Neighborhood vs Sport Pools?
 

Hi,
I am fairly new here and want to start using the pool for light exercise. I am reading a few posts that mention swimming or exercising is not encouraged at the neighborhood pools only at the sport pools, could this be correct? I am not a "swimmer" who needs lanes or anything formal, so I am confused if I can use my neighborhood pool without unwelcome stares??

If true, this would be the oddest thing I have encountered, a pool that is not meant for swimming.. ;)

I do my version of an hour of water aerobics every morning in my neighborhood family pool-now that its a little cooler, I am often the only one in the pool. Occasionally other like minded exercisers are doing their own thing. The friendly rec center attendant will occasionally come out to chat. On warmer days, the sun worshippers come later, towards noon, to lay out. Its absolutely fine to exercise; you may not be comfortable if the pool was full of people just relaxing, but I haven't ever seen that in my neighborhood. Come and enjoy! With a hundred pools to choose from, you will find your favorite.

Most of the neighborhood pools are not designed for lap swimming.

But no one says you can't try. Just don't be upset when the "loungers" are in your way...

If you want to do stationary exercises or even some with movement across the pool, no one will care...

Typically many folks exercise by walking back and forth in the neighborhood and Family pools in the mornings. In the afternoon it might be more difficult because more people are lounging around and floating around in these pools.

I personally have not seen too many people swimming laps in these pools because of the length. But it is possible.

The neighborhood pools are not for swimming whether "formal" or not "formal". The sports pools are for swimming laps. The neighborhood pools are more for relaxing. Many people bring noodles to hang on to so they can just float around and take in the sun and socialize while floating around.

There will be some people that walk in the neighborhood pools but I don't think that activity is really meant for neighborhood pools either. The sports pools are for walking besides swimming laps. Most times, "combo swim" in the sports pools has the pools set up so half is used for laps and the other half for walkers with no lanes in.

All pools are for swimming, but...
 

when too crowded you won't be a priority...that's what the sport pools are for...and yet if you go early/late you'll likely find 0 to very few folks using the pool and swimming will likely be okay.

Anyone who says swimming isn't allowed in rec/neighborhood pools most likely doesn't know the only music allowed per the rules is in the rec center pools is supplied by the villages radio station. No music allowed in the adult pools. If you do and someone asks you to turn it off and you do not don't be surprised when you get a visit from the VCDD rep. You don't have the right to make others listen your choice of music.

Agree about no music in the neighborhood pools. Actually, it is just common courtesy to listen to your own personal music through head phones or ear buds.

It is also common courtesy to not carry on a conversation with someone in the pool while you are in a lounge chair. Shouting happens and that is not nice to subject those who wish to relax at the pool. I speak from experience so I'm not making this up.

Yes, that is correct.

I think that people that dont feel swimming pools are not meant for swimming are way off base.. In many pools people huddle in circles for hours which i personally think is a misuse of swimming pools. Ive witnessed groups of people that move nothing but there fingers in a huge circle while doing nothing more than gossip about every thing under the sun. Sorry but some have turned swimming pools into there own personal sauna. Ive seen groups stand in one place for hours noting that none have even taken a restroom break. Pools are meant for cooling off from the sun, and swimming in a pool should be a more natural instinct more than just washing.

There are too many negatives in that sentence for us to understand what your point is.


I guess your idea of a fun day is to sit and watch people standing in the pool. To each his own, I guess.

I always wondered why the pools don't have showers outside to wash off before and after. Human soup I call it. I would think you can swim in the community pools only if you aren't near other people who really don't care if they bump into you.

There are showers to rinse off under(not private ) but it is the nasal passage clearing in the pool that is disgusting. Also ear plugs are a necessity and not to keep water out of the ears

Oh, don't you know? It is perfectly ok for a group of "waljers" to walk abreast from side to side but if a person wants to "swim" a few laps these same people get upset. I understand if the pool is crowded that you shouldn't be swimming laps in a neighborhood pool but, when there are just a few walkers, a swimmer should have the same rights.

I've seen people swimming not just laps from one end to the other, but in different directions to get their exercise in.
I think if you go early (8am ish) the pools are pretty empty.
:bigbow::bigbow:

If the neighborhood pool is packed with people and you are trying to swim laps, I would suggest not doing laps.
If it’s you and another person - I would think you could swim laps.

