The Lap Pool - A Perfect Way To Exercise
The benefits of swimming as a form of exercise are well documented. And of course we all know swimming is fun as well. But for most people, having a swimming pool in their backyard or home is simply out of financial reach. Or perhaps there just isn’t enough space available. That’s where the lap pool comes in to solve both problems.
Lap pools can be either short, about 5 or 6 feet where you swim against massaging jets of water, or full length. And no matter which one you want, you’ll get a workout that is almost perfect every time you use it.
The most obvious benefit is to your heart. Swimming provides a great cardiovascular workout. Your heart rate goes up much like it does while jogging on a treadmill, around a track or through the neighborhood. Two good things happen here. You increase your endurance and heart health while at the same time burning calories to help you stay trim.
But swimming has one huge advantages over running. Because it is low impact, you will not have the aching knees, feet, joints and back that many people feel after a lengthy run. There’s no constant pounding, yet you still get all the fitness benefits that running can provide.
But there’s an additional benefit to swimming. The water provides resistance, and that means an increase in your strength and muscle definition. It’s similar in some ways to resistance training by lifting weights. That’s why so many Olympic level athletes now make swimming a part of their daily workout. The good news is that you don’t have to be an Olympian to get identical fitness benefits.
I won’t kid you into thinking that a lap pool is inexpensive, but it certainly will cost less than putting a huge traditional pool in your back yard. It will also take up less room. And if you go with one of the small models where you swim against a stream of jets, you can probably find room in your home. An indoor pool means you won’t have to worry if it’s cold or raining, you can still get your exercise every day.
A full length in ground pool lap pool in your back yard however also has the advantage of giving you a place to entertain. An above ground model won’t be as attractive, but it does give you portability. If you decide to move to another location, you can always take it with you. Plus the size of a lap pool means they are easier to clean and maintain, and as less expensive to run than a traditional pool.
What exactly do you want from your exercise? Chances are you want a cardiovascular workout to burn calories, but one that won’t hurt your joints because it’s low impact. You also want to tone your muscles and increase your strength through resistance training. A lap pool will do all of the above. Add in the fact that it’s low maintenance, doesn’t cost too much, is attractive and can fit just about anywhere, and you have exactly what you need. And best of all, it’s so much fun you may even forget you’re exercising.