to feel nicer. Your heating system can be set to suit how you use the pool.
Heating and covers
An efficient heat pump and a well fitted cover work together to keep the water warm. The cover also reduces heat loss overnight and keeps debris out, so the pool is ready whenever you are. We’ll give you a realistic estimate for your pool rather than a one size fits all figure.
Swimming through the seasons
With good heating and a cover, many UK families swim outdoors from spring well into autumn. A swim spa or an enclosure can extend that further, so you can keep your routine going for much of the year.
Making your home fitness pool easy to keep up
A pool is only good for your fitness if it is easy to use. A few simple things make a big difference to whether you keep swimming.
Keep it ready to go
An automatic cover, a robotic cleaner and good filtration mean the water is clean and warm when you want it. There’s nothing more off-putting than having to spend half an hour clearing leaves before you can swim.
Light it well
Many people exercise early in the morning or after work, when it’s dark for much of the year. Good underwater and surrounding lighting makes evening swims safer and much more enjoyable.
Build a routine
Set yourself small, realistic goals. Perhaps three short swims a week to start with. Track your time or number of strokes. Swim with a friend or family member now and then. Small habits add up quickly. Try mixing things up too. One day might be steady lengths, another might be drills with a kickboard, and another might be water walking with a friend. Variety keeps things interesting and works your body in different ways.
Look after the water
Balanced water is more comfortable to swim in and kinder to skin and eyes. If you handle pool chemicals, always follow the label, wear gloves and eye protection, never mix products, and add chemical to water rather than water to chemical. Keep swimmers out until the water is balanced and store chemicals away from children and pets.
Exercise swimming pool questions we get asked a lot
How long does a pool need to be for fitness swimming?
It depends on how you swim. Longer pools suit people who love swimming lengths, while a shorter pool with a swim jet lets you swim continuously in less space.
Is a swim spa good for exercise?
Yes. A swim spa has a strong adjustable current for swimming and resistance work, plus a warm area to relax afterwards. It’s a popular choice for smaller gardens.
Can I use my pool all year round?
With good heating and a cover, many people swim outdoors for much of the year. A swim spa or enclosure can help you keep your routine going in colder months.
What depth works best for exercise?
A consistent depth where you can stand comfortably suits swimming, water walking and aqua aerobics. We’ll help you choose the right depth for how you plan to use it.
Do I need planning permission for a fitness pool?
Many garden pools don’t need it, but every property is different. It’s always worth checking with your local council before you start.
How much maintenance does a fitness pool need?
With a cover, good filtration, a robotic cleaner and regular servicing, day to day care is fairly light. We offer aftercare and servicing to keep everything running smoothly.
Let’s plan your exercise swimming pool together
A pool at home can transform the way you keep fit. It removes the excuses, fits around your life and gives you a calm, healthy space to swim, move and recover.
If you’d like to talk about your ideas, we’re here to help. We’ll listen to how you like to exercise, look at your garden and give you honest advice and a tailored quote.
Call us on 01483 323 676 or email hello@hilifepools.co.uk for a friendly, no-pressure chat, or get in touch online and we’ll come back to you.