I know, the neighborhood pools aren’t made for swimming laps - but they are a rectangle - you can swim from one end to the other. I don’t think Michael Phelps lives in TV.
Same with exercise - I see a lot of folks walking, jogging, jumping - my opinion, it’s better that they are moving in the water vs sitting at home on their IPad.

there is a lot of standing and " coffee klatching" at the neighborhood pools. It is also very " clicky". There is no room to walk ( you have to walk around these people) much less swim. I found this out when I first moved here and went to the local pool. The sports pool is the place to go to walk ( and there are specific times when "combo swim" is available. Check the rec news in the back for a listing of all sports pools and their schedules. BTW, combo swim means lanes are available to swim on 1/2 of the pool and walking in the other half. Also, sports pools are only available to residents.....NO kids. NO guests. and you must be over 30. If in doubt, on the wall of all pools are the rules and regulations posted. It might be a good idea to read them.

Wow you must be the one who told this to the op. You can swim and exercise in any of the pools. You may have trouble swimming laps because other people are walking back and forth when this happens I swim from side to side with them. I do this everyday. The sports pool have dedicated lap lanes for more serious swimmers but there are no rules saying you can’t swim or exercise in any of the pools.

Absolutely not true!I swim nearly every day and asked the women to move out of the way as I do my labs. They don’t need to be in a circle gossiping in the middle of the pool. They are quite rude, and I don’t think they even realize they are taking up the whole pool. My husband put them in their place. Good luck.

Laps not labs!

Do they move? If so, how is that being "quite rude"?

Some may consider "putting them in their place" as being rude...

Just ask nicely. If they refuse, a well place "cannon ball" will get their attention! :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Pools
 

Reading all of these comments reminded me why I moved to my second Villages home..with my own pool!

Can we come over and stand in the middle of your pool and gossip? :1rotfl:

There are many pools to choose from. Having lived in two different areas of the Villages I have found some adult pools packed shoulder to shoulder with people talking while at another the adult pool was monopolized at various times by folks walking back and forth. In these cases it was impossible to swim or exercise. Most sports pools have scheduled "combo swim" which leaves about half the pool open for various types if exercise while the other half is set up with lanes for lap swimming. Just try out a pool here or there. You will find a pool and schedule that meets your needs.

That depends on the type of swimming. Neighbor pools are not designed for swimming...........

When swimming Freestyle stroke, markings on the bottom of the pool are essential so you don't slam into the wall at the end of the pool. Neighborhood pools do not have any lane markings on the bottom or the sides of the pool. Neighborhood pools also don't have the lane markers. When swimming backstroke, neighborhood pools do not have overhead flags to "signal" when the swimmer is approaching the end of the pool. That can be damaging to the swimmer if you hit your head on the wall of the pool.

Breast stroke works in a neighborhood pool because at least you can see where you are going. The "dog paddle" is another swimming stroke that works in a neighborhood pool because the swimmer can see where they are going. That can be fun too.

I don't know how anyone can seriously swim laps in a neighborhood pool. I tried it in an empty neighborhood pool just as a lark. Even swimming the long distance of the pool, between the push off and getting to the end of the pool, I would be able to get in about three strokes. That sort of defeats the purpose of lap swimming. The sports pools are designed for lap swimming, not the neighborhood pools.

Swim all you want in your neighborhood pool, particularly early in the morning (7:30 AM). I do, and I'm usually the only one there.

They were there first and will win the battle when somebody from the Rec Dept comes out after the phone call. Laps are for the sports pool when the neighborhood pool is crowded.

Please If your walking in a swim lane and a lap swimmer shows up move to the walking side of the pool.

if you go to the pool at 7am you'll have no problem doing laps lengthwise or sideways, jumping jacks, you name it....too damn cold for most people

Tried the local pool once since I got here. Big stationary circle of sunhats, noodles and gossiping. How I miss my own personal lap pool. Can't see myself using the pools here.

If you really want to swim ,just like any exercise you will find a way like many others who.do .I don’t use the pools ,but why are you criticizing people who are enjoying themselves in the community pools and I emphasize the word Community and if you miss your own lap pool feel free to buy one FYI I always wear a sun hat when I’m walking in the afternoon doesn’t everyone?lol