Aquatic Exercise – Why You Should Be Exercising In a Pool

There are many benefits of swimming including relaxation, pain relief and, of course, exercise. While it’s no secret that hitting the pool is an excellent way to get the heart pumping and burn some calories, there seems to be a misconception that aquatic exercise is primarily for the super-fit triathlete training for his or her next race or use as aquatic therapy for older populations suffering from arthritis.

But what if you fall somewhere in between? Will a water workout still be beneficial and a good use of the little training time you have?

The answer: Yes!

The benefits of exercising in water are numerous and offer something for everyone, no matter what age or level of fitness.

Reduction of Stress Placed on Joints

The natural buoyancy of water reduces the impact, or stress, placed on joints. Exercising in water allows you to get a great workout while reducing the amount of ware-and-tear placed on your body. Even though you may not suffer from sore joints or other degenerative symptoms now, our bodies are machines, and just like all machines, daily use and stresses accumulate over time, eventually tiring the system increasing the chances of future injuries, aches and pains, and loss of range of motion. We only get one body, so it’s important to protect it now!

Safe & Effective Way to Increase Resistance

Thanks to a wide variety of pool exercise equipment, running, cycling and other exercises aimed at increasing overall strength can be performed in water. The water provides an additional source of resistance without placing direct loads on delicate joints and is a safer way to overload muscles (which is how our bodies get stronger) compared to wearing weighted vests, etc. All-in-all, working out in water is a fun and effective way to make your workouts tougher and can make you faster out of the water without the risk of injury.

Stay Cool While Working Out on Hot Days

This is a perk that is especially beneficial for those living in places where summer temps can become unbearably hot. Taking your workout session to the pool will help your body stay cool and help prevent hyperthermia, a condition where the body can no longer regulate its temperature resulting in dangerous overheating. So the next time you want to workout during the hottest hours of the day, take it to pool!

And if you have sore muscles after a tough work out, be sure to hit the hot tub to relieve tired and achy muscles!

Check out some of these water exercises you can do in the pool that don’t require any additional equipment!

The AqquACTIVE Stationary Exercise Bike for Your Pool

The AqquACTIVE Bike is a stationary exercise bike designed for use in home, community and commercial swimming pools. One of three pieces of aquatic exercise equipment made by Aqquatix, the AqquACTIVE upright exercise bike is recommended for fitness training, rehabilitation exercises or just for fun.

The AqquACTIVE pool bike is popular among those suffering from arthritis, joint pain or any other number of musculoskeletal injuries because it allows for a low impact exercise that is effective, safe and fun. When doing aquatic exercise, the water buoyancy lowers the risk of stress-related injuries especially in the joints, as it allows the muscles to work their full range of motion.

Its innovative and functional 316L stainless steel frame design provides stability and durability without making the bike too heavy to safely move in and out of the pool.

The amount of resistance provided during the workout comes from the water as well as the built-in adjustable resistance that you can tailor to your personal fitness and comfort levels.

The AqquACTIVE Bike Features:

• Perfectly balanced, well-designed bases with four PVC suction cups to ensure maximum stability
• Rubber wheels attached to the base allows the bike to be lowered into or removed from the pool easily

• Adjustable resistance which allows aqua cycling at different levels of effort
• Multi-position handle bars
• Fully customizable handle bar and seat positions
• Slide-in foot pedals

Product Specifications:

• Material: Stainless Steel
• Size: 26 x 48 Inches
• Water Depth: 40 to 55 Inches
• Weight: 43 Pounds

It is recommended that you remove the bike from the pool when not in use, and if used in a salt water or thermal pool, be sure to rinse thoroughly with fresh water to avoid build-up of chemical deposits and residues.

Check out this video to see the AqquACTIVE in action!

For more information or to order the AqquACTIVE Bike, visit www.thepoolguystore.com.

Solar Breeze Automatic Swimming Pool Surface Skimmer

The Solar Breeze is a one-of-a-kind, technologically intelligent automatic pool skimmer that harnesses the power of the sun to keep your pool free of leaves, bugs and other surface debris. With the Solar Breeze pool skimmer, you can say goodbye to hand skimming and effortlessly ensure that your pool is always swim ready.

This powerful pool surface skimmer easily moves along the surface of your pool removing leaves and other debris that has made their way into your pool. Use the Solar Breeze on a regular basis to minimize required cleaning and lessen the demand placed on your pool filtration system by stopping debris from sinking to the bottom of the pool. Reducing the burden placed on your pool filter means you save on energy costs and reduce the amount of wear-and-tear placed on your expensive system.

It is able to operate on solar power alone, and is also equipped with internal storage batteries, completely eliminating any required electrical connections and operates on hundreds, if not thousands times less energy compared to competing pool cleaners.

The Solar Breeze doubles as a pool chemical dispenser; it can hold two 3” tablets.

Check out the full features of the Solar Breeze:

• Robotic, solar powered pool skimmer
• Easy on-off switch
• Powered by two solar panels
• Evenly dispenses pool cleaning and sanitizing chemicals as it removes surface debris
• Able to reverse its way out of corners and move seamlessly along pool walls
• Capacity: can hold about 2x what a traditional skimmer basket can hold
• Easy slide out tray for easy debris disposal

To use the Solar Breeze, once it is fully charged, simply switch it ‘on’ and drop it into your pool. And the best part is, you will not need to remove the cleaner from your pool to be re-charged. It will charge each day while in the pool.

If you already have or are working towards having a “green”, environmentally- friendly pool, the Solar Breeze is a no brainer.

Check out this video for a full product review and to see the Solar Breeze in action:

Read what real-life customers have to say about the Solar Breeze by clicking here.

If you have any questions about the Solar Breeze or would like more information, please visit us at www.thepoolguystore.com.

The Solar Breeze ships for FREE from The Pool Guy Store.

Jandy AquaLink® RS OneTouch™ Pool Controller Review

Advanced pool and spa controls like the Jandy AquaLink RS OneTouch allow you to customize your pool and spa equipment with the touch of a single button. The AquaLink RS OneTouch pool control system houses its advanced technology within a compact, sleek, and fully customizable control panel that will easily blend into any home decor.

The AquaLink RS OneTouch system has the ability to command 31 auxiliaries, filtration systems, chemical automation, precision temperature settings, pump speeds, diagnostics, and multiple mood settings for maximum user control.

Other features include:

• OneTouch feature allows for a “set it and forget it” experience
• Manage water temperature, jets, cleaner, lights and heater from anywhere
• Sensors ensure automatic freeze protection
• Heater cool down and system lockout modes protect expensive equipment
• Scheduled activation of cleaning equipment functions helps maximize energy savings
• Automatic and efficient filtration cycles allows for more play and relax time
• Switch from pool to spa with a touch of a button or schedule a set time
• Control various water features with the touch of a button

Other optional control features allow for further customization. You can choose to control your pool and spa settings from inside your home or from any Internet device. The AquaLink RS OneTouch works with web-enabled mobile devices to monitor, adjust, and program your pool’s equipment.

The AquaLink RS One Touch pool and spa control system utilizes recent software enhancements that allow for even further customization. Now you can increase your energy savings by activating seasonal adjustments which automatically optimize your filtration and purification based on your specific seasonal needs.

The Pool Guy Store offers the AquaLink RS OneTouch system in a wide range of sizes with various optional features so it’s easy to find the one that fits your needs. If you have any questions about the AquaLink RS or need help deciding which configuration model is right for you, please visit us at www.thepoolguystore.com for additional information or to speak with one of our experienced representatives.

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Product Spotlight: BioGuard Pool Closing Chemicals

Once you’ve decided to close up your pool for winter, you’ll realize that it’s not as simple as throwing a cover on it and calling it a day. You’ll need a variety of winterizing chemicals and products to ensure that your pool will still be in great shape come spring and summer. That’s why the BioGuard line of pool closing chemicals and products are a great option for pool owners because they provide you with a great selection of products that all work together to keep your pool in tiptop shape over the winter.

BioGuard Arctic Blue Shock

This off-season winter pool shock from BioGuard should be your first step in effectively winterizing your pool. The Arctic Blue shock restores water clarity and acts as an oxidizer, buffer, and clarifier all through the winter season. The BioGuard off-season shock works with all pool surfaces, and it will make your job that much easier when it’s time to reopen!

BioGuard Winter Algicide

A bottle of BioGuard Winter Algicide will be your best friend this winter by making sure you don’t have to deal with unsightly, hard-to-clean algae in your pool when you reopen it for the summer. The BioGuard algicide formula is more affordable than other products, and it’s also non-staining and non-corrosive so the chemicals will fight off algae without harming your pool surface.

BioGuard Winter Floater WP

This silk winter floater from BioGuard has a unique design that ensures two ½ lb. chlorinating sticks will stay well below the winter cover line throughout the off season. This will provide your pool with a continuous chlorination during the winter, keeping your pool clean and sanitized. This product in particular is best used for white plaster pools only.

BioGuard Arctic Blue Algae Protector

The Arctic Blue Algae Protector is another anti-algae product that helps prevent algae growth of all types during the winter. The BioGuard formula is designed to be used in chlorinated or brominated pools and can be used in pools of all surface and filter types. You won’t need to do any mixing or pre-dissolving with this product before using it.

BioGuard Arctic Blue Winter Kits

To get more for your money and to save time picking out all of your individual winterizing chemicals, just order one of these BioGuard Arctic Blue Winter Kits. These kits are available in two different sizes, one to treat 12,000 gallons and the other to treat 24,000 gallons of pool water. Each kit contains the Arctic Blue Algae Protector, the Arctic Blue Shock, instructions on how to winterize your pool, and coupons for valuable savings!

All of these products and more are available at The Pool Guy Store! Check back for frequent tips and updates on pool maintenance, spa living, and all things pool and spa related!

Winterizing a Pool Vs. Keeping a Pool Open for Winter

For pool owners faced with the inevitable coming of winter, they must decide whether to winterize the pool and close it up for the season or keep it open and operate it all year around. Both options entail a number of advantages and disadvantage. To learn more about which winter option is best for you, read on about the pros and cons of winterizing a pool and of operating it all year round.

