<p>My H and I are destroying our knees on the treadmill and want to start swimming again but it’s tough to fit a daily visit to the Y into our schedules. Do these endless pools really work? They’re kind of expensive but if D1 opts for a scholarship . . .</p>
<p>I don’t have one, but speaking as someone who is a current and long-time (decades) lap swimmer, I cannot imagine liking one of those. Lap swimming already has a built-in monotony to it, since you’re already limited by the pool and the length of [usually] an olympic pool-- so one has to devise ways to keep it interesting-- ie, varying the workout with different strokes, ways of counting the number of laps-- whatever. One thing that keeps me at it, too, is seeing the same lap swimmers every week at the same pool-- it’s like a friendly little community of year-round swimmers. I don’t know these people, including the lifeguards, outside the pool, but it is a community, and they all know when you miss a few days. So, I like that-- it’s definitely part of what motivates me. It is tough to fit in swimming (or any exercise) on a daily basis, but I think you just have to carve out the time. Anyway, bottom line is I can imagine that an “endless pool” would not get --or keep-- me (or anyone) motivated-- at all. Probably not helpful, but I suggest biting the bullet-- get up an hour earlier and get to the regular pool on a regular basis. :)</p>
<p>Most places that sell Endless Pools allow you to go try it in the store for a few swims. When I did that, I loved it–but we never figured out where it would go.</p>
<p>Oh, and if it’s just a knee thing, I suggest checking out the various elliptical machines. I love my Octane machine–variable stride length.</p>
<p>I have knee stuff and LOVE my elliptical…</p>
<p>Sorry mammall, but your post made me laugh. In my mind I picture you saying to guests (with nasal tone), “Here is our Endless Pool. We opted for this rather than putting Muffy through Yale…”</p>
<p>I have a friend with one, and she loves it…has had it for over ten years.</p>
<p>When we moved to Seattle area, we lived in an apartment complex with an endless-pool like jet built into their swimming pool. It was pretty good for me who specializes in breaststoke :), but I could not imagine how anyone can swim fly and crawl stroke in these!</p>
<p>If you have home shows in your area, your local spa and pool companies might have their variations of swim spas on display. Last year Seattle Home Show featured several of these with high school swimmers demonstrating their skills in the swim spas! The one we really liked with very smooth laminar current was close to $40K :(</p>
<p>Bay, I can fantasize a bit can’t I? She’s registered for Bulldog Days so I kind of think it’s moot at this point.</p>