Since the beginning of time, humans have had an instinctual connection to water. Without it, society could not exist; the oldest myths, lore and religions are rife with key references to water as life-sustaining and integral to humanity. Swimming pools are a natural extension of this long-standing relationship, offering both leisure and exercise benefits.
In the earliest days, pools were built near rivers, lakes and other bodies of water. Today, modern swimming pools can be found virtually anywhere there is a desire to have access to its healthful and recreational benefits.
Recreational at-home swimming pools are the most common pool type. In addition to relaxation and tanning, these pools also offer the opportunity for low-impact exercise and weight training. Many of these pools are built with a spa attached for added health and wellness benefits.
Most public and private swimming pools are built using concrete or fiberglass. The choice of material depends on price and availability in the builder’s local area, as well as climate. Concrete pools can be sunk into the ground or constructed as a free-standing structure. Fiberglass pools are pre-molded in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They come with steps, benches and swimouts already in place. They can be installed quickly and are relatively inexpensive.
Competition pools are used to train swimmers and host competitive events, such as the Olympic Games. Generally, they are 50 meters (164 ft) long and have special features that reduce swimming resistance and make the pools faster. These include wave-killing gutters, racing lane lines that minimize turbulence, cameras for underwater study of swimming technique and large clocks visible to competitors.