Winterizing Your Pool

Pros:

If you don’t want to have to worry about maintaining your pool during the months that it won’t be swimmable, then choosing to winterize and close your pool for the cold weather season may be the right option for you. Winterizing a pool refers to the process of thoroughly cleaning it and adding in special winterizing chemicals to keep your pool in good shape while the cover stays on all winter.

As mentioned before, the main benefit of winterizing your pool is not having to maintain it throughout the cold weather season. Plus, shutting down your pool system for winter, which includes clearing all of the water out of the system’s pump, means you won’t have to worry about frozen or bursting pipes when the temperature drops below freezing.

TIP: Pools located in areas where extreme winter climates are common will mostly likely be better off being closed down for winter.

Cons:

However, there are some negatives involved with closing the pool for winter that all pool owners should take into consideration before making a decision. For one, a lot of work is involved with cleaning out and closing down a pool system for winter. If you are doing it yourself, you’ll need to set aside a good amount of time to completely and thoroughly clean the pool and to make sure every drop of water is removed from the pump system. On top of that, you should expect to spend some more time reopening the pool in the spring once the weather permits.

Operating Your Pool All Year Around

Pros:

After reading about winterizing your pool and the lack of maintenance and cleaning you’ll have to do throughout the winter, you may have jumped to the conclusion that winterizing is the right option for you. However, there are many advantages to keeping your pool open all year long. Even when the water is too cold to swim in, pools look beautiful all year around. Imagine the still, crisp blue water of your pool surrounded by a blanket of white snow—sounds stunning, right? Just because your pool can’t be used for recreational purposes doesn’t mean it can’t still serve an aesthetic purpose.

Even though keeping a pool open for winter means maintaining it all season long, the weekly cleanings will be much less time consuming than the preparations involved in closing the pool down completely and then having to reopen it again for the spring and summer. Constant maintenance means you won’t have to deal with algae accumulating on the pool floor, which can sometimes take several days to clean up when reopening for spring.

TIP: If you live in a warm region where below freezing temperatures are not extremely common, definitely take advantage of it by operating your pool all year around!

Cons:

As could be expected, operating a pool all year around is more costly when it comes to electricity. In order to avoid bursting pipes due to frozen water in your pump, you’ll have to keep the pump on continuously throughout the winter. This can lead to at least several hundred extra dollars based on 4-6 months of extra usage. Plus, winter weather is often unpredictable, so in cases where your home loses electricity completely during below freezing temperatures, you won’t have any control over those pipes freezing up and potentially causing damage to your pump system.

Check back for more information and guidance related to your pool and spa needs brought to your by The Pool Guy Store!

How to Choose the Right Pool Heater

Getting the most out of your outdoor paradise means keeping the water warm enough to enjoy for as much of the year as possible. To keep your pool water heated during colder weather, or even just to boost water temperature on summer nights, consider installing a swimming pool heater as part of your pool system. There are three main types of pool heaters you can choose from:

Gas Heaters

Compared to any other type of swimming pool heaters, gas heaters by far have the cheapest price tag. Gas heaters also have an advantage over other types because of their ability to quickly warm up pool water. In fact, gas pool heaters are the fastest type of pool heater compared to others mentioned here. Since gas heaters burn propane or natural gas to create heat, they operate independently of outside air temperature or water.

On the downside, gas heaters are expensive to install and to operate ($500-600/month) and have a lifespan of only about 5 years. Gas heaters are best suited for pool owners in more extreme cold climates who want to keep the water heated the majority of the year.

Electric Heat Pumps

Electric heat pumps work much like central air conditioning systems. Rather than removing heat from inside your home to keep air cool, heat pumps take heat from outside air and use it to pump into your pool water to keep it warm. However, it doesn’t have to be 80°F+ outside for this to work. Electric heat pumps can extract useful energy from outdoor temperatures as low as 45°F. Advantages of this type of pool heater include lower operating costs (only $50-$150/month), high energy efficiency, and longer lifespan.

Unfortunately, these highly efficient heaters come with a hefty price tag. On average, an electric pool heater will run you between $2,000 and $4,000 big ones. And while they can still extract heat at temps as low as 45°F, if you live in extreme colder climates, this option would not be the best fit for your pool.

Solar Heaters

The last type of pool heater you can consider investing in is a solar powered heater. By far the most environmentally friendly, a solar pool heater will cost you ZERO additional monthly operating costs once installed! Plus, their lifespan is between 15-20 years, so you can count on it to be a reliable investment. This is the most environmentally friendly option since it uses renewable resources and emits no pollution.

But as you might have guessed, solar technology will cost you big time. How big? Anywhere between $4,000 to $7,000. Solar heaters are a great option for pools located in warmer, milder climates as they will be less reliant on a secondary pool heater during the winter. Since the solar panels take up a large portion of flat space, this option is only suited for pool owners with large enough roof configurations to install the panels.

Finding the right heater means taking into consideration not only cost, but also climate, lifespan, heating speed, and many other factors mentioned above. For more information about which pool heater is best for you, get in touch with us at ThePoolGuyStore.com, and we can help you find what you need from our great selection of products. Happy swimming!