Swimming pools can be a great addition to your home, especially during those summer months when they can serve as an excellent way to escape the heat. There are a variety of pool options available in the market today. They can be chosen depending on the availability of space and also the purpose they are going to be used for. Following is a comprehensive analysis of two types of pools- plunge and lap pool. The plunge and lap pools are compact in size, which makes them quite affordable to install and maintain when compared to larger pools.
Plunge Pools
Plunge pools, which are also known as dipping pools, are cold-water pools that are smaller in size. They measure around three to five meters in length and two meters in width. They have been in use since the time of the Ancient Romans, and have been extensively used in Chinese medicine as well. There are many therapeutic benefits of plunging into cold water, which many athletes and swimmers swear by.
A plunge pool can be a separate unit or come attached with an in-ground pool that is larger. It is usually bigger than a spa but smaller than a typical family pool made of fiberglass. They are mainly used for the purpose of aquatic rehabilitation and relaxation. The plunge pools are perfect for low impact exercises and for recovering from injuries as they have a flat bottom and a shallow depth of only 1.5 meters.
Owing to their compact size, they can provide all the benefits of a pool in a smaller space. They can be installed in many areas like in an enclosed area in the home or by a fence, where a traditional pool might not fit.
Plunge Pool Functionality
A plunge pool works pretty much the same way a traditional pool does. They are generally installed in-ground and usually have the same kind of pumps and filters that are found in larger swimming pools. However, there are above-ground alternatives available in the form of fiberglass resin and concrete models as well. There are two main functions of a plunge pool-
- Relaxation: Plunge pools are a great option to cool off on hot summer days. They also give the families a place to enjoy and play in the water. To get added relaxation, one can install jets like those found in a jacuzzi. This can turn a simple plunge pool into a massage pool.
- Rehabilitation: Many athletes and swimmers use plunge pools for aquatic rehabilitation. The cold water in plunge pools has therapeutic benefits which aid in recovery. They can also be used for low-impact exercise. In addition to this, one can turn the plunge pool into a space for swim training by adding resistance jet machines.
Benefits Of A Plunge Pool
Plunge pools come with many benefits, as a result of which they are becoming extremely popular these days. Some of these are:
- Less Space Requirement: Because plunge pools are smaller in size, they can fit in the smallest of places where a traditional pool might not. They can be installed on the patio or deck as well.
- Minimum Maintenance: Plunge pools can be taken care of very easily, as the smaller size ensures that fewer leaves and debris find their way into the pool. Any kind of build-up can be easily removed with the help of a small vacuum or a skimmer net. Besides, these pools can be easily covered without any kind of rollers.
- Cost-efficient: Plunge pools can help in saving money in the long run. They use significantly less water when compared to regular pools, and also use lesser chemicals for sanitizing the pool water. In addition to this, you can also save on the associated running costs of filters, pumps, and heaters owing to the compact size of plunge pools.
- Lower Installation Fees: The installation costs of plunge pools are much lower when compared to regular swimming pools as there is less digging and clearing required. It also uses fewer construction materials.
Lap Pools
Lap pools are mainly used for health and fitness purposes. They are usually long and narrow, measuring around 6 to 10 meters in length. Lap pools are usually rectangular in shape, with a depth of around 2 meters. The depth of these pools can often be customized on the basis of individual preferences, and they can reach up to 75 feet in depth. Most experts recommend a depth of 3.5 feet so that the hand and feet are not scraped on the bottom while swimming. For doing laps, a pool needs to be at least 4 feet in depth.
Lap pools are used for two main types of purposes. While serious swimmers use it to practice laps, they are also useful for those people who are looking for a pool option that can fit into a narrow backyard. Although lap pools are installed in-ground, they can be built above ground as well. They are unlike traditional pools as they do not have a shallow end or wide steps to get in and out of the pool.
Types Of Lap Pools
Most lap loops are narrow and rectangular, with the only variables being in the form of length and width. Since they are already narrow, most pools do not come with steps or they only allow for only narrow steps. This is done so that the swimming area is not restricted.
Lap pools come in the following options-
- Concrete
- Vinyl
- Acrylic sheet
You can include other forms of customization in your lap pool in the form of saltwater variant, chlorine pool variant, and also those which can be heated up. Another excellent addition could be a hot tub.
Benefits Of Lap Pools
Lap Pools come with many advantages. Some of these are:
- Suitable for shallow and narrow backyards.
- Ideal for lap swimmers and athletes
- Requires less space than the conventional in-ground swimming pools
- Can be easily installed
- Can be customized with resistance current, swim jets, and heating.